Social Science Research and Spatial Data Librarian

Cornell University Library invites applications for a Social Science Research and Spatial Data Librarian.

Cornell University Library stands at the center of intellectual life at the university, fostering connections and knowledge that help faculty, students, staff, and researchers from around the world excel in research, scholarship, and creative expression. It supports and enhances faculty and student productivity through its extensive collections, cutting-edge services and facilities, and a deep network of digital resources.

The Library seeks a creative, knowledgeable, and collaborative Social Science Research and Spatial Data Librarian. Based in the Mui Ho Fine Arts Library, the Social Science Research and Spatial Data Librarian serves as the library liaison to the Department of City and Regional Planning in the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. The position provides targeted public services support to the social science community, as well as services related to spatial data and social science data discovery, analysis, and management. Reporting to the Director of the Music and Fine Arts Libraries, you will collaborate closely with the Fine Arts Library team as well as with colleagues throughout Cornell University Library to provide exceptional research services and programs. 

As a member of the Digital Scholarship Services data discovery cohort, the Social Science Research and Spatial Data Librarian provides spatial data support to constituents across campus, develops services to enhance access to spatial data, and participates in planning, developing, and teaching course-integrated instruction and workshops relating to spatial data use.

Candidate Profile:

Required: 

• MLS from ALA-accredited library/information science graduate program or a graduate degree in a field related to the position.

• 5-6 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 3 years’ experience finding, wrangling, processing, and preparing spatial data so that it can be used for analysis, using one or more software or tools, such as QGIS, ArcGIS, R, Python, or OpenRefine.

• A demonstrated interest in applying spatial data analysis skills to research problems in the social sciences; desire to learn new GIS, mapping, and spatial analysis tools.

• Experience using a variety of library resources and enthusiasm for teaching others to use those resources. 

• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively.

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity. 

Additionally, we would prefer any of the following:

• Five or more years of social science library research and/or teaching experience.

• Subject knowledge specific to an applied social science field. 

• Subject knowledge in City and Regional Planning or related fields, including academic coursework in appropriate fields. ­

This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The selected candidate will typically work on the Ithaca campus 4 days per week, with the potential for entering a flexible work arrangement to allow remote work 1 day per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke, or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.   

The New York convenience of employer guidelines requires New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside New York State. 

Diversity and Inclusion: As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of incl