Senior Research Informationist

Job Type:

About Knowledge Services

Knowledge Services accelerates the success of RAND staff and their sponsors and clients through its three collaborative service areas:  Library Services, Corporate Archives and Special Collections, and KS Applications.  Knowledge Services is a unit within the Information Services department, and reports to the VP/CIO. We strive to foster a culture of respect, empowerment, value, and growth for all staff.

Overview of Position

This health sciences-focused position offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced Senior level Research Informationist to provide expert research services to RAND’s geographically diverse world-class research and administrative staff.  The primary focus of this position is health sciences and evidence synthesis, though the role contributes to general reference services across RAND’s broader research portfolio.  As a member of the Library Research Services (LRS) team, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated success in providing high-level health sciences information services in a research or academic library setting, thrives in a collaborative and collegial environment, and demonstrates initiative and an innovative mindset.  The position reports to the Director, Knowledge Services and may work fully remote.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide advanced, complex consulting and research services to RAND research and administrative staff; partner with research staff on short- and long-term projects, providing an array of research and consulting services:

• Perform systematic reviews and literature searches, and compile bibliographies and other outputs using electronic resources and commercial databases; prepare associated literature reviews, systematic search documentation, and annotated bibliographies

• Lead evidence synthesis intake and protocol review processes; provide training and consultations on systematic and scoping review methods for project teams

• Assist researchers with proposal development

• Develop and deploy customized information and current awareness plans

• Evaluate and apply emerging technologies, including AI-assisted tools, to enhance research workflows and information services

• Identify and recommend best literature review and evidence synthesis methods and tools for use by project teams

• Cultivate client relationships and facilitate collaboration in a hybrid environment to ensure resources and services meet demonstrated need

• Participate in teams to develop and implement effective and innovative outreach activities and service enhancements

• Participate in projects to develop relevant collections of electronic resources; evaluate new and existing resources; analyze collection metrics

• Provide support, consultations, customized training and educational sessions on evidence synthesis and literature reviews; provide training to more junior level staff

• Other duties as assigned

Skills and abilities:

• Demonstrated expertise in performing comprehensive systematic reviews, including conducting search strategies in biomedical, nutrition, and public health related databases using MeSH, Emtree, keyword, Boolean and proximity searches

• Demonstrated knowledge of reporting guidelines and/or standards such as PRISMA, PRESS, Cochrane, etc.

• Experience searching grey literature on health-related and other topic areas.

• Experience with AI tools for evidence synthesis (e.g., Elicit, Covidence, DistillerSR) and ability to critically evaluate AI-generated search strategies against methodological standards      

• Proficiency using EndNote; knowledge of other citation management tools

• Excellent client service skills

• Excellent attention to detail, ability to prioritize tasks, work independently, and meet a high standard of work

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, to solve problems creatively, and build effective partnerships using excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills

• Adheres to evidence synthesis best practices and professional standards for search strategy development, documentation of methodology, and quality assurance of project deliverables

Qualifications:

Required:

• Minimum of 7 years providing reference and consulting services in an academic or special library setting, preferably with a health-sciences focus

• Demonstrated expertise in information discovery and management tools in th