Metadata Assistant, Baker Library at Harvard Business School, (Boston, MA)

Posted May 21, 2026

Description: Harvard Business School’s (HBS) Baker Library is seeking a temporary Metadata Assistant for an HBS faculty citation data project aimed at better understanding how its collections support and influence scholarly research. This initiative involves identifying faculty publications, extracting their cited references, and analyzing the relationships within this data to generate meaningful insights into patterns of use and library collection impact. By analyzing citations, the project seeks to surface evidence of how Baker’s resources contribute to the research ecosystem at HBS.

Reporting to Baker Library’s Collections and Discovery Specialist, this temporary Metadata Assistant role will focus on the initial phase of the project to assemble a corpus of raw citation data from multiple sources by identifying, collecting, and converting resources cited in faculty research. Daily workflows will vary based on individual faculty publications but will regularly involve use of the Harvard Library catalog (HOLLIS), Google, Zotero, the Harvard University instance of ChatGPT, and publisher platforms.

Responsibilities:
The temporary Metadata Assistant will be responsible for processing an assigned set of faculty publications through a structured workflow. This includes:

Locating publications in the appropriate repositories
Downloading digital copies
Extracting and converting cited references into Research Information Systems (RIS) format using a custom GPT tool, and
Uploading records into Zotero.

While many publications will follow a consistent process, some formats (such as books, book chapters, and online articles) may require additional troubleshooting and adaptation to meet project standards.

A high level of discretion, ethical handling of sensitive information, and strong attention to detail are essential, as this role may involve access to passwords or proprietary Harvard Business School content.

Qualifications:

Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Outlook, Teams, and file management
Experience with library catalogs and effective web searching (e.g., Google)
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to manage time effectively and work independently within project guidelines
Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability when workflows vary
Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive or proprietary information with discretion and sound judgment
Prior experience with citation management tools and familiarity with ChatGPT or similar tools is preferred but not required
A BA/BS is preferred. Candidates with strong technical experience are encouraged to apply.

Other Information:
This is a temporary, full-time, hybrid position requiring at least one day of on-site work per week at HBS’s Boston, MA-based campus. Specific hours and days on-site will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.

Position Type: Temporary
Start date: June 1, 2026
End date: September 1, 2026
Schedule: 40 hours per week; Schedule to be determined
Pay Rate: $20.75 per hour
CORI: Required

How to Apply:

Submit resume via our job board – https://www.bibliotemps.com/jobs
Contact with questions – [email protected]

BiblioTemps® is an employment service of the Massachusetts Library System that provides experienced library workers for temporary placements in public, academic, and special libraries throughout Massachusetts. Massachusetts Library System (MLS) is an equal opportunity employer. MLS is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, age, marital status, sex, physical or mental challenge, creed, religion, political affiliation, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation. Members of underrepresented groups, and those committed to working in a diverse cultural environment are encouraged to apply.