Bioinformationist, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Posted May 5, 2020

The George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida (UF) seeks a creative and service-oriented Bioinformationist to enhance the Health Science Center Library’s (HSCL) existing bioinformatics and data support program, and to provide consultations, instruction, and outreach for selected basic sciences departments and graduate programs in the Health Science Center (HSC). In this year-round (12 month) tenure-track faculty position, the Bioinformationist develops and teaches courses and workshops and provides individual and group consultations related to bioinformatics, data science, and reproducible research methods. As a member of the Health Science Center Library team, the Bioinformationist provides information services in a variety of modes (in person, email, house calls), performs courseintegrated instruction, and participates in the department’s teaching program. The position is responsible for special projects as assigned, including new service development and current service evaluation. The Bioinformationist is also a member of the Academic Research Consulting & Services team (ARCS), an interdisciplinary, cross-libraries partnership. The Bioinformationist works collaboratively with members of HSCL, ARCS, and clients, and will be responsive to campus bioinformatics support needs that arise.

The Smathers Libraries encourage staff participation in reaching management decisions and consequently the Bioinformationist will serve on various committees and teams. To support all students, faculty, and staff and foster excellence in a diverse and collaborative society, the Libraries are actively seeking candidates who bring culturally-rich lived experiences to work with individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, gender identities, sexual orientation, and perspectives. The Smathers Libraries recently created a new strategic direction focused on ensuring that the Libraries are a safe, supportive and welcoming learning environment for all users and on focusing engagement efforts to diverse populations within the University and local community. The Bioinformationist will pursue professional development opportunities, including research, publication, and professional service activities in order to meet library-wide criteria for tenure and promotion.

Responsibilities

Develops the bioinformatics support program based on an understanding of client need and with the commitment to develop this program into a national leader in library-based bioinformatics support services.
Develops and provides bioinformatics resource instruction and training, consultation, and other bioinformatics-related services and is responsive to campus bioinformatics support needs that arise.
Provides expertise on a range of bioinformatics databases and tools such as those offered by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
Provides liaison services to the faculty, post-docs, students, and staff in assigned basic biomedical sciences departments and academic programs in the HSC. Liaison services include instruction, consultation, collection development, and other client-centered services as identified.
Participates as an active member of library-based teams and programs such as Academic Research Consulting & Services (ARCS) (http://arcs.uflib.ufl.edu/), which includes specialists in data management, informatics, and reproducible research.
Applies for grants in support of bioinformatics initiatives and provides support to grant writers in assigned academic units and programs.
Connects with related units across campus to provide services and resources. Builds a bioinformatics seminar series through collaborative efforts.
Participates in planning, policy formation, and departmental decision-making related to services, resources, and new technologies.
Performs scholarly research and provides service at the institutional and professional levels as related to assignment and in accordance with tenure and promotion criteria

Qualifications

Required:

Masters degree or above in relevant biomedical or data sciences field (for example, bioinformatics, biology, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry)
For appointment at the Associate University Librarian rank, eight years of relevant experience
Experience using bioinformatics resources, such as those available from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) or commercial vendors
Knowledge of research design and scientific statistical methodologies
Record of creating and maintaining strong collaborations within a culturally diverse user community of faculty, students, staff, administrators, or the general public.
Knowledge and experience in adult learning through teaching, training, and/or instruction
Excellent communication skills including effective presentation skills
Strong analytical and organizational skills
Commitment to including individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientation, and perspectives in research, teaching, service and other work
Strong potential for meeting the requirements of tenure and promotion (outlined at http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/pers/cdh)

Preferred:

Experience and strong interest in grant writing
Experience working in a library with preference for health or biological science client population
Experience performing laboratory research
PhD in a relevant biomedical science or data science field
Knowledge of or proficiency in computer languages and tools used in data analysis (e.g., R, Python, C++, Unix)
Experience using research-related literature databases such as PubMed

The University of Florida

The University of Florida (UF) is the state of Florida’s preeminent university. The state’s oldest and most comprehensive university, UF is among the nation’s most academically diverse public universities. UF is currently 8th among “Top Public Universities” in the U.S. News and World Report. UF has a long history of established programs in international education, research and service. It is one of only 17 public, landgrant universities that belong to the Association of American Universities. UF traces its beginnings to a small seminary in 1853 and is now one of the largest universities in the nation, with more than 50,000 students. For more information, please consult the UF homepage.

Gainesville Community

Gainesville, Florida and the surrounding community are home to approximately 257,000 people and both the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. The city is surrounded by over 40 nature parks, including many spring-fed lakes and rivers, with many paved and unpaved trails for recreation and is situated just over an hour from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Gainesville is known as an award-winning and innovative city friendly to both professionals and families. The Guide to Greater Gainesville combines award winning photography and compelling articles that capture all of the reasons for calling Gainesville your next home. The area has numerous cultural institutions and is a haven for sports fans. Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, and St. Augustine are all within a two-hour drive. Gainesville is an affordable city and area to live in – using a cost of living calculator you can compare cities across the United States. See how affordable Gainesville really is!

Benefits

Vacation days, paid holidays, and sick leave days; retirement plan options; insurance benefits; tuition fee waiver program; no state or local income tax. Prospective employees should review the information about employment and benefits at UF available at http://hr.ufl.edu/benefits/. UF offers a comprehensive new online benefits tool called ALEX to help employees and prospective employees review benefit choices at UF.

Application Process

To apply, submit

a cover letter detailing your interest in and qualifications for this position
a written statement discussing the rationale for providing bioinformatics support in the library, and your first steps in developing a library-based bioinformatics support service (250 words) your current resume or CV
a list of three references including their contact information (telephone number and email address)

Apply by June 15, 2020 (applications will be reviewed as received). Submit all application materials through the Jobs at UF online application system at Requisition 51809. Failure to submit the required documents may result in the application not being considered. If you have any questions or concerns about this process please contact Bonnie Smith, George A. Smathers Libraries Human Resources Office, at [email protected].

Final candidates will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript is not considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

The University of Florida is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and minority group members. We are dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic environment; we strongly encourage applications from women, members of underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. As part of the application process, applicants are invited to complete an on-line confidential and voluntary demographic self-disclosure form which can be found at: http://hr.ufl.edu/data-card/. This information is collected by the University of Florida’s Office of Human Resources to track applicant trends and is in no way considered by the Smathers Libraries in the selection process.

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