Fall 2023 Graduate Specialist Positions

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Overview

The New Brunswick Libraries (NBL) Graduate Specialist Program provides opportunities for Rutgers–New Brunswick graduate students to use and develop their skills in a variety of methodologies while working with the Libraries to deliver consulting, workshops, and training.

NBL hires Graduate Specialists to provide support to researchers in topics and methods of growing importance in the scholarly world. Graduate Specialists help the Libraries to expand the range of services offered by bringing advanced skill sets in the latest research methods and tools. Additionally, the Graduate Specialist Program helps the graduate students by giving them a place to prove and hone their skills by bringing services to researchers, gaining significant marketable experience along the way.
The Graduate Specialist Program is strongly and actively committed to diversity and antiracism, and seeks to hire students who will engage with diverse audiences and contribute creatively to the University’s multicultural environment. We follow the University’s non-discrimination policy.

In Fall 2023, we are hiring for four positions: the Evidence Synthesis, Qualitative Methods (ethnography focus), Digital Humanities, and Data Science Graduate Specialists (described below). These new Graduate Specialists will join the Data Science (Python focus) and Qualitative Methods (NVivo focus) Graduate Specialists, who are continuing from last academic year. Graduate Specialists earn $25 per hour.

For more information on the program, see https://libguides.rutgers.edu/graduatespecialist.

Evidence Synthesis Graduate Specialist

As part of its Graduate Specialist Program, the Rutgers New Brunswick Libraries seek an Evidence Synthesis (ES) Graduate Specialist to assist the libraries in supporting systematic and scoping reviews in the social sciences. Initially used in evidence-based healthcare practice, evidence synthesis methods like systematic and scoping reviews are becoming increasingly popular methods in social science fields, including psychology, sociology, social work, and public policy. See the “Evidence Synthesis in the Social Sciences” LibGuide for more information.

The ES Graduate Specialist will report to the Social Sciences Librarian. They will support social science students and faculty by co-developing and co-facilitating evidence synthesis workshops and guides for Rutgers affiliates or specific research teams. Training will be provided, both in evidence synthesis methods and in best practices for teaching ES methods. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to hold office hours to advise and consult on elements of evidence synthesis projects, including search strategy, database or grey literature selection, and citation management.

Requirements

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated individual with an interest in using and learning evidence synthesis methods in the social sciences. The ES Graduate Specialist position requires a knowledge of academic database structure and advanced search elements such as boolean operators, subject headings, search punctuation, and database field syntax. Experience conducting a systematic, scoping, or comprehensive narrative literature review is preferred, but not required.

The candidate will be adept at communicating with and creating an inclusive environment for learners of all backgrounds and skill levels. Additionally, the candidate will have a consistent availability of 8-12 hours a week during the semester.

Eligibility

The position is open to current Rutgers–New Brunswick graduate students in a social or behavioral science field who are eligible for on-campus employment. Students with full-time enrollment status are preferred.

Compensation

This is a one-semester, 10-hours-per-week position paid at an hourly rate of $25.00. The term of employment is September 5, 2023 to December 13, 2023 (15 weeks). Contingent on funding and performance, the position may also continue through the spring semester.

Application Process

Please submit the following materials via e-mail to Charlene Houser at charlene.houser@rutgers.edu:

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter describing how you meet the requirements for the position; contributions you can make to this position and to the New Brunswick Libraries; and how this position will advance your academic goals
• Names and contact information for two (2) references

First consideration will be given to applications received by September 8, 2023.

For questions regarding the Evidence Synthesis Graduate Specialist position, please contact Julia Maxwell, Social Sciences Librarian, at julia.maxwell@rutgers.edu.

See libguides.rutgers.edu/graduatespecialist for information about the Graduate Specialist Program, including workshops and guides developed by past graduate specialists.

Qualitative Methods Graduate Specialist

As part of its Graduate Specialist program, the Rutgers New Brunswick Libraries seek a Qualitative Methods Graduate Specialist to support education in qualitative research methods with emphasis on ethnography. The Graduate Specialist will provide consulting and training services ranging from the development of structured workshops and the facilitation of interest group forums or meetings. The Qualitative Methods Graduate Specialist will work under the supervision of the Libraries’ Social Sciences Librarian to develop a program for service and outreach. This work will be in-person, hybrid, or online.

Requirements

Successful applicants will be highly motivated individuals with a strong interest in qualitative research methods. Familiarity with qualitative approaches and basic qualitative data analysis, as well as experience with NVivo is required.

Candidates with a background or experience in ethnography, and more particularly in the issues related to conducting surveys, interviews, participant observation, or fieldwork, and managing information or data gathered will have preference.

Intellectual curiosity and strong interpersonal and communication skills are required qualifications for this position, as well as consistent availability for 8-12 hours per week of work during the semester.

Eligibility

This position is open to current Rutgers–New Brunswick graduate students in relevant disciplines who are eligible for on-campus employment. Students with full-time enrollment status are preferred.

Compensation

This is a one-semester, 10-hours-per-week position paid at an hourly rate of $25.00. The term of employment is September 5, 2023 to December 13, 2023 (15 weeks). Contingent on funding and performance, the position may also continue through the spring semester.

Application Process

Please submit the following materials via e-mail to Charlene Houser at charlene.houser@rutgers.edu:

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter describing you meet the requirements for the position; contributions you can make to this position and the New Brunswick Libraries; and how this position will advance your academic goals.
• Names and contact information for two (2) references

First consideration will be given to applications received by September 8, 2023.

For questions regarding the Qualitative Methods Graduate Specialist position, please contact Triveni Kuchi (Social Sciences Librarian) at triveni.kuchi@rutgers.edu.

See libguides.rutgers.edu/graduatespecialist for information about the Graduate Specialist Program, including workshops and guides developed by past graduate specialists.

The New Brunswick Libraries seek a Digital Humanities Graduate Specialist to support the Libraries’ digital humanities teaching and outreach. Digital Humanities (DH) describes any application of computers in the arts and humanities, and often involves methods adapted from the social sciences. The DH Graduate Specialist will work on activities tailored to his or her research interests and skills, while acquiring a general understanding of digital humanities work at a major research university.

Reporting to the Digital Humanities Librarian in Alexander Library, the DH Graduate Specialist will develop an agenda of activities that will include teaching workshops and providing consultations on various forms of digital work. Some examples of approaches and methods that have been taught in previous semesters: spatial approaches in the humanities, gathering and organizing data according to “tidy data” principles, organizing archival research materials, computational text analysis, digital collection and exhibit building, and web scraping. The DH Graduate Specialist is encouraged to have a strong interest in a particular area that they may already be pursuing or plan to pursue.

Requirements

Successful applicants will be highly motivated individuals with a strong interest in digital humanities work within an academic or GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) setting. Knowledge of one or more digital humanities research methodologies is required. Experience in providing instruction to students of various skill levels is preferred. Intellectual curiosity and strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for learning, are important qualifications for this position, as well as consistent availability for 8-12 hours per week of work during the semester.

Eligibility

The position is open to current Rutgers–New Brunswick graduate students in a humanities or social science field who are eligible for on-campus employment. Students with full-time enrollment status are preferred.

Compensation

This is a one-semester, 10-hours-per-week position paid at an hourly rate of $25.00. The term of employment is September 5, 2023 to December 13, 2023 (15 weeks). Contingent on funding and performance, the position may also continue through the spring semester.

Application Process

Please submit the following materials via e-mail to Charlene Houser at charlene.houser@rutgers.edu

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter describing how you meet the requirements for the position; contributions you can make to this position and to the New Brunswick Libraries; and how this position will advance your academic goals
• Names and contact information for two (2) references

First consideration will be given to applications received by September 8, 2023.

For questions regarding the Digital Humanities Graduate Specialist position, please contact Francesca Giannetti, Digital Humanities Librarian, at francesca.giannetti@rutgers.edu.

Data Science Graduate Specialist

The New Brunswick Libraries seek a Data Science Graduate Specialist to provide instruction and consultation in data analytics tools and methods. It is expected that the Data Science Graduate Specialist will develop and deliver workshops, hold virtual office hours, and provide e-mail help to the Rutgers community on their areas of expertise. This work will be primarily online, but may include some in-person workshops and consultations. This position will provide instruction to beginners in the use of free or widely available tools to clean, analyze, and visualize data, providing content that is accessible to a general audience that may not have coding skills. The specific tools supported will depend on the expertise of the Graduate Specialist selected; some examples of tools are OpenRefine, Excel, MySQL, and Tableau. This position will work under the supervision of the Chemistry & Physics Librarian/Science Data Specialist to develop a program for service and outreach.

Requirements

Successful applicants will be highly motivated individuals with a strong interest in data science and instruction. The position requires strong knowledge of data analysis and data visualization, as well as software and programming skills appropriate to the position. Experience in providing instruction to students of various skill levels is preferred. Intellectual curiosity and strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for learning, are required qualifications for this position, as well as consistent availability for 8-12 hours per week of work during the semester.

Eligibility

This position is open to current Rutgers–New Brunswick graduate students in relevant disciplines who are eligible for on-campus employment. Students with full-time enrollment status are preferred.

Compensation

This is a one-semester, 10-hours-per-week position paid at an hourly rate of $25.00. The term of employment is September 5, 2023 to December 13, 2023 (15 weeks). Contingent on funding and performance, the position may also continue through the spring semester.

Application Process

Please submit the following materials via e-mail to Charlene Houser at charlene.houser@rutgers.edu:

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter describing you meet the requirements for the position; contributions you can make to this position and the New Brunswick Libraries; and how this position will advance your academic goals.
• Names and contact information for two (2) references

First consideration will be given to applications received by September 8, 2023.

For questions regarding the Data Science Graduate Specialist position, please contact Laura Palumbo, Science Data Specialist and Chemistry/Physics Librarian, at laura.palumbo@rutgers.edu.

See libguides.rutgers.edu/graduatespecialist for information about the Graduate Specialist Program, including workshops and guides developed by past graduate specialists.