Archivist of the Impossible

The Archivist of the Impossible will primarily preserve, arrange, and describe archival collections in the Center for the Impossible, which represent anomalous experiences in a variety of areas. This staff member will provide first-line reference services and search guidance primarily for the Impossible collections to on-site and off-site researchers. They will work with the Head of Special Collections and the Executive Director of the Center for the Impossible to identify material appropriate for digitization and presentation on the web and participate in user education, lectures, and tours. They will also train and supervise processing assistants in collaboration with the Head of Special Collections. This position reports directly to the Director of the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, where the Center for the Impossible collections are preserved, and will work closely with the Executive Director of the Center for the Impossible, whose position is part of the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library.

The ideal candidate must have experience working in an academic library team environment, managing multiple tasks, and prioritizing deadlines.

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

Workplace Requirements

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. This is a three-year, benefits-eligible position funded by a grant, soft and/or restricted funds, and may be renewed based on continued funding availability, research needs, and performance. 

Hiring Range

Starting at $62,000 with flexibility to go higher, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. 

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree in Library and Information Studies, Archival Studies, or another closely related field
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
• 1+ years of experience
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking skills
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and remain calm and flexible in stressful situations
• Ability to perform precise, detailed work quickly and accurately
• Archival arrangement and description skills

Preferences

• Working knowledge of archival software such as ArchivesSpace and Archivematica, as well as digital asset management systems
• Familiarity with the topics of anomalous experiences and narratives of contact with non-human intelligence
• Familiarity with Digital Humanities project structure and administration
• Familiarity with text analysis and visualization methods
• Familiarity with the UAP, Disclosure, Experiencer, and Researcher community ecosystem
• Certified Archivist
• Digital Archives Specialist certification

Essential Functions

• Provides in-depth collection interpretation for researchers and coordinates reference services and search guidance provided by support staff
• Processes (appraises, preserves, organizes, arranges, and describes) manuscript collections and archival record groups to provide intellectual access to these holdings through the preparation of collection-level descriptions using nationally accepted archival formats
• Identifies manuscript and archival materials appropriate for digitization and placement on the web using nationally accepted archival formats
• Provides reference services and search guidance for Center for the Impossible collections to on-site and off-site researchers
• Performs analog and digital preservation operations
• Participates in user education, lectures, and tours for university users and outside groups
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Ability to lift boxes weighing 30+ lbs.
• Some travel to workshops and occasional evening or weekend presentations to groups.

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

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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 Human Resources Office via email at [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.