The job purpose is to develop and deliver a portfolio of specialist information support services for AUHE staff, LIHS academic colleagues (where appropriate), and West Yorkshire NHS trust staff accessing the NIHR Research Design Service in order to facilitate the efficient production of high quality applied health services research.
The AUHE Information Specialists enjoy a collaborative working relationship with the University Library; however, the information services are distinct from the University Library Services providing bespoke services that are negotiated directly with LIHS and NHS research staff.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Take primary responsibility within a research project team for developing excellence in information searching and retrieval in line with recognised standards of best practice in applied research. To communicate results to colleagues in other disciplines ensuring the presentation of information passes robust peer review by information specialists.
Identify and evaluate developments in search methodologies, research information management and health information resources.
Use this knowledge to provide health information services to academic colleagues in the AUHE, LIHS and the NHS (West Yorkshire region) to develop high quality applied research proposals for NIHR, and other national and international funding bodies.
Use this knowledge to provide health information services to academic colleagues in the AUHE, LIHS and (where appropriate) other parts of the Faculty of Medicine to deliver high quality applied health research.
Develop and deliver training and advice to improve the efficiency of AUHE and LIHS research staff undertaking information work through updating their health research information literacy skills.
Develop and deliver information specialist teaching materials for LIHS postgraduate and CPD training courses.
Develop and deliver information specialty inductions to new members of AUHE staff and where appropriate LIHS/NHS research collaborators.
Take a lead role in the development of information services, training and advice in one area of software or subject expertise (e.g. EndNote software, social care research).Take a representative role in regional information specialist networks such as the Yorkshire Universities Health Librarians and to share experience locally with other Information Professionals across the University of Leeds.
Take a lead role in implementing the information specialist service evaluation and development strategy.
Take a lead role in managing the current awareness service, internal publications databases and acquiring information resources for the AUHE.
Take a representative role (in collaboration with the Senior Information Specialist) on LIHS working parties developing training and teaching strategies.
Work with the Senior Information Specialist to identify hardware and software investment opportunities for LIHS/AUHE supporting the LIHS strategy.
To manage own workload and prioritise work to deliver high quality and timely information search activities to projects. Where necessary, to engage with senior managers to identify extra resources to manage peaks in demand.
Work with LIHS research staff to identify current and future information requirements and develop and promote appropriate information resources and services which support the LIHS strategy.
Collaborate and liaise with University of Leeds Library Services and Information Systems Services (ISS) for development of service provision for LIHS research staff.
As the AUHE Webmaster hold responsibility for web development, content and maintenance of the AUHE website.
Maintain and update relevant IT and Information Management skills through attending training courses.
To maintain and develop professional skills through participation in professional events, training and membership of networks.
Develop and update systems for recording work activity.
Provide other appropriate information support and information management activities as agreed with the Senior Information Specialist.
Develop good working relationships with LIHS research staff to enable high quality service delivery and information sharing.
University Values
All staff are expected to operate in line with the universitys values and standards, which work as an integral part of our strategy and set out the principles of how we work together. More information about the universitys strategy and values is available at http://www.leeds.ac.uk/comms/strategy/
Person Specification
Essential
Undergraduate degree qualification
Either a postgraduate qualification in librarianship or information management, or substantial relevant experience
Experience of undertaking complex literature searches using online databases
Experience of providing professional information services
Experience of reading complex academic papers purposefully and objectively with an ability to select, assess and summarise research evidence
Ability to work not only within the team but also to manage day to day work and think independently, and to contribute to the planning of a comprehensive and tailored programme of information services support
Ability to work with health or science research colleagues covering a range of subject expertise on research projects
Excellent written and oral communication skills including report writing and experience of presenting complex concepts to a variety of audiences
Effective interpersonal and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise work, meet deadlines and maintain a high level of accuracy
Committed and able to produce consistently high quality work
Able to use own initiative and solve problems with a self motivated, enthusiastic and flexible approach to work
Willingness to undertake appropriate continuing professional development and administration
Computer literate; good working knowledge of a range of general software packages (e.g. Microsoft Office)
Proven ability to act professionally and observe rules of confidentiality as they apply to health care research
Desirable
Experience of reading scientific academic papers purposefully and objectively with an ability to select, assess and summarise research evidence
Knowledge of resources and search methodologies needed to support applied health research
Knowledge of resources and search methodologies needed to support health economics research
Experience of information work in a health related research environment
Experience of searching of health and social care databases
Knowledge of reference management software e.g. EndNote, Reference Manager
Knowledge of Web 2.0 tools
Experience of web development, preferably using Dreamweaver
Experience of organising and delivering training to small groups University of Leeds - 9 months ago
