Evidence Synthesis Librarian (3-year term)

Title: Evidence Synthesis Librarian (3-year term)

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: Other Academic Units

Department: Lib - Res & Learning Services

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule:Full Time

Work Arrangement:Remote

Job Summary

The Evidence Synthesis Librarian will support evidence synthesis research across campus as a member of the UMass Amherst Libraries' Evidence Synthesis Partnership. Their primary responsibility will be to collaborate with researchers from a range of disciplines to design search strategies, provide methodological guidance, and encourage adoption of best practices. Additional roles will include limited instruction and consultation support for student systematic reviews training liaison librarians in systematic searching; and contributing to the continual improvement and refinement of workflows and processes.

Essential Functions

Make significant contributions to research collaborations with UMass Amherst-based review teams by, for example, providing methodological guidance, supporting protocol creation, designing and translating systematic search strategies, creating comprehensive documentation, and administering projects in Covidence.

Serve as an author on manuscripts that result from collaboration with review teams by drafting relevant portions of methods sections, providing comments and revisions on final manuscripts, and claiming responsibility for the work's integrity as a whole.

Respond to expressions of interest and explain the service model during intake consultations.

Mentor and train other librarians in evidence synthesis methods and best practices.

Support graduate student systematic review projects by providing instruction and research consultation.

Stay current with developments in evidence synthesis methodologies related to topics such as: open scholarship, grey literature, artificial intelligence, policy impact and dissemination strategy, novel review type methodologies, etc.

Continually evaluate and experiment with new tools, workflows, and processes to improve rigor, reduce error, and create efficiencies.

Participate in professional development and continuing education activities, including participating in interest groups, doing service in professional and scholarly associations, and presenting and publishing on work-related topics.

Serve on the Evidence Synthesis Working Group and contribute a perspective on strategy, challenges, and opportunities to further the development of the Evidence Synthesis Partnership.

Contribute to team initiatives at the Science & Engineering Library to promote a dynamic, innovative, and supportive culture.

Other Functions

Perform other related duties as assigned or required to meet the goals of the unit, department, Libraries, and University.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in library science - or equivalent degree - from a program accredited by the American Library Association, or its appropriate equivalent in librarianship from another country, or have appropriate equivalent experience.

Minimum of 24 months of experience supporting evidence synthesis in a research or educational setting.

Strong grasp of systematic searching techniques and best practices for translating complex search strategies across a variety of platforms (Ovid, EBSCO, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, etc.).

Demonstrated ability to explain and elaborate on distinctions between review types, the librarian's role in evidence synthesis settings, expected timelines for completing a research project, core methodology guidelines and reporting standards, systematic searching, protocol development, and other aspects of conducting an evidence synthesis.

Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a positive, constructive, flexible, and cooperative manner. Ability to respond effectively to changing needs and priorities showing initiative and flexibility.

Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to foster a collegial work environment that encourages change and innovation. Strong written and oral skills, including presentation skills. Strong service ethic and the ability to interact effectively and work productively and collaboratively with a variety of colleagues and levels of staff.

Scientific mindset, willingness to explore ideas and participate in divergent thinking, and propensity to tinker and experiment.

Ability to work a flexible schedule which includes some evening, weekend, and holiday hours as needed.

Demonstrated ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively and to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness within the UMass Amherst Libraries and the campus.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading or serving as a member of a library evidence synthesis service.

Experience working as a liaison librarian with one or more academic areas with a demonstrated interest in evidence synthesis: health sciences (especially nursing), psychology and neuroscience, environmental science, education, or agriculture.

Demonstrated experience providing instruction or consultation support for student systematic review projects.

Experience with designing, conducting, or supporting grey literature searches.

Experience with specialized software tools to support evidence synthesis, such as Covidence, DistillerSR, Rayyan, SRDR+, Systematic Review Accelerator, etc.

Additional Details

This is a Three year Term limited position.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week.As this position falls within the Massachusetts Society of Professors (MSP) Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the MSP Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

It is expected that the salary range for this position is between $70,725 and $105,586. The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on consideration of all relevant factors when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

Please note:

The low-end of the pay range in all faculty/librarian searches at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is the minimum salary for the rank included in the collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Massachusetts Society of Professors, UMass Amherst/MTA/NEA.

The high-end of the pay range reflects an increase above the median salaries at this rank within the department for faculty who may have multiple years of faculty/librarian experience

Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a cover letter and resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

Review of applications will begin on a rolling basis starting June 4, 2026, and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. The position will close on July 3, 2026. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.