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Research Librarian Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Research Librarian information

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$94K

How much do research librarian jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for research librarian in the United States is $59,852.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,000.00 and $78,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are research librarians?

Research librarians are information professionals who assist individuals and organizations in finding, evaluating, and using information resources for scholarly, academic, or professional research. They work in various settings such as universities, government agencies, and research institutions. Their responsibilities often include conducting literature reviews, managing databases, teaching research skills, and supporting the research needs of faculty, students, or clients. Research librarians are skilled in both traditional and digital research methods and play a key role in helping users access reliable and relevant information.

What Does a Research Librarian Do?

A research librarian works at an academic library at a college or university or at a public research institution, such as the New York Public Library or Library of Congress. As a research librarian, your primary duties are to assist students, scholars, and other researchers to find books and materials and provide them with advice on how to perform research related to their topic. Some academic librarians may perform their own original research as well. Others are more focused on reference services, acquisitions for their libraries, or handling rare books or other materials. Increasingly, research librarians have been working on how to integrate and advance information technology into libraries.

Is AI replacing librarians?

AI tools are increasingly used to assist research librarians by automating tasks like data organization, cataloging, and information retrieval. However, the role of a research librarian involves critical thinking, personalized assistance, and expertise that AI cannot fully replicate, so AI is more of a supplement than a replacement.

Are research librarians in demand?

Research librarians are in steady demand due to their expertise in information management, research support, and digital tools. Employment opportunities are often found in academic, corporate, and government settings, with a need for strong research skills and familiarity with library management systems. Job growth is expected to be stable as organizations continue to prioritize information access and research support.

What is the highest paid librarian?

The highest paid librarians are typically those in senior leadership roles such as library directors or chief librarians, especially in large academic, research, or specialized institutions. Salaries can exceed $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the organization, with advanced degrees and management skills often contributing to higher compensation.

How do Research Librarians typically collaborate with faculty and students to support academic projects?

Research Librarians often work closely with faculty and students by providing guidance on locating and evaluating scholarly resources, assisting with literature reviews, and teaching research skills workshops. They may participate in project meetings, offer individualized consultations, and help design effective search strategies for complex topics. This collaborative approach not only enhances research outcomes but also helps build strong relationships across departments, making Research Librarians integral partners in academic success.

How do you become a Research Librarian?

To become a research librarian, individuals typically need a master's degree in library science or information science from an accredited program. Relevant skills include information management, research techniques, and familiarity with library management systems; certification from a professional organization can also enhance job prospects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Research Librarian, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Librarian, you need expertise in information science, advanced research techniques, and a relevant master's degree such as an MLIS. Familiarity with specialized databases, digital cataloguing systems, and citation management tools is typically required. Exceptional analytical thinking, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal communication help provide tailored research support and instruction. These skills and qualities are critical for efficiently connecting users with reliable information and fostering academic or institutional research success.
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Infographic showing various Research Librarian job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,852 per year, or $28.8 per hour.
Research & Instruction Librarian

Research & Instruction Librarian

Augustana College

Rock Island, IL

$50K - $60K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Research amp; Instruction Librarian

About Augustana College:

Augustana College is a private, selective, residential liberal arts and sciences college with an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students. Our scenic 115-acre campus is located in Rock Island, Illinois, part of the Quad Cities metropolitan area along the Mississippi River, about 165 miles west of Chicago. The Quad Cities region has a population of approximately 450,000.

Augustana offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in nearly 100 majors and related academic programs, as well as a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology . Our student body includes 26% first-generation college students, 23% Pell Grant recipients, 24% students of color, and 12% international students. Strengthening our inclusive and welcoming community is central to the college’s mission and strategic plan. The strategic plan also prioritizes creating engaged learning experiences for students both inside and outside the classroom and building partnerships with communities in the Quad City region.

We seek candidates who are committed to fostering academically challenging, inclusive, and high-impact learning environments that support and engage a diverse student body. We are especially interested in candidates with strengths in teaching, scholarship, and service that are aligned with the strategic plan.

Position Overview:

Augustana College’s Thomas Tredway Library seeks an energetic, motivated, intellectually curious research and instruction librarian with a passion for teaching and supporting undergraduates and graduate students and a commitment to the role of the library in a liberal arts education.

The research and instruction librarian position includes responsibilities as liaison to the college’s STEM division and newly-acquired college of nursing and health sciences, as well as a coordinator role within the library to be assigned according to the candidate’s interests and abilities. As part of the library’s research and instruction team, this position shares responsibility for course-integrated information literacy instruction in the college’s First Year Inquiry course.

Augustana’s librarians work in an environment where the student experience is central and information literacy is well-integrated into the curriculum. Therefore, this position requires extensive information literacy instruction; innovative thinking about teaching, learning, and research; strong collaborations with librarians and classroom faculty; and dedication to promoting students’ sense of belonging throughout the library’s spaces and activities.

This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt, non-tenure-track faculty position.

Responsibilities:

  • Liaison responsibilities with students and faculty in the STEM division and the college of nursing and health sciences
  • Extensive course-integrated information literacy instruction in collaboration with faculty in the STEM division, the college of nursing and health sciences, and First Year Inquiry
  • Research assistance to students, faculty, staff, and public patrons
  • Collection development and management for STEM, nursing, and health sciences
  • Coordination of an element of the library’s services, to be assigned according to the candidate’s interests and abilities
  • Participation on the library’s management team and support for the library’s strategic goals and initiatives
  • Active participation in the campus community
  • Other duties as assigned

Education: MLIS or equivalent from an ALA-accredited program, or expected completion of the degree by August 2026

Required Qualifications:

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills with a diverse audience, including students, faculty, staff, and public patrons
  • Ability to provide information literacy instruction within a student-centered educational environment that prioritizes engaged learning
  • Commitment to teamwork and willingness to collaborate
  • Dedication to promoting access to library spaces, resources, and services
  • Commitment to fostering students’ sense of belonging in library spaces and activities

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Background or interest in one or more of the position’s liaison areas (biology; chemistry; kinesiology; environment, geography, and geoscience; health sciences; math and computer science; nursing; and/or physics and engineering) or a related field
  • Experience providing research assistance and/or instruction to undergraduates

EEO Statement:

Augustana College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Augustana College provides equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, and any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

Application Instructions:

An application will be considered “complete” if it includes the following elements:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • One-page statement of the applicant’s philosophy of librarianship
  • Names and contact information for three professional references

Questions about the position should be directed to library director Stefanie Bluemle at stefaniebluemle@augustana.edu.

Review of application materials begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, interested candidates should submit all materials no later than April 17.

Additional Information:

The budgeted compensation for this position ranges from $50,000 to $60,000 per year based upon minimum and preferred qualifications, education, experience, skills, and abilities. Actual placement within the range will depend upon experience, education, research, rank, and other relevant factors.

Augustana College offers a competitive and comprehensive benefit package to its employees to ensure our team is well cared for. Benefits include:

  • Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Retirement plan including eligibility to receive up to 7% contribution from the College.
  • Company sponsored short-term and long-term disability benefits as use of college facilities including a wellness center, gym and recreation center.
  • Tuition benefits for employees and their family members

You can learn more about our benefits program at our Benefits website.