Engineering Librarian

About the Opportunity

Northeastern University Library seeks a dynamic individual to help build a program of library support services to support ongoing growth and innovation in the College of Engineering.

Reporting to the Library Program Manager for Engineering, situated within the Research & Instruction Department, the Engineering Librarian will serve as liaison to departments in the College of Engineering and other related departments and research labs throughout the university.

As liaison, the Engineering Librarian acts as a bridge representing the library to the College of Engineering and the needs of the College of Engineering to the library.

You will develop and grow relationships with students, faculty, instructors, staff, and researchers in the fast-growing College of Engineering, seeking opportunities for the Library to support experiential teaching and learning as well as interdisciplinary research focused on finding solutions to global challenges in health, sustainability, and security.

The Engineering Librarian provides high quality, learner-centered teaching, learning, and research support virtually and in-person through instruction sessions, consultations, and the creation of asynchronous learning resources for students, faculty, instructors, staff, and research labs.

The Engineering team will work with others in the Library as well as those across the University to research and understand the needs of these user groups within the College of Engineering, and customize and create library services to meet their unique needs.

Also, the Engineering Librarian will develop expertise in a specialized support area to strengthen the library’s knowledge portfolio and support University research initiatives.

The specialized support area, selected by the Engineering Librarian with input from the Library Program Manager for Engineering, can be based on an existing area of interest or one that the Engineering Librarian develops at Northeastern.

The Engineering Librarian will have the opportunity to shape how the area is supported by the library including assessing trends and developing service points as needs emerge.

Areas of specialized support often center around innovative information literacy instruction practices or emerging support for research impact.

Some potential examples include exploring support for collaborative research programs, data science, and scholarly communication.

The person in this position will thrive by embracing a growth mindset, and continually engaging in learning activities to build professional skills and cultural competence.

Be a collaborative, curious, and engaging thought partner; contribute to a strong team and staff culture; build relationships with users;

enhance core services; innovate and develop new research and instruction services. Help us support the amazing engineers learning and working at Northeastern!

Qualifications :

• MLS, equivalent degree, or advanced degree in a STEM discipline with a strong interest in librarianship.
• At least 2 years of experience working as a research librarian in an academic research environment, preferably with an Engineering or STEM background or experience supporting STEM fields.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills as well as an interest in applying a culturally competent lens to teaching and learning.
• Strong skills in collaboration and teamwork within a fast paced, continually evolving environment.
• Proactive attitude and ability to take initiative, develop, and carry out projects as well as manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong service orientation and interest in focusing on / developing an understanding of user needs.
• Successful candidates must be willing to experiment, learn, adapt, iterate, and share their own ideas / projects with colleagues as well as provide constructive feedback on projects / ideas from other team members.

We acknowledge that lists of skills and experience may overlook qualities that would most strengthen our team, and welcome applications from candidates that meet some of our requirements and have a strong interest in developing their skills.

We encourage you to speak to your experience and knowledge including in positions outside of libraries and tell us how it may connect to some of the qualifications for this position.

We expect this position to be an ongoing learning experience and are dedicated to supporting professional development for all library staff members.

We also seek colleagues who are committed to building an inclusive and diverse working environment and who have been and remain underrepresented or marginalized in the field of librarianship including but not limited to people of color, LGBTQ+ people, individuals with disabilities, and applicants from lower-income and first-generation academic backgrounds.

About the Department & the Library

The Engineering team is situated within the STEM team, in the Research & Instruction department, which is part of the Northeastern University Library.

Team members across Research & Instruction are deeply engaged in teaching and learning support. They actively develop partnerships and new modes of support for information, data, and digital literacies.

One significant focus is online learning and the creation of interdisciplinary and discipline-specific learning objects.

Other signature initiatives include expanding collaboration with research labs, centers, and institutes through research data services, support for systematic reviews and other forms of scholarly communication.

The Research & Instruction department is located within the Research & Learning Division and consists of three teams : the STEM & Entrepreneurship team, the Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities team, and the Online Learning and Global Campus Engagement team.

The Northeastern University Library supports the mission of the University by working in partnership with the University community to develop and disseminate new scholarship.

The Library fosters intellectual and professional growth, enriches the research, teaching, and learning environment, and promotes the effective use of knowledge by managing and delivering information resources and services to library users.

Why Northeastern?

Join a leading R1 institution committed to intensive research and experiential educational experiences for students at all levels.

Here you’ll find a diverse campus community driven by innovative leadership in higher education where experiential learning and research impact are central to the mission.

In this landscape, the University Library is a vital partner in learning, teaching, and research, serving a vibrant urban campus and global online community.

Unique space planning initiatives, new collaborations with key partners, and a commitment to experiential learning, diversity and inclusion, community engagement, and supporting the research lifecycle shape the library’s innovative spirit and strategic directions.