Scientific information specialist: History. Towards open scholarship (0.8 - 1.0 FTE)

As a result of ongoing technological developments, both research and education are becoming increasingly digitized. Both education and research are moving towards open science & scholarship and open education. And when it comes down to the Humanities, the interdisciplinary research field of Digital Humanities is also growing in importance. Libraries worldwide are shaping their support role in line with these trends.

You will work within the Academic Services division of Utrecht University Library. This division - approximately 35 FTEs - provides services supporting research and education, particularly as these transition towards open science & scholarship. In collaboration with the other divisions of the University Library, the Academic Services division adapts its services flexibly to the changing needs of researchers, lecturers and students. The division is result-oriented. This means that you have a lot of freedom to organize your work yourself.

Job description

You are the first point of contact on behalf of the library for staff and students of the Humanities faculty, particularly History. You advise staff and students on our library collections, information literacy skills, open access, research data, and copyrights issues in publishing and sharing. With your knowledge in the field of Digital Humanities you play an important role in the provision of services to the faculty of Humanities.

You are responsible for the selection of relevant literature and sources for History. You also provide students and staff subject specific information literacy training courses. And you make sure that researchers, lecturers and students are well informed about the library services. You will work closely with many colleagues in our division and from other departments.

Your tasks

• building and maintaining a relevant network of relations within the faculty of Humanities, particularly History and in the field of Digital Humanities;
• managing the acquisition budget for History (Antiquity, Middle Ages, Political History, Cultural History, Economic and Social History, and History of International Relations) and selecting - together with researchers - literature and databases;
• providing subject-specific information literacy training courses;
• ensuring good information provision about and stimulating optimal use of the library services for research and education;
• informing, advising and supporting researchers about developments and solutions in the field of information provision and processing and scientific communication, for all phases of the research cycle;
• together with colleagues (further) developing (new) library services and products for the creation, management and (re)use of data, software and information in scientific research and education.

• You have a master's degree in history and preferably at least three years of relevant work experience.
• You have good advisory skills and are good at sharing knowledge, both to groups and individuals.
• You have experience in building and maintaining personal networks, preferably in an academic environment, and know how to represent our organization in a network of collaborating partners. Because of the network you build, this role is greatly benefited by a candidate who is willing to stay for several years.
• You have affinity with scientific communication in an academic environment, and are familiar with open science & scholarship.
• You have experience with or knowledge of Digital Humanities and affinity with technological innovations like Linked Open Data and Artificial Intelligence. You have (basic) knowledge of programming (preferably Python and/or R skills).

We offer a temporary position (0.8 - 1.0 FTE) for a period of one year with – if suitable - the prospect of extension for an indefinite period. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  - ranges between €2,790 and €4,402 (scale 10 according to the Collective Labour agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. You will receive a laptop and smartphone from the University Library.

Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions. More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University (UU), the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability. UU has strong ambitions in the field of open science.

Utrecht University Library is a reliable partner for researchers, teachers and students in the field of scientific information. We use our expertise to continuously improve the scientific communication cycle. Our services are organized in close collaboration with other parties within and outside UU, transcending boundaries between the disciplines. 

The first selection interviews are scheduled for June 8, 2021.

Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome employees from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives.