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Diversity Fellowship Program (Research), OCLC, Dublin OH

Posted March 17, 2014

OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. is a nonprofit, membership, computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purposes of furthering access to the world’s information and reducing information costs.  Tens of thousands of libraries around the world use OCLC services to locate, acquire, catalog, lend and preserve library materials. We are currently seeking candidates for a Diversity Fellowship Program (Research) position at our Dublin, Ohio office.

 

 

Research fellow has the opportunity to work on OCLC Research projects associated with the Advancing the Research Mission and User Behavior and Synthesis Activities.

 

  1. The User Behavior and Synthesis Activity area includes several projects.
    1. Visitors and Residents project (http://www.oclc.org/research/activities/vandr/): This is a collaborative project that is funded by JISC and Oxford Universities in the UK and OCLC. The study utilizes the visitors and residents principle described in the University of Oxford’s Technology Assisted Lifelong Learning (TALL) blog, which hypothesizes that neither age nor gender determines whether one is a visitor (one who logs on to the virtual environment, performs a specific task or acquires specific information, and then logs off) or a resident (one who has an ongoing, developing presence online). This work will increase understanding of how learners engage with the Web and how educational services and systems can attract and sustain a possible new group of lifelong learners. The trans-Atlantic partnership will support comparison of students’ digital learning strategies in different cultural contexts. The project will be in its final phase, which will require quantitative and qualitative data analysis and dissemination of research findings. The results can influence the development of OCLC and member organizations’ systems and services.
    2. Cyber Synergy project (http://www.oclc.org/research/activities/synergy/default.htm): This is a collaborative project that is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and Rutgers University to investigate the possibility of seamless collaboration between knowledge institutions such as libraries and the Social Q&A (SQA) community. This project will require quantitative and qualitative data analysis, dissemination of research findings, and development of models for virtual reference and SQA services to initiate new collaborative library services. The project will be finalized in fall 2014 so there will be many opportunities for analysis reporting, and dissemination, including publications.
    3. European Union grant proposal: Develop a grant proposal using the Visitors & Residents framework to study the use of mobile technologies in European countries and to develop anticipatory library applications. We will partner with approximately 5 European countries in this proposal. If funded, this project will require quantitative and qualitative data analysis, dissemination of research findings, and development of models to initiate new library mobile applications based on the location of the user.
  1. The Advancing the Research Mission Activity area includes several projects.
    1. Data sharing and reuse: Projects in this area examine scholars sharing and reuse of digital data and collections. Current projects are examining data reuse in three academic communities to identify how contextual information about the data that supports reuse can best be created and preserved.  Projects in this area involve quantitative and qualitative research methods (e.g. surveys, interviewing, server logs, etc.) and the dissemination of research findings. 
    2. Librarian and Data Management: Projects related to this area examine the academic librarians’ role in data management. Of particular interest are librarian attitudes, involvement, and activities related to helping university researchers manage their data. Projects in this area employ quantitative and qualitative research methods and the dissemination of research findings. A major objective for projects in this area is to inform the development of effective social and technical infrastructures (e.g. education, training, systems, services, etc.) that can support librarians in their efforts.

 

The following skills are required to accomplish the projects/tasks across the two projects.

  • A Master’s or Ph.D. in Library and Information Science or related discipline (Information Systems, Human-Computer Interaction, Archives, Records Management) is required, though candidates with advanced degrees in social science disciplines (Anthropology, Sociology, and Psychology) are also encouraged to apply.
  • Strong communication and analytical skills
  • Ability to work independently and meet deadline
  • Experienced in Microsoft office program
  • Familiarity with database design principles

The following skills are preferred:

  • Undergraduate or graduate research experience
  • Ability to quickly learn new software applications

Salary and Benefits 

  • Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience and applicable market compensation
  • The Fellow will be eligible for health & welfare benefits such as is provided to other similarly situated term-limited employees 
  • Relocation Assistance will be offered in the form of a lump sum distributed in two installments (50% at signing of offer and 50% after 90 days of start date).  The amount of the lump sum will be determined by the distance required for relocation during the term of the fellowship 

 

OCLC Candidate Profile 

 

Create your candidate profile at the OCLC Career Center Internet site.  Once you select to apply for the OCLC Diversity Fellowship opening, you will be asked the following questions:

  • Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
  • Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B, F-1 visa status)?
  • List your library-related educational experience. Please include: name of degree and major; educational institution city/state/country; year degree awarded.
  • List any additional educational experience. Please include: name of degree and major; educational institution city/state/country; year degree awarded.
  • List the names of two persons (unrelated to you) who will be submitting letters of recommendation for you. Please include the e-mail address and phone number of the two recommenders.
  • List your involvement with professional/student organizations (provide detailed listings of your activities and involvement with library and information science-related organizations); publications (citations for up to five key publications); and honors and awards.
  • List any employment experience, most recent position first. Please include: position title; institution; institution mailing address; dates of employment; and key responsibilities. 

Essay

 

Provide an original essay (to be submitted as part of your resume file) of no more than 1,000 words describing why you want to participate in the OCLC Diversity Fellowship Program, and how the experience will contribute to your short-term and long-term career plans.  The essay should also demonstrate insight into the problems and opportunities surrounding diversity and inclusion in the library workforce.

 

Letters of Recommendation

 

Two persons (unrelated to you) will need to submit letters of recommendation on your behalf directly to:  [email protected].  Letters of recommendation MUST be sent separately via e-mail from the recommender’s e-mail account (applicants cannot submit the letters).  Recommenders should state how long they have known you and in what capacity, discuss evidence of your commitment to professional development and service, and give an assessment of your promise as a developing professional. 

  

Application Procedures

 

Application is initiated by applying to the specific fellowship requisition at the OCLC Career Center Internet site, www.oclc.jobs, where you will need to create an OCLC candidate profile.  The OCLC Diversity Fellowship (Research) Job ID number is 2407.  Note:  If you have created an OCLC candidate profile in the past, please do not create a duplicate profile.

 

Important: 

  • If you are applying for multiple OCLC positions, you only need to create one OCLC candidate profile, but you must apply towards each particular position via your candidate profile. 
  • When creating your profile, you will arrive at a section to ‘upload your resume’.  Please use that section to upload your original resume and essay in one file (both your resume and essay should be in one document before submitting the file online).  If you experience problems uploading your resume and essay document, please submit the resume and essay via email directly to:  [email protected].  

The application initiation and all required submissions (original essay and two letters of recommendation) MUST be completed and received by Friday, March 21, 2014 at 5:00pm ET. 

 

Timeline and Key Dates

 

                Application Deadline:  March 21, 2014

                Anticipated Start Date:  June 23, 2014

  

OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.  OCLC maintains an ongoing commitment to equal opportunity and seeks to sustain a diverse workplace. 

 

 

 

Apply Here: http://www.Click2Apply.net/c8xksmy

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