Assistant Professor, Tenure Track (Open Rank) - Academic Belonging and Research Engagement Librarian

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Position Description:

The University of Louisville Libraries seeks forward-thinking and enthusiastic candidates for the new tenure-track position of Academic Belonging & Research Engagement Librarian. Reporting to the Associate Director of Ekstrom Library, this entry-level position will contribute directly to university priorities around student success and retention, including the LEARN pillar of UofL’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes expanding access to high-impact educational opportunities, including undergraduate research, while reducing barriers to participation and promoting equitable student outcomes. The successful candidate will join a team of highly collaborative librarians in the Research Assistance and Instruction Department and help coordinate high-impact initiatives that strengthen academic belonging, confidence, and self-efficacy among undergraduate students and create pathways into academic research environments, particularly for students who may experience barriers to participation, such as first-generation, military-connected, transfer, and other non-traditional students.

The Academic Belonging & Research Engagement Librarian will support the ongoing development of our signature student success initiatives, including our First-Generation Scholars Research Fellows program, currently in the early stages of development. This new program introduces students to foundational research methods and resources, while fostering academic belonging, confidence, and scholarly identity formation. The Academic Belonging & Research Engagement Librarian will work with fellow Ekstrom librarians, other University Libraries’ librarians, and campus partners to help build and manage the fellows program, including conducting outreach to faculty and students across academic units. 

Other signature initiatives include our Undergraduate Research Award, Affordable Learning Program, and workforce readiness activities focusing on generative AI and emerging technologies. The Academic Belonging & Research Engagement Librarian will have an opportunity to contribute to these initiatives and will also support general research, information literacy, and liaison services in the library, primarily in the humanities.

Entry-level candidates, including current MLIS students with an anticipated graduation date of December 2026, are strongly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will have opportunities for mentoring and support while developing expertise in student success, liaison work, and program development.

Primary Responsibilities.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of Ekstrom Library programs that advance academic belonging, confidence, and engagement, including curricular and co-curricular learning opportunities.
• Develop and support creative programming that builds research confidence, scholarly identity, and engagement, including the First-Generation Scholars Research Fellows program and other emerging initiatives.
• Create welcoming environments and pathways into Ekstrom Library services and scholarly practices for students who may have limited prior exposure to academic research environments.
• Collaborate with other librarians to provide liaison services for campus organizations such as the Center for Belonging, Access, and Engagement and partner with campus units to identify opportunities for scholarly engagement and participation in high-impact educational practices.
• Support undergraduate learning and transferable academic and research skill development by building productive relationships with academic units and providing relevant instructional and consultative services.
• Serve as a team member in Ekstrom Library’s Research Assistant and Instruction Department (RAI) and assume library liaison duties to academic colleges and/or departments as needed within RAI, and as they align with a candidate’s background and interests.

• Contribute to the development of online learning content to support student academic success.
• Assist with library promotional events and relationship-building activities, including outreach to first-year students during their orientation sessions.   

• Engage in research, service, and professional development activities as a tenure-track faculty member.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program (or international equivalent) in library or information science.
• Education, experience, and/or strong interest in undergraduate learning, student engagement, and current and emerging research methodologies.
• Enthusiasm for leading and contributing to innovative library programs and services.
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication.
• Creative and flexible mindset with an ability to successfully collaborate with others.
• Potential to meet the University Libraries’ criteria for promotion and tenure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with and/or knowledge of higher education trends and practices pertaining to student success, student development, and academic belonging.
• Experience teaching and/or working with undergraduate students, including first-generation students and other groups.
• Experience providing research assistance or other services in an academic library setting.
• background or experience working in the humanities or other academic areas relevant to the position.

Additional Information:

This is a twelve-month, tenure track faculty position at the rank of Instructor or Assistant Professor. The minimum starting salary for Instructor is $55,000 per year; the minimum starting salary for Assistant Professor is $60,000 per year.

Entry rank and salary are negotiated at the time of offer and are dependent on the experience and professional achievement of the successful candidate. The successful candidate will receive a comprehensive benefits package, an annual vacation of 22 working days, and support for professional development. Promotion and tenure requires demonstration of scholarship and successfully satisfying other criteria.

The application review period begins on October 19, 2026, and applications are accepted until the position is filled.  Submit AS ONE PDF a letter of interest detailing your familiarity, aptitude, and/or experience with the position qualifications; CV/resume; and name, address, phone number, and e-mail address of three references via the online application at UofL’s Workday Career site.

If you have questions or would like assistance with the application process, please contact Kristina Bloch, Engineering Librarian, Ekstrom Library, [email protected]. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Louisville is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The University strives to provide equal employment opportunity on the basis of merit and without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, or pregnancy. In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veteran Readjustment Act of 1974, the University prohibits job discrimination of individuals with disabilities, Vietnam era veterans, qualified special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans. The University acknowledges its obligations to ensure affirmative steps are taken to ensure equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. It is the policy of the University that no employee or applicant for employment be subject to unlawful discrimination in terms of recruitment, hiring, promotion, contract, contract renewal, tenure, compensation, benefits, and/or working conditions. No employee or applicant for employment is required to endorse or condemn a specific ideology, political viewpoint, or social viewpoint to be eligible for hiring, contract renewal, tenure, or promotion.

Consistent with applicable law, demographic information is collected for aggregate reporting requirements. Demographic information provided through this application is not available to hiring managers/committees and is not considered in hiring or employment decisions.

Assistance and Accommodations

Computers are available for application submission at the Human Resources Department located at 2315 South First Street Walk, Room 02C - Louisville, Kentucky 40292.

If you require assistance or accommodation with our online application process, please contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone 502-852-6258.