Research Data Facilitator

NC State University Libraries; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

NC State University Libraries seeks a Research Data Facilitator to provide lifecycle data management support across disciplines, helping researchers plan, store, move, share, and preserve data while aligning with funder requirements.

You will collaborate with RFS, OIT, and ORI colleagues to develop pipelines, data-sharing strategies, and training materials for researchers, librarians, and staff. Hybrid work with occasional onsite engagement is expected.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices for research data management.
• Experience providing research data support; awareness of compliance issues surrounding research data.
• Demonstrated understanding of how researchers use HPC, networking, collaborative research tools, cloud storage and computing, and other cyberinfrastructure technologies.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Provide lifecycle research data management support from planning through closeout across disciplines.
• Consult with faculty and student researchers on data storage, movement, sharing, and preservation best practices.
• Develop data management plans and ensure funder compliance.
• Support data curation pipelines and identify repositories for open data sharing and long-term archiving.

Skills

Data management

Research data support

High-performance computing

Stakeholder relations

Communication

Collaborative work

Education

MLS/MIS or equivalent

Tools

Pipelines

Data transfer

Cloud computing

Job description

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.

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

• ALA-accredited MLS, MIS, or equivalent advanced degree

The Research Facilitation Service’s approach is rooted in fostering human-to-human connection with researchers, and communication is critical to this effort. Applicants are encouraged to view the application process as an opportunity to demonstrate how they think, approach, and communicate their own work, including carefully considering their use of generative AI in their materials. Applicants are furthermore encouraged to think broadly about and communicate how their skills and experiences transfer to the qualifications below, including in ways that may not be obvious, such as how non-library-specific skills and experiences speak to the position responsibilities. We strongly encourage and welcome applicants with a variety of backgrounds, interests, and experiences to apply for this position.

• 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

Preferred 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.

• 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