Head of Academic and Clinical Research Support

University of California - Irvine; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave: 24 days/year

13 paid holidays

Sick leave: 1 day per month

Job summary

The University of California, Irvine Libraries seeks a creative and user-oriented Head of Academic and Clinical Research Support. This full-time librarian role leads a team across multiple locations, guiding reference and clinic-based research services and advancing library programs.

Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Public Services, you will shape planning, development, and assessment while promoting inclusive excellence and collaboration with UCI Health and campus partners.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in library science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent.
• Five years post-graduate degree professional experience in an academic/library setting.
• Experience delivering reference and consultation services for complex research questions.
• Proven cross-department collaboration in program or service development.

Responsibilities

• Advance reference and clinical research support through vision, planning, coordination and evaluation.
• Lead, supervise and mentor the Academic & Clinical Research Support team and oversee the Grunigen Medical Library.
• Contribute to strategic goals as a department head and on relevant committees.
• Analyze trends, manage resources and library UX discussions in alignment with goals.
• Partner with campus, UCI Health and library colleagues to support research and clinical information needs.
• Guide librarian liaison programs and integrate library services across research, education and clinical services.
• Collaborate with leaders to evaluate and improve library resources and user experience.

Skills

Reference services

Collaboration

Leadership

User-centered design

Education

Graduate degree in library science

Job description

Position overview

Salary range: Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience based on the University of California pay scales. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience based on the University of California pay scales. Appointment is anticipated to be at the Associate Librarian or Librarian rank with a salary of $83,321- $149,726. The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and salary point at appointment. See Table for Non-Represented Librarians.

Application Window

Open date: October 5, 2026

Next review date: Monday, Nov 2, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Nov 9, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Head of Academic and Clinical Research Support

The University of California, Irvine Libraries seeks a creative, knowledgeable, and user-oriented Head of Academic and Clinical Research Support to join our collaborative team. Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Public Services, this full-time librarian position is a key member of the Libraries' Leadership Council and Public Services Leadership team, ensuring effective, high-quality reference, user experience, and clinical care support services. Supervising a department that includes five librarian and nine staff colleagues who broadly support the academic and healthcare communities at UC Irvine, the Head of Academic and Clinical Research Support provides leadership in planning, development, delivery and assessment of library research support services at our Irvine and Orange library locations. As a member of the Public Services Leadership team, this position contributes to the long-range planning of library programs, services, and policies by working collaboratively with other leaders at UC Irvine Libraries and advises the AUL for Public Services on programmatic areas and strategic initiatives. This position is based in Irvine but will require occasional travel to the Grunigen Medical Library at the UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange.

The UC Irvine Libraries are fully committed to inclusive excellence, and we encourage applicants to address how their skills, expertise, and experiences might serve the varied communities of California. Please feel free to include relevant information in any of your application materials.

Qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Advance the role and expertise of library colleagues in areas of reference and research support through vision setting, planning, coordinating, and evaluating reference and clinical research support services.
• Lead, supervise and mentor Academic & Clinical Research Support team, oversee the Grunigen Medical Library, and foster a culture of continued professional growth and provision of excellent, user-oriented services.
• Contribute to the setting and advancing of the Libraries strategic goals as a members of Public Services department heads, Leadership Council and representative on relevant Libraries, University, and UC systemwide committees.
• Analyzes trends and manages resources, library database UX deliberations, and collections in alignment with departmental and Libraries' goals.
• Partner with campus, UCI Health, and library colleagues to promote the libraries roles in supporting the research, evidence synthesis, and clinical information needs.
• Actively partners with colleagues across Libraries' division to guide librarian liaison program and advance library service integration throughout the research, education, and clinical services of UC Irvine.
• With other leaders and user experience colleagues, facilitate the continued evaluation and improvement of library resources and services to improve the UC Irvine community's library experience.

Qualifications

Required

• Graduate degree in library science from an ALA-accredited institution or an equivalent combination of relevant advanced degree and library experience
• Five years post-graduate degree professional experience working in academic or library setting
• Experience delivering reference & consultation services in support of complex research questions in academic or clinical research settings.
• Evidence of effective cross departmental collaboration in the development of programs or services.
• Commitment to evidence-based decision making in support of user-centered service design, assessment and improvement of library services.
• Evidence of leading dynamic teams and motivating groups to achieve common goals.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment
• Ability to meet the University of California criteria for advancement and promotion

Preferred

• Strong service orientation and commitment to user-centered practice.
• Demonstrated successful management of a public facing services department or unit.
• Record of research, scholarly publications or involvement in regional and national professional organizations in areas of research/reference support, clinical support, or academic librarianship.
• Experience assessing effectiveness of library services and programs using qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Experience with budget management and resource allocation.

The Academic and Clinical Research Support Department

The Academic and Clinical Research Support Department consists of six librarians, including the Department Head, and nine career staff located in the Grunigen Medical Library, the Langson Library and the Science Library. Our vision: the Academic and Clinical Research Support Department ensures that all people-regardless of their identity and the nature or method of their query- are supported and empowered to effectively and independently navigate the resources available to them that meet their information needs.

The UCI Libraries

At the heart of the University of California, Irvine's academic community, the UC Irvine Libraries plays a vital role in enabling our outstanding students, faculty, and researchers to create new knowledge, develop lifelong learning skills, and make meaningful contributions to society. We value innovation and collaboration, and we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our commitment is described in our Diversity Statement and Plan. The UC Irvine Libraries received the 2024 Library Excellence in Access and Diversity (LEAD) Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, a leader in advancing best practices in DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) in higher education.

The Libraries' physical spaces consist of the Langson Library, the Science Library, the Library Gateway Study Center, and the Grunigen Medical Library (located at the UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange, CA). These locations provide a welcoming and technology-enhanced environment valued by students as places for study, research, and collaboration. Together, they contain over 3,300 public seats, over 500 public access computers, laptop computers for checkout, and a wide range of multimedia resources including 3D printers. The library collection consists of over 4.3 million volumes, 254,000 journals and serial titles, and an ever-expanding collection of electronic books, databases, and other resources. As part of the University of California system, the UC Irvine Libraries collaborates closely with the other nine UC campus libraries and the California Digital Library (CDL). Our public website is a portal to access e-resources; discover print, archival, and multi-media collections; and connect with reference and instructional services. It also includes cutting edge digital tools and tutorials and numerous subject specific research guides created by subject specialists.

The UC Irvine Libraries employs approximately 140 full-time librarians and staff and many part-time student assistants. We strongly support the professional development of librarians and staff throughout their careers.

The UC Irvine Libraries are a member of the: Association of Research Libraries (ARL), HathiTrust, Center for Research Libraries (CRL), Coalition of Networked Information (CNI), Digital Library Federation (DLF), Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), Scholarly Publishing & Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC), Pacific Rim Research Libraries Alliance (PRRLA), International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), and National Information Standards Organization (NISO).

University of California, Irvine

The University of California, Irvine, is nestled in over 1,500 acres of coastal foothills, five miles from the Pacific Ocean, between San Diego and Los Angeles and located on the homelands of the Acjachemen and Tongva peoples, Land Acknowledgement. Founded in 1965, UC Irvine has over 37,000 undergraduate and graduate students and over 1,800 faculty and staff. Nearly 67% of UC Irvine students identify themselves as Asian American, African American, Chicano/Latino, or Native American. Over 50% of UC Irvine's bachelor's degrees are awarded to first generation college students. The University is committed to serving students from all backgrounds as demonstrated by UC Irvine's Black Thriving Initiative and its designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), Minority Thriving Campus. The New York Times ranks UC Irvine as the #1 college doing the most for the American Dream, and U.S. News and Report ranks UC Irvine among the top ten public universities in the nation. The University offers graduate degrees in more than 100 academic disciplines and interdisciplinary programs in addition to the M.D. and J.D.

Salary & Benefits

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience based on the University of California pay scales. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience based on the University of California pay scales. Appointment is anticipated to be at the Associate Librarian or Librarian rank with a salary of $83,321- $149,726. The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and salary point at appointment. See Table for Non-Represented Librarians.

Librarians are entitled to two days per month of annual leave, thirteen paid holidays, and one day per month of sick leave. The University has an excellent retirement system and offers a variety of group health, life, and disability insurance plans. Benefits are equal to approximately 45% of salary.

As academic appointees, UC Irvine Librarians receive potential career status at the time of their initial appointment. Librarians periodically receive administrative and peer review for merit increases based on the following criteria:

1. professional competence and quality of service within the Library.
2. professional activity outside the Library.
3. university and public service;
4. research and other creative activity.

Deadline for Applications

Applications received by November 2, 2026 will receive first consideration.

Upon application, candidates should be in possession of proof of their legal right to employment in the U.S. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, verification of legal right to work will be required between the time of final selection and hiring and is absolutely essential in ultimately being hired.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

This position description is listed on the UC Irvine Libraries website with links to additional websites featuring campus and community information.

School: https://www.lib.uci.edu/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Graduate degree in library science from an ALA-accredited institution or an equivalent combination of relevant advanced degree and library experience
• Five years post-graduate degree professional experience working in academic or library setting
• Experience delivering reference & consultation services in support of complex research questions in academic or clinical research settings.
• Evidence of effective cross departmental collaboration in the development of programs or services.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Cover Letter - Please address your qualifications for this position in a cover letter.
• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated CV - resume style preferred.
• List of Reference Contacts - Names of 3 potential references, including contact information and a brief statement of relationship to the applicant. Do not include letters of recommendation here.

About UC Irvine

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmsive Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

Job location

Irvine, CA