Assistant Professor Tenure Track Position, South Carolina iSchool, Columbia, SC

Posted January 14, 2022

Description:

The School of Information Science (iSchool) at the University of South Carolina (UofSC) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant level to begin fall 2022.

Applicants must hold an earned doctoral degree in library and information science or a closely related field by the start date of employment; however, advanced ABDs may be considered with a set date of defense. Applicants must demonstrate a record of, or the potential for: 1) active engagement with the theories and methodologies currently informing the study of public libraries and librarianship  2) contributing instructional expertise to the school’s MLIS program; the Ph.D. program; and/or the information science undergraduate major and minor; 3) mentoring graduate students; and 4) developing a program of research and scholarship in their specialty area.

The School is particularly interested in a candidate with a specialization in Public Librarianship and one or more of the following:

• Youth Services and programming
• Adult services and programming
• Community outreach and library services to underserved populations
• Social justice issues
• Intellectual Freedom
• Emerging technologies
• Leadership and advocacy
• Collection development and management

Responsibilities:

• Participate in instruction, research, publication, grant writing, and other scholarly activities
• Teach in both face-to-face and online environments primarily at the graduate level with opportunities to teach in the undergraduate program as well
• Mentor and advise graduate and undergraduate students
• Provide service to the department, college, university, profession, and community

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate in library and information studies or related field
• Capacity to teach in undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs
• Ability to conduct scholarly research in the field
• Capacity to teach and mentor at the graduate level
• Knowledge in creating educational materials for face-to-face and online instruction

Preferred Qualifications:

• Teaching experience at the collegiate level
• Teaching experience in an online or distance education environment
• Professional experience in public libraries
• Active involvement in one or more professional organizations appropriate to area of expertise
• Experience in procuring grants or external funding
• Experience working with doctoral programs

The School of Information Science

Our diverse, engaged faculty and staff enjoy a dynamic and intellectually stimulating work environment within the school. In addition, a rich potential for collaborative and interdisciplinary connections exist across the university including for example The U of SC Arnold School of Public Health, the College of Education, and our sister school the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Examples of existing faculty research expertise include: information behavior and information practices of marginalized groups; misinformation and disinformation; equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice; LIS Education; accessibility and disability studies; public libraries and cultural heritage institutions; diversity in children’s literature; community literacy; school librarianship; knowledge management; international librarianship; social media analysis, big data, and text mining; copyright; medical and health informatics; data analytics; information visualization; health and medical librarianship; critical youth studies; information policy; digital inclusion; and, information access and information poverty.

College of Information and Communications

The College of Information and Communications is home to two nationally recognized schools, the School of Journalism and Mass Communications and the School of Information Science. The college provides outstanding teaching, research, and community outreach. As such, it is one of only a few universities to combine its communications and information science programs, two rapidly evolving — and converging — fields united by a shared belief that information accessibility is the cornerstone of self-governance. The College has approximately 1,800 undergraduates, 400 graduate students, and more than 100 faculty and staff members. New assets available to faculty and students in both schools include The Social Media Insights Lab and the Biometric and User Experience Lab. Both are designed to facilitate the study of issues related to data, media, and their impact on society.

The University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina in Columbia is the major research institution of the University of South Carolina system and its largest campus, enrolling approximately 35,000 students. The university offers over 320 degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional program levels. Founded in 1801, it is among America’s oldest and most comprehensive public universities and is one of only 32 public universities to earn the Carnegie Foundation’s top-tier designations in both research activity and community engagement. South Carolina’s capital city is currently undergoing a number of urban revitalization projects and offers residents a growing range of artistic, cultural, and recreational opportunities.

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.

How to apply:

All applicants must complete an online application at UofSC Jobs: [LINK HERE]. Applications received by January 15, 2022, will be given full consideration and the position will remain open until filled.

  Application materials requested include:

1. A letter of application that addresses teaching philosophy, research agenda, service mission, and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
2. Current vitae
3. List of three references (including name, phone number, and email)

For further information or questions about this position, please contact the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Jenna Spiering ([email protected])