Social Science Data Librarian

Job Description:

The Brown University Library seeks a collaborative, team-oriented Social Sciences Data Librarian to join the Center for Library Exploration and Research (CLEAR). As a key member of the CLEAR Data Services team, the successful candidate will serve as an expert technical consultant and educator, supporting data-driven research and data literacy with a special focus on data science methods, social sciences, and emerging research methodologies.

The Social Science Data Librarian is responsible for providing high-level consultative support for the creation, processing, and analysis of numeric, financial, and survey data and is instrumental in designing curriculum-aligned educational programming. The essential functions of this position are to provide reference and consultative support to students and faculty in domains of responsibility; design, deliver, and assess curriculum-aligned educational programming with a focus on data science skills and practices; and conduct outreach to data-intensive academic programs and groups, including Economics, Sociology, Public Policy, and other related areas. Operating within a team-based model alongside specialists in GIS and data management, the Social Sciences Data Librarian will actively strengthen related library services and partnerships across the Brown community and support emerging research methodologies to advance the University’s interdisciplinary scholarly mission.

Brown University Library is a dynamic center of scholarship and academic community, and a vital contributor to Brown’s mission as a distinctive, diverse, and world-class research university. Through its foundational services and distinctive programs, the Library fuels the intellectual creativity and academic community that is Brown’s hallmark.  Reflecting Brown’s interdisciplinary ethos, the Library is a highly collaborative organization across individual content area portfolios and Library departments, and through partnership with other academic and administrative units at the University.  Exemplifying the University’s values of academic freedom, open inquiry, and advancing diversity and inclusion in pursuit of academic excellence, we seek outstanding library professionals at all levels who are eager to advance academic excellence at the highest level and who will bring a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and abilities to our scholarly community.

Reporting to the Director of the Center for Library Exploration and Research, ​​this position will be hired at the Librarian II rank within the Brown University Library’s Program for Library Professionals, a professional development initiative designed to support career advancement

Education and Experience

Required

• ALA-accredited master’s degree in library or information science or other advanced degree in a related field, such as social science.
• Minimum of three years experience providing data-related services in an academic or professional setting.
• ​​Academic background or work experience with the tools and methods in social science fields, such as data science, computational social science, demography, and/or policy.
• Demonstrated experience  with software for statistical, qualitative, and/or text analysis, such as SPSS, Stata, SAS, R, Python, NVivo, or data visualization tools, web scraping tools, data cleaning and similar methods.

Preferred

• Demonstrated expertise with information resources, research methodologies, and information technology tools and applications related to one or more of the following: qualitative research, and public policy methods such as polling and surveys, quantitative research, financial data.
• Knowledge about social science research and publication practices, including open access and open data.
• Knowledge of proprietary business and financial databases, such as WRDS, Refinitiv EIKON, or Datastream.

Job Competencies

• Excellence in the following: organizational skills, communication and interpersonal skills, time management, flexibility and problem solving, task prioritization.
• Teamwork - Initiative, flexible, and the ability to work creatively and effectively both independently and as a team member
• Engagement - Willingness to build meaningful relationships with campus partners, the students population, and colleagues in the Library
• Teaching and Learning - Develop appropriate, sustainable, inclusive, and accessible learning objects and documentation using a variety of tools and technologies
• Demonstrated commitment to public service and Library-based research and teaching support.

Best Consideration Date: 6/15/2026

Background check: All offers of employment are contingent upon a successful criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown.

Benefits of Working at Brown:

Please review additional information on the Benefits of Working at Brown.

Recruiting Start Date:

2026-04-20

Job Posting Title:

Social Science Data Librarian

Department:

University Library

Grade:

Grade 10

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

Position Work Location:

Hybrid

 

Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact employment@brown.edu.

Brown is an E-Verify Employer.

EEO Statement:

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.