Associate Librarian

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI); Dublin; On-site; EUR 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) invites applications for the Associate Librarian (Education, Research & Clinical Support) to join the library management team at 26 York St, Dublin 2. You will lead strategy, policy and programming across teaching, research services and clinical library support, aligning library activities with RCSI goals.

You will work with the Director of Library Services and senior management to develop services, provide training, and foster innovation in health

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Strategic Planning
• Member of the library senior management team.
• Collaborate with the Director of Library Services to align library services with RCSI strategy.
• Contribute to library strategy, policy and programming in education, research and clinical support.
• Oversee development of education, research and clinical library services.
• Promote high-quality library services and open access initiatives.
• Provide training and support on library resources, search techniques and AI usage.
• Engage in liaison with departments and research centres to deliver services.

Job description

Job Title: Associate Librarian (Education, Research & Clinical Support)

Reporting To: Director of Library Services

Location: RCSI Library, 26 York St, Dublin 2

Department: RCSI Library

Contract type/duration: Permanent, Full-Time Position

Closing date for applications: 11:45pm Wednesday 7th October 2026

About the post:

The Associate Librarian (Education, Research & Clinical Support) is a member of the library management team which has collective responsibility for all library services. The Associate Librarian is responsible for developing and delivering strategy, policy and programming within three key areas of activity namely: teaching & learning, research services, and clinical library services.

Job Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Strategic Planning
• Member of the library senior management team.
• Working collaboratively with the Director of Library Services (DoLS), Associate Librarian Library Services Delivery (ALLSD) to ensure library services and resources are aligned with, and support RCSI strategy.
• Contributing to overall library strategic direction and policy setting.
• Leading on the strategic development of library services in the areas of education, research and clinical support.
• Making a positive contribution to all aspects of the library service.
• Provision of Consistently High Standard Service
• Articulating the vision, scope and effective delivery of services according to best or established practice in health sciences environments for three key areas:
• Education support, including the delivery of teaching & learning sessions and support for RCSI courses, as well as more generic training and support services including on library services, search resources and techniques, referencing techniques and software, critical thinking and appropriate use of AI.
• Research services including the operation and development of the RCSI Repository, promotion and training on Open Access, advice and support for Open Access agreements, research impact and metrics, copyright and open publishing; training, organisation and support for research data management and FAIR data; advanced search support for systematic reviews.
• Clinical Library Services, focusing especially on teaching and search support, and effective promotion of services to hospital staff.
• Overseeing and assisting proactive liaison by the ERC team with departments and research centres in support of effective awareness and delivery of library services. Manage the planning, development and evaluation of effective approaches to academic liaison.
• Maintaining knowledge and experience of emerging technologies & practices used to support the provision of innovative, high quality Library support for research, education and clinical activities
• Liaising closely with ALLSD & LRC Manager RCSI Bahrain, to share knowledge and best practice in the development of collections and services for user communities
• Benchmarking against sector good practice and developing new ideas to ensure the library’s services are responsive and reflect the changing needs of users
• Evaluating the effectiveness and quality of services in the context of quality assurance
• Providing usage statistics and management information as required

Team Management

• Managing & directing the work, including continuing professional development and professional development planning (PDP) evaluation, of the assistant librarians responsible for:
• Teaching & Learning
• Open research
• Systematic review support
• Clinical Library Services
• Leading and developing the team, engendering a creative, supportive, and innovative team culture
• Working with the ALLSD to establish and ensure cross-team communications and working relationships at all times
• Promoting a work culture than enables individuals and teams to perform enthusiastically and consistently at high level
• Providing inspiration, motivation and encouragement to all the team
• Keeping accurate & appropriate HR records
• Promoting equality of opportunity and supporting diversity and inclusion as well as working to support the University’s environmental and sustainability agenda and practices
• Complying with statutory legislation and rules and requirements in furtherance of your own and general staff welfare and safety
• Relationship Management & Development
• Building and maintaining strong strategic & working relationships with academic, research and clinical stakeholders at the appropriate level.
• Building and maintaining strong collegial and operational working relationships within the library department at all levels
• Developing and maintaining relationships with peers in similar institutions and roles

Advocacy and representation

• Coordinating with the ALLSD to raise awareness of the Library’s expertise and services to support the teaching, learning, clinical and research activities of RCSI e.g. Open Research, Research Data Management, Information/Digital Literacy, e-resources integration etc
• Representing the Library on Faculty/School/Departmental and other committees as appropriate with delegated authority from the Chief Librarian
• Representing the Library at national and international levels as appropriate

Commitment to Continuing Professional Development

• Pursuing continual updating of skills and knowledge relevant to practicing health sciences librarians
• Identifying and sharing best practice with library colleagues

Other Responsibilities

• Deputising for the Director of Library Services as required
• Other duties as may be assigned

At RCSI, people are at the heart of everything we do. Watch our short video to discover our culture, values, and shared commitment to making a meaningful impact on health worldwide. RCSI: Ensemble - Body Meets Mind.