Research & Evidence Synthesis Librarian

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 & Evidence Synthesis Librarian

Job Profile Title

Librarian C

Job Description Summary

Please note: This position is open to both seasoned and junior-level professionals. Candidates hired at the Librarian B level will receive structured training and mentorship to develop and strengthen their skills in evidence synthesis, expert searching, and advanced research support. 

This role may be filled at the Librarian B or Librarian C level, depending on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

The Research & Evidence Synthesis supports the Dental Library’s Evidence Synthesis service. The ideal candidate for the Research and Evidence Synthesis Librarian position at the University of Pennsylvania's Dental Medicine Library must possess a robust and comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of evidence synthesis, expert searching, and systematic reviews. They should have a proven ability to create and deliver training on evidence synthesis topics, guide researchers and students through the evidence synthesis process from protocol to publication, and actively participate in systematic, scoping, rapid, and umbrella review teams. Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate expertise in developing and executing complex systematic search strategies and should be adept at providing outreach and communication to faculty and researchers to enhance awareness of library resources, services, and expertise.
Applicants should possess a strong track record of scholarly publications, as demonstrated by their co-authorship.

Based at the Dental Library, this position will work collaboratively with colleagues representing health, physical, and social sciences, as well as humanities, provisioning campus-wide support for systematic reviews and other high-level review publications.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with one day per week available for remote work, subject to departmental needs.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Collaborates with clinical and multidisciplinary teams, including CIGOH and external partners, to support systematic reviews and other evidence synthesis projects intended for publication. Applies established methods to evaluate and synthesize the literature and contribute to high-quality, reproducible research.

• Provides instruction and consultation on systematic search strategies to faculty, staff, residents, and students within Penn Dental Medicine and the Center for Integrated Global Oral Health. This includes supporting dental students throughout the four-year curriculum, guest lecturing in master’s-level courses, and delivering workshops focused on literature searching and evidence-based research practices for faculty development.

• Supports the development and delivery of a structured evidence synthesis service for faculty and researchers. Assists with creating and refining service policies and procedures, helping design and deliver training for librarians, tracking project participation and outcomes, and contributing to service assessment and reporting.

• Serves as a member of the Dental Library Information Services Team by providing consultations, instruction, LibGuide development, information literacy programming, and reference services, both in person and online. Contributes to planning and improving long-term library services that support research, student wellness, teaching, and learning in dentistry.

• Maintains current knowledge of evidence synthesis methods and expert searching practices. Explores new tools and approaches, including text and data mining and artificial intelligence applications.

• Works with the Coordinating Bibliographer for Dental Medicine to develop and manage clinical collections in print and electronic formats. Evaluates evidence-based and point-of-care clinical resources and makes recommendations to support clinical practice and decision-making. Participates in Penn Libraries committees as needed to contribute expertise in evidence-based practice and information management.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Librarian C Qualifications

• Master's degree and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• ALA-accredited degree in library and information science or equivalent in experience and training.
• Must possess a robust and comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of evidence synthesis, expert searching, and systematic reviews.
• Should have a proven ability to create and deliver training on evidence synthesis topics, guide researchers and students through the evidence synthesis process from protocol to publication, and actively participate in systematic, scoping, rapid, and umbrella review teams.
• Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate expertise in developing and executing complex systematic search strategies
• And should be adept at providing outreach and communication to faculty and researchers to enhance awareness of library resources, services, and expertise.
• Applicants should possess a strong track record of scholarly publications, as demonstrated by their co-authorship.

Librarian B Qualifications

• Master of Science, Master of Arts, and 2 to 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

• Basic understanding of evidence synthesis, expert searching, and systematic reviews, with a willingness to continue learning.

• Willingness to learn and assist with evidence synthesis training and to support researchers and students through the review process, from protocol development to publication, with guidance.

• Willingness to participate as a team member in systematic, scoping, rapid, and umbrella reviews.

• Willingness to. develop the ability to create and run systematic search strategies, with supervision and opportunities for skill growth.

• Interest in communicating with faculty, students, and researchers to promote library resources, services, and expertise.

• Interest in scholarly publishing, with some experience or potential to contribute to publications through co-authorship.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

University Library

Pay Range

$57,500.00 - $80,000.00 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.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay