University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Research and Instruction Librarian
Job Profile Title
Librarian B
Job Description Summary
The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School is one of the nation’s oldest and most distinguished law schools. Penn Carey Law offers a distinctive cross-disciplinary legal education, drawing on the depth and breadth of the University of Pennsylvania. The resulting intellectual opportunities and professional relationships bridge traditional boundaries and disciplines, making the Law School an extraordinarily supportive academic community for its scholars and students alike.
Penn Carey Law’s Biddle Law Library seeks intellectually curious and service-oriented applicants for a full-time Research & Instruction Librarian position. The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative team of librarians dedicated to providing exceptional research support and educational programming in support of the Law School’s teaching, scholarship, and service missions.
The Research & Instruction Librarian reports to the Head of Reference and Student Services and works closely with colleagues across the library in a team-based, collaborative environment.
This position is open to candidates from a wide range of professional backgrounds and is especially well‑suited to early‑career librarians, including recent graduates. The library will also consider lateral hires with relevant experience.
Candidates must possess a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-approved law school and either hold a master’s degree in library and information science (MLIS) from an ALA-accredited program or demonstrate a commitment to obtaining the MLIS degree no later than 2.5 years from the date of hire.
Appointment at the Librarian B or Librarian C level will be based on the successful candidate’s education, experience, and demonstrated competencies, consistent with University classification guidelines.
Job Description
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Serve as a library liaison to assigned faculty, providing personalized services that may include in-depth research support, identification of new and emerging resources, and current awareness services.
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Provide reference and research assistance to students, faculty, staff, and others through multiple service modes, including in-person consultations, email, chat, and telephone.
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Participate in the library’s instructional program by contributing to co-curricular education and training for courses, clinics, journals, and student organizations.
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If desired, teach credit-bearing legal research courses.
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Engage in ongoing professional development to remain current with developments in legal research tools and methodologies, instructional practices, and academic law librarianship.
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Participate in library projects, initiatives, and service activities as assigned.
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Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
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Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
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One of the following:
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Master’s degree in library and/or information science from an ALA-accredited program (preferred); or
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Current enrollment in an ALA-accredited master’s degree program in information or library science, with completion of the degree within two years of the date of hire; or
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Willingness to apply to and enroll in an ALA-accredited master’s degree program in information or library science within six months of hire, with completion of the degree within two years of enrollment.
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Strong service orientation and commitment to supporting the research and learning needs of a diverse academic community.
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Experience performing legal research in an academic, court, or law firm setting, or demonstrated interest in legal research as a professional focus.
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Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
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Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
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Librarian B: 2-3 years law library or equivalent combination of education/experience
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Librarian C: 3-5 years law library or equivalent combination of education/experience
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Interest in developing expertise in subject areas aligned with the library’s needs and priorities. The library’s highest current need is support for business, corporate, and transactional law research and teaching. Secondary areas of need include foreign, comparative, and international law research and teaching support, and collection development for all jurisdictions and formats.
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Experience or interest in teaching, training, or instruction, including classroom teaching, workshops, or one-on-one research instruction.
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2-3 years of experience with emerging legal information technologies.
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2-3 years of experience in legal practice.
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Demonstrated intellectual curiosity, adaptability, and commitment to ongoing professional growth.
The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law. For clarity, this includes not discriminating on the basis of ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, and military status as required by the American Bar Association Standard 205.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Law School
Pay Range
$57,500.00 - $87,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay
