Overview:
Auburn University Libraries seeks a creative, enthusiastic, and mission-oriented individual to join as a Research & Instruction Services Librarian for the Social Sciences. Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Teaching, Learning, and Academic Engagement of the Libraries, the successful candidate will join a team of user-focused subject specialist librarians who serve as liaisons to one or more academic departments or programs. As liaisons, Research and Instruction librarians conduct information literacy instruction, provide reference and research assistance, and manage collections. Additionally, this position will contribute to the Libraries’ general education and first-year composition efforts as a member of the department’s Instruction Team. This twelve-month tenure-track position requires professional and scholarly activity as well as service on library, university, and professional committees. For more information about Auburn University Libraries, please visit https://www.lib.auburn.edu/.
Auburn University Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL), Hathi Trust, Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), and other organizations of academic institutions. The Libraries has completed its strategic plan in alignment with Auburn University’s Strategic Plan 2035.
Auburn University is one of the nation’s premier public land-grant institutions. In 2024, it was ranked 47th among public universities by U.S. News and World Report. Auburn maintains high levels of research activity and high standards for teaching excellence, offering Bachelor’s, Master’s, Educational Specialist, and Doctoral degrees and the professional degrees. Its 2024-2025 enrollment of 34,145 students includes 27,907 undergraduates and 6,238 graduate and professional students. The University is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, its positive work environment, its student engagement, and its beautiful campus.
Auburn residents enjoy a thriving community, recognized as one of the “best small towns in America,” with moderate climate and easy access to major cities or to beach and mountain recreational facilities. Situated along the rapidly developing I-85 corridor between Atlanta, Georgia, and Montgomery, Alabama, the combined Auburn-Opelika-Columbus statistical area has a population of over 500,000, with excellent public-school systems and regional medical centers in the areas.
Auburn University is understanding of, and sensitive to the family needs of faculty, including dual-career couples. Additional information can be found on our website: https://www.auburn.edu/academic/provost/pdf/guidelines-dual-career-services.pdf
Salary / Benefits: Minimum salary of $60,000 for an Assistant Professor. Salary will be commensurate with experience/qualifications. This is a twelve-month tenure-track position. Benefits include 20 days of vacation leave/12 days of sick leave per year; participation in State Teachers’ Retirement System (mandatory); additional voluntary retirement plans available; health/dental/life/disability insurance.
Special Instructions: Application review process begins June 11, 2026, and will continue until a qualified candidate is selected and recommended for appointment. A complete application must include a letter of interest, resume or curriculum vitae, and the names of three current professional references (please include mailing addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers). The candidate selected for this position must be able to meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time when the appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment. For questions, contact the search committee chair, Kasia Leousis at
[email protected].
Responsibilities:
- Serve as liaison and conduct outreach to students, staff, and faculty within the College of Liberal Arts in one or more social science disciplines
- Provide subject-specific research support to students, staff, and faculty in assigned liaison area(s)
- Provide information literacy instruction in support of the Libraries’ general education efforts, including the first-year composition program
- Develop and teach outcome-based, subject-specific information literacy instruction sessions. Some evening and weekend instruction service may be required.
- Create online instructional materials in assigned liaison area(s) for undergraduate and graduate students
- Select materials to support research and teaching for assigned liaison area(s); coordinate collection development policies and strategy with the Libraries’ Collections Strategist and serve as member of the Libraries’ Collection Development Group
- Provide subject-specific reference services using innovative tools, both virtual and in-person, for the University community as well as members of the public
- Perform other duties and assist with special projects as assigned
Qualifications:
Minimum:
- Master of Library Science or equivalent from an ALA accredited program at the time employment begins
- Teaching experience or coursework relevant to information literacy instruction
- Demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Strong and effective written and oral communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, including evidence of the ability to initiate and carry projects through to completion
- Demonstrated ability to contribute collegially and productively in a team environment
- Potential to meet university promotion and tenure requirements for library faculty
Desired:
- Experience in an academic library setting providing information literacy instruction, managing collections, providing reference services, or conducting outreach to students or faculty in the social sciences
- An advanced degree in a social science discipline
- Familiarity with key information resources and data sources in the social sciences
- A record of professional engagement and scholarly research activity
Pay Range: USD $60,000.00 - USD $70,000.00 /Yr. Why Work at Auburn?:
- Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
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Culture of Excellence:We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
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We’re Here for You:Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
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Sweet Home Alabama:The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
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A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!
Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement:
It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.
