Research Assistant Jobs in Irmo, SC (NOW HIRING)

JOB SUMMARY
The Division of Integrated Learning Services at Columbia College invites applications for an Assistant Librarian in Research and Instruction position beginning September 2026 or earliest available date.
The Research and Instruction Librarian promote and supports learning with a particular focus on the undergraduate programs at Columbia College, including first-year student programming and online support. The position provides leadership for developing the research and information literacy program for Columbia College. The Research and Instruction Librarian collaborate with faculty and staff to develop programming that cultivates a culture of implementing and using electronic and library resources among students, faculty, and staff. The Research and Instruction Librarian is responsible for evaluating and assessing Columbia College information literacy program, including developing learning outcomes that align with ACRL Information Literacy framework and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) library requirements.
The position reports to the Dean of Library, Learning & Student Success while collaborating with other members of the Library and Learning Commons faculty and staff. This is a full-time (i.e., twelve-month), faculty position. Participation in evening and weekend shifts is required, as needed.
This position is a twelve-month full-time faculty appointment. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to design and deliver instruction in a variety of formats and is expected to provide instruction and support to all undergraduate programs, including targeted support of first-year students in courses such as English 101 and 102, LA 100 and 110, etc. and some online courses. The candidate will incorporate the use of electronic resources in instruction. The candidate will work with the Educational Technology Librarian and campus' instructional designer and advisors in supporting interactive and professional instructions to all students and faculty.
The candidate is expected to have flexibility scheduling to meet the needs of the College. Faculty members are expected to participate in faculty governance and academic program activities, and to engage in service as well as scholarship and professional development.
Columbia College is a liberal arts college that is committed to creating a learning community that values diversity and inclusion. We seek candidates who will be innovative in teaching, leadership, and research while building collaborative relationships in the college and profession.
Columbia College offers a competitive benefits package.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Research and Information Literacy Management (60%)

• Develop, monitor, and maintain a comprehensive plan for information literacy (imagined broadly, to include media and digital literacy and misinformation/disinformation/bias/etc.) with learning outcomes and assessment in alignment with the ACRL framework for information literacy.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to develop activities and assignments that involve students in inquiry that supports the mission of the college, information literacy, media and digital literacy, and ethical use of information, with commensurate support for in-person and online learners.
• Provide course-based information literacy support through instructional sessions, scaffolded involvement, embedded support, or otherwise.
• Provide instructions on how to use electronic resources and library materials for research.
• Provide leadership for collaborative management and development of SpringShare LibGuides and other resources.
• Develop workshops, skillshops, drop-in sessions, or other in-person and virtual events that engage students and faculty broadly in research and information literacy, including designing workshops and instructional materials that support students' critical, ethical, and effective use of AI tools in academic contexts.
• Collaborate with other Learning Commons faculty and staff to support robust training for student employees to provide peer-to-peer mentoring in research and information literacy.
• Provide leadership for and participate in the effective delivery of research support in all modes, such as via chat, virtual appointments, etc.
• Participate in and support a consistent approach for documenting research and information literacy support and engagement in related programming for assessment purposes.
• Assume responsibility for the library and its programming, including supervising student assistants.
• Participate in the collection development of resources for the Reference and General Collections.
• Contribute to the development of LibGuides, and other online training modules and resources.
• Answer all research reference questions.
• Work with library staff in monitoring online chat.
• Rotate as needed at the reference desk and evening services.

Assessment Management: (15%)

• Maintain all assessments for statistical reporting, such as ACRL, and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) with particular attention to assessing outcomes for undergraduate and graduate students understanding of information literacy, digital literacy, and AI literacy.
• Apply data, assessment, and user feedback to evaluate effectiveness of information literacy instruction, including library workshops, and trainings.
• Work with the Dean of Library, Learning & Student Success to track, collect, and compile all library data for aligning with Columbia College's mission, goals, and student success.

Student Support: (15%)

• Partner and collaborate with accessibility services, academic services, career services, and library services to develop and strengthen working relationships to promote a synchronized focus on all aspects of research and instruction.
• Serves as the liaison in connecting and promoting research and instruction throughout ILS.
• Represent the library at orientation, career services, and other campus events promoting instruction, and library resources.
• Engage in professional learning and research related to best practices for ILS to support undergraduate, graduate, and online students' awareness of all services.
• Work with the Dean of Library, Learning & Student Success to evaluate the overall impact of an integrated division in providing services and support for all students.
• Work with the Dean of Library, Learning & Student Success in sharing the ILS model in higher education.
• Work with the Dean of Library, Learning & Student Success to identify funding resources to expand ILS.
• Participate in community life and activities of Columbia College, including student events.
• Perform other duties as required to support library services, career services, accessibility services, and academic advising.

Additional Responsibilities: (10%)

• Assist with supporting and creating online activities when applicable.
• Serve on campus committees and task forces as assigned.
• Engage in learning more about student support services.
• Engage in professional development through various means, such as:
  • Attending and presenting at local, state and/or regional conferences, workshops, webinars, etc. as budget permits.
  • Staying current on professional literature and webinars.
  • Conducting research for program development and presenting results.
• Performs other duties as assigned, within the general scope of the position description.
• Participates in community life and activities of Columbia College.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Master's Degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited master's program (MLS/MLIS).
• Minimum of one year in providing information literacy instruction in higher education.
• Minimum of 1-2 years of professional experience in an academic library.
• Knowledge of current practices and pedagogy for information literacy.
• Enthusiasm for learning how to provide integrated support services for all students at Columbia College.
• Enthusiasm for the learning culture of liberal arts institutions and for the mission of Columbia College.
• Demonstrated experience providing collaborative leadership.
• Demonstrated experience using best pedagogical practices for active learning preferred.
• Evidence of effective organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Competence with business math and written and verbal communication suitable in a business or professional setting.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, utilizing Outlook, Word, Excel and Microsoft Teams, or related software.

MLIS/MLS is required for this position. All required documents must be completed for the application to be reviewed. Columbia College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to learn innovative technology.
• Ability to provide instruction to students, staff, and faculty.
• Ability to work independently with little direction.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work.
• Ability to meet schedules and timelines.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Requires sedentary work that involves walking, standing, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work environment risks exposure to no known environmental hazards.
Applications
To apply, a candidate must submit the following materials through the online submission portal (all in one pdf file except for the cover letter, which may be uploaded as a separate document):

• A cover letter describing teaching interests/experiences.
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae
• A teaching statement that includes teaching philosophy and methodology
• A statement regarding research and other scholarly endeavors
• Names and contact information for three references, and
• Copies of graduate transcripts. Unofficial copies of transcripts will suffice for the initial application stage.

Review of completed applications will begin July 2026 and continue until the position is filled.
Inquiries may be directed to Dean of Library, Learning & Student Success, Dr. Monika Rhue, at mrhue@columbiasc.edu.
About Columbia College
Columbia College was founded in 1854 as Columbia Female College by the Methodist Conference of South Carolina. Today, Columbia College offers a personalized liberal arts education that is open and inclusive to all. The College provides educational opportunities that develop students' capacity for critical thought and expression, lifelong learning, and acceptance of personal responsibility.
Columbia College empowers students to change the world with Courage for Innovation, Commitment to Social Justice, Confidence through Service, and Competence in Leadership. In furtherance of its mission, the College is responsive to the needs of students, the communities to which it belongs, and the greater global society.
Columbia College encompasses the historic undergraduate day college as well as evening, online, and graduate programs. Total enrollment is approximately 1850. The College is noted for faculty who foster academic excellence through collaborative teaching and learning; a vital learning community in which character, ethics, and values are cultivated; the study of leadership enhanced by opportunities for practical application; programs that capitalize on advances in technology; and learning environments that extend beyond the classroom.
EOE M/F/D/V