Research Services Librarian

Special Instructions to Applicants

For best consideration, please apply by Monday, October 13, 2025 (Central Time). All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues. Inquiries: Lisa Spiro (Search Coordinator), [email protected]. We will evaluate your application based on your cover letter and resume, so you do not need to fill out the Work History and Education sections of the online application.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in how we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary

Fondren Library seeks a creative, collegial, and user-centered librarian to join our Research Services team. The Research Services Librarian, Business & Economics liaises with assigned academic programs as well as affiliated research centers and institutes, building strong relationships and seeking new partnerships to meet emerging needs. Areas of focus include research support and consultation services, instruction and outreach services, and development and management of library collections and content. This position will also engage in design and delivery of general and specialized research and teaching support services for the broader Rice research and teaching community, including support for data analysis, data literacy, and data visualization. This position reports to the Assistant University Librarian for Research Services. Applications from recent graduates are welcome.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

An ideal candidate for this position is creative, collegial, and user-centered. They build and sustain strong relationships and provide excellent services to the Rice community. They design and deliver high-quality services, including in-person and virtual consultations, as well as teaching and outreach, for their assigned areas. They create and maintain guides and other research support resources. They develop and manage collections for assigned areas, engaging with constituents to understand and act on needs and priorities. They engage in broader collection projects, including promotion of new resources and collection assessment. They share in supporting general public services to include online reference and research support, along with general outreach and teaching. They also collaborate in the design and delivery of specialized research services, in particular support for data discovery, data literacy, data management, and data visualization. They explore new models for engaging with and facilitating support throughout the research lifecycle, including research impact. They contribute to Fondren’s organization through active participation in committees and work groups. They maintain awareness of external developments and best practices to envision and implement outstanding local services. 

Rice University fosters a welcoming and supportive environment where all members of our community can thrive. We strive to create a campus culture that values collaboration, respect, and academic excellence by engaging with all areas of campus life to support meaningful connections and shared success. Candidates for this position share this commitment.

Workplace requirements

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. The individual in this role will work on campus 80% during a typical week. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the proposed salary range is $61,000 to $69,900 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. 

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in Library and/or Information Science from an ALA-accredited program
• One or more (1+) years of related reference or research support experience in an academic or research library setting (does not have to be at the professional level)

Skills

• Ability to provide effective specialized research support in liaison areas, including conversance with relevant information sources (e.g., company, industry, financial) and research processes
• Teaching or training experience in an academic or research library setting
• Knowledge of collection development and management practices, including the ability to evaluate collections and research tools in terms of content, functionality, and alignment with user needs
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Excellent analytical, presentation and communication skills

Preferences

Preferred qualifications are not required. We ask applicants to share with us how their experience and interests align with the position for which they are applying. We also commit to helping future colleagues develop and grow professionally. 

• Experience using platforms such as Springshare (LibGuides & LibAnswers) and Ex Libris (Alma/Primo)
• One or more years of experience or formal coursework related to business information resources.
• Familiarity with the research lifecycle and interest in structuring services in areas including discovery of relevant literature and data, analysis and management of research data, writing and citation support, publishing and sharing research, and research impact
• Familiarity with scholarly communications and scholarly publishing, including open access models

Essential Functions

• Provides research support through specialized consultations for assigned areas, creation and maintenance of subject and research guides, and participation in general reference services
• Provides teaching support through specialized information and data literacy instruction for assigned areas as well as participation in general and multidisciplinary instruction programs 
• Develops and manages library collections and content, engaging in outreach and ongoing evaluation to ensure that Fondren’s resources are responsive to Rice’s teaching and research programs
• Collaborates broadly across the library and university to support research and learning, and engages in service and collections planning, delivery, and assessment
• Participates in library system-wide planning, committees, and work groups, and engages in campus, regional and national professional organizations, and collaborative activities 
• Stays current with best practices in business and economics librarianship, data services, and scholarly communication, to inform design and delivery of local services
• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Evaluates emerging technologies for adoption and implementation to enhance services
• Practices effective problem solving, using analytical and organizational skills

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or [email protected] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.