What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Data Facilitator position at NC State University Libraries?
About The Department
The Research Facilitation Service (RFS) is a university initiative led by the Libraries in collaboration with the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) to provide essential support for NC State’s research enterprise. It offers a single point of contact for researchers who need assistance identifying and accessing research computing and data services and support, serves as a communication conduit for service providers, and conducts continuous assessment of researcher needs and available research computing and data services.
Responsibilities
The Research Data Facilitator provides lifecycle research data management support across all disciplines, offering assistance and guidance from project planning through closeout. In collaboration with RFS, OIT, and Libraries colleagues, the incumbent consults with faculty and student researchers around best practices, tools, and strategies for data storage, movement, sharing, and preservation. They work with ORI colleagues and other collaborators to support researchers in drafting and operationalizing data management plans and ensuring compliance with funder requirements. They partner with colleagues to develop secure and compute-integrated data curation and handling pipelines, and to identify appropriate data repositories or other infrastructure for open data sharing and long-term archiving. The Research Data Facilitator works with the RFS team to develop and deliver training, workshops, documentation, and outreach materials to help NC State researchers leverage a broad range of computational and data resources and meet data sharing expectations from publishers and funders. Informed by this work, the position conducts ongoing tracking and assessment of researcher needs and the university landscape of available services and resources.
The position deeply considers how their approach to their daily work reflects and advances the Libraries’ Strategic Plan, creating an environment and community that is welcoming for both patrons and colleagues alike. The position works closely with colleagues throughout the Libraries and with university partners, participates in library planning, and serves on library and campus-wide committees, task forces, and teams. Librarians are expected to be active professionally and to contribute to developments in the field. The position reports to the Director, Research Facilitation Service.
This position is based in North Carolina. This position is eligible for flexible hours with a hybrid work environment and will require occasional onsite work.
NC State promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world. NC State’s land grant mission of teaching, research and service is dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. Applicants are encouraged to review the institution’s mission, vision and strategic plan, and consider how their background, interest and experience would enable them to support the university.
Required Qualifications
It is not required that candidates meet any of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. The following skills represent some of the areas in which this position could potentially grow and focus, based on the incumbent's background and interests.
The Research Facilitation Service (RFS) is a university initiative led by the Libraries in collaboration with the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) to provide essential support for NC State’s research enterprise. It offers a single point of contact for researchers who need assistance identifying and accessing research computing and data services and support, serves as a communication conduit for service providers, and conducts continuous assessment of researcher needs and available research computing and data services.
Responsibilities
The Research Data Facilitator provides lifecycle research data management support across all disciplines, offering assistance and guidance from project planning through closeout. In collaboration with RFS, OIT, and Libraries colleagues, the incumbent consults with faculty and student researchers around best practices, tools, and strategies for data storage, movement, sharing, and preservation. They work with ORI colleagues and other collaborators to support researchers in drafting and operationalizing data management plans and ensuring compliance with funder requirements. They partner with colleagues to develop secure and compute-integrated data curation and handling pipelines, and to identify appropriate data repositories or other infrastructure for open data sharing and long-term archiving. The Research Data Facilitator works with the RFS team to develop and deliver training, workshops, documentation, and outreach materials to help NC State researchers leverage a broad range of computational and data resources and meet data sharing expectations from publishers and funders. Informed by this work, the position conducts ongoing tracking and assessment of researcher needs and the university landscape of available services and resources.
The position deeply considers how their approach to their daily work reflects and advances the Libraries’ Strategic Plan, creating an environment and community that is welcoming for both patrons and colleagues alike. The position works closely with colleagues throughout the Libraries and with university partners, participates in library planning, and serves on library and campus-wide committees, task forces, and teams. Librarians are expected to be active professionally and to contribute to developments in the field. The position reports to the Director, Research Facilitation Service.
This position is based in North Carolina. This position is eligible for flexible hours with a hybrid work environment and will require occasional onsite work.
NC State promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world. NC State’s land grant mission of teaching, research and service is dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. Applicants are encouraged to review the institution’s mission, vision and strategic plan, and consider how their background, interest and experience would enable them to support the university.
Required Qualifications
- ALA-accredited MLS, MIS, or equivalent advanced degree
- Demonstrated knowledge of best practices for research data management
- Experience providing research data support; awareness of compliance issues surrounding research data, including federal requirements and granting agency practices
- Demonstrated understanding of how researchers use high-performance computing, networking, collaborative research tools, cloud storage and computing, and other advanced cyberinfrastructure technologies, including tools for pipelines and data transfer
- Ability to manage relationships with stakeholders in a multidisciplinary environment
- Ability to serve and collaborate with a large user community reflecting a variety of backgrounds and disciplines
- Ability to work independently, creatively, and collaboratively in a team environment and contribute to operational efficiency
- Ability to foster an environment of belonging and well-being
- Evidence of ability for professional development and contribution
It is not required that candidates meet any of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. The following skills represent some of the areas in which this position could potentially grow and focus, based on the incumbent's background and interests.
- Substantial experience supporting computational or data-intensive research
- Demonstrated understanding of data curation best practices for AI and machine learning workflows
- Familiarity with or interest in protocols for handling Controlled Unclassified Information or other sensitive data