Virtual Reference Librarian Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

Job Description: Department/Organization 219101 - University Libraries Rank Assistant/Associate Professor Position Summary The University of Alabama Libraries seeks a creative and motivated individual to join the Research Computing Services team as the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Librarian. Reporting to the Director of Research Computing Services, this position serves a dual role, supporting AI-assisted workflows and services within University Libraries and participating in multimodal library and information literacy instruction. Detailed Position Information The AI Librarian will collaborate with University Libraries colleagues and campus partners to identify, develop, and implement AI-driven solutions that enhance library workflows and services. Areas of focus may include AI-assisted applications for internal library operations, such as collection management, interlibrary loan, cataloging, metadata generation, transcription, indexing, and workflow automation, as well as end-user services, such as custom library chatbots, and recommendation and discovery systems. Responsibilities also include providing consultations, instruction, training, outreach, and support for initiatives related to AI and related technologies within various phases of research and learning across campus. This position will develop and maintain AI and research computing related educational tutorials and documentation. The AI Librarian will assist in the oversight of University Libraries student developers who provide research computing services such as workshops, walk-in coding support, and developing custom scripting for computational teaching and research projects. The AI Librarian will develop AI and related use-cases for student developer projects that support AI and computational research methods internally within University Libraries and across the disciplines supporting faculty, staff, and students. The AI Librarian will serve as a subject area liaison based on the evolving needs for research and instructional support. This position will be responsible for developing a robust instruction and outreach program, both in-person and online, while also offering AI related software application training and support services based on the assigned disciplines. This position will work collaboratively within University Libraries to promote and integrate research computing and data services into library instruction and workshops across the disciplines. Liaisons support both in-person and virtual instruction, reference, and outreach in assigned areas and will be expected to collaborate with teaching faculty on library assignments and actively create digital learning objects in support of teaching and research. The AI Librarian will be expected to develop a robust suite of structured information instruction and reference services. All liaisons participate in UA’s First Year Experience library instruction and weekly chat service. Moreover, all liaisons within University Libraries are actively incorporating AI as appropriate into their instruction, for example teaching emerging AI tools within library databases. The AI Librarian will coordinate AI activities among liaisons and across University Libraries, assist with developing AI literacies, as well as provide advanced AI support, for example assistance with locally run generative AI models for students and faculty or use of custom AI agents within instruction. This position works with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and is expected to build and sustain relationships within University Libraries, with campus partners such as the High-Performance Computing and Data Center and the Alabama Center for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, and with colleges and universities across the state, region, and nation. The person in this position will be encouraged to pursue grant writing opportunities and submission of grants relevant to the mission of University Libraries and The University of Alabama. The successful candidate must possess the ability to approach change, ambiguity, and complex problems that are typical of a research university setting. Responsibilities of the position may change as University Libraries continues to evolve. SALARY/BENEFITS: 12-month tenure track faculty appointment at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank. Salary is $100,000.00 - $120,000.00, commensurate with qualifications, experience, and advanced degrees. Strong benefits, including professional development support, tuition fee waiver, and matching retirement contributions. Minimum Qualifications • Master's in Library & Information Sciences from an ALA-accredited institution or a doctoral degree in a relevant field. • Experience with Python and scientific computing libraries including NumPy, Pandas, and scikit-learn. • Familiarity with additional scientific computing or data science languages such as R, Julia, C++, Wolfram, or MATLAB. • Experience managing development environments, including tools such as conda, containers, and version control systems. • Experience developing or customizing AI tools such as creating custom agent instructions, configuring AI assistants, or using AI development APIs. • Knowledge of the AI/ML model landscape, including generative AI, computer vision, multimodal models, natural language processing, and other domain-specific models. • Familiarity with Linux based research computing environments including command line tools and connecting to remote servers. • Ability and interest to serve as a subject area expert in STEM liaison areas. • Ability to learn and apply new technical skills and tools through self-directed learning. • Ability to conceptualize, articulate, and implement short and long-range goals. • Ability to work independently and as a team member to solve problems, using sound judgment in decision-making according to an established timeframe. • Commitment to conduct research and scholarship consistent with the requirements of a tenure track appointment; commitment to engage in continuing profession development and service. • Excellent verbal and written communication, including associated skills such as listening, negotiating, and adapting. • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a complex and changing environment • Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively and complete tasks according to an established timeframe while managing multiple priorities and consistently meeting deadlines. • Adaptability, flexibility, and willingness to engage in continuous learning to meet the changing needs of library users. • Ability to support and enhance a robust learning and working environment. • Responsibilities change as the University Libraries continue to evolve. • Ability to meet the requirements for tenure and promotion. • Evidence of ability to engage in research, librarianship, and service consistent with the University’s and Libraries’ guidelines for faculty promotion and tenure. Preferred Qualifications • Doctoral degree in a STEM or related quantitative social sciences field. • Experience with teaching or creating computing related tutorials. • Experience running local language models using open-source tools such as llama-cpp or Ollama. • Experience with LLM-based retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) workflows. • Experience with model libraries and frameworks such as PyTorch and Transformers for developing or running AI/ML models. • Experience with natural language processing. • Experience working with high-performance computing (HPC). • Experience submitting grant proposals. • Evidence of an active published research portfolio. • Knowledge of reference/instructional services in an academic library setting. • Knowledge of trends and services in academic libraries to support undergraduate, graduate, and online education • Knowledge of current and emerging trends in information literacy instruction and information technologies. • Awareness of new and emerging technologies and how they can be utilized in an academic library. • Ability to successfully initiate, track, and manage projects. • Understanding of ways to market and promote instruction, collections, and services to assigned liaison areas and various programs. Instructions and Required Materials for Application Applications are accepted online only at https://careers.ua.edu. Click Faculty Jobs, then University Libraries. Please include your application, Curriculum Vitae, cover letter, and names, addresses, phone numbers, and e- mail addresses of three references, including one current supervisor. Consideration of applications will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. Applications received by September 11, 2026, are assured of receiving full consideration. For questions regarding the search, contact Michael Arthur, Senior Associate Dean, at maarthur@ua.edu. About the Division/College/School The University of Alabama Libraries, a system of seven separate discipline-related libraries, is proud to support the research enterprise at the University of Alabama via a comprehensive and integrated network of resources, services, and technologies designed to meet the academic and research needs of students, faculty, and staff. We take pride in serving as a hub for innovation, knowledge creation and dissemination, research assistance, and collaborative learning. As a U.S. Government Documents Regional Depository since 1860, University Libraries also serves the public and our local community. The University of Alabama Libraries maintains memberships in the Association of Research Libraries, the Center for Research Libraries, the Greater Western Library Alliance (GWLA), the Coalition of Networked Information, centerNET, LYRASIS, HathiTrust, the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, LOCKSS, the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries, and the Alabama Digital Preservation Network. University Libraries provides strong mentorship for faculty and staff, with ongoing collaborative opportunities, and administrative support for innovative services and ideas. We promote and administer a robust professional development environment that supports faculty research and conference travel, and we are invested in academic freedom with teaching and research. We are heavily invested in performing the same high value research that our stakeholders produce, and that assists in our data-driven strategic planning for the future. Our staff routinely update and maintain cutting edge programs of service in support of our stakeholders. Our faculty librarians have developed a record-breaking instruction program, including a series of research data services and workshops, that consistently perform at the top of the SEC. UA is located in Tuscaloosa, a metropolitan area of over 250,000, with a vibrant economy, a moderate climate, and reputation across the South as an innovative, progressive community with an excellent quality of life. If working with a talented group of professionals who value service, innovation, and high achievement, earning a nationally competitive starting salary, in a thriving college town, with a low cost of living, close to Birmingham, Atlanta, Nashville, New Orleans, and the Gulf Coast sounds interesting to you, start your application process with us to learn more! Prior to employment the successful candidate must pass a pre-employment background investigation. About the University The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, named one of Travel + Leisure’s 25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S. As one of the nation’s premier universities, UA offers bachelor’s, master's and doctoral degrees in nearly 200 fields of study. With more than 1,400 acres of tree-lined academic core campus and over 300 state-of-the art facilities, UA has been ranked among the most beautiful and most impressive college campuses in the South, in the state of Alabama and in the nation. In Fall 2023, the Capstone set a new enrollment record with more than 39,000 students, including more than 8,200 in the freshman class. The current enrollment includes students from every county in Alabama, every state in the nation and 92 countries around the world. More than 1,100 National Merit Scholars are currently enrolled, making UA one of the largest enrolling institutions of the scholars in the country. UA was recently recognized as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. students for the seventh time in nine years, as well as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. Scholars for the first time. UA is one of only 12 universities in the nation to receive both honors. For reasons like this, the University made Forbes list of America’s Top Colleges for 2023 and Time magazine’s list of Top 50 Best Colleges for Future Leaders. It also made Princeton Review’s list of Top Value Colleges. UA is also designated among the top doctoral research universities in the United States in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. One of the fastest growing major research institutions in the nation, UA saw a 21% increase in sponsored awards in the 2023 fiscal year. Since 2015, UA has invested over $1.1 billion in the physical campus, adding more than 2.55 million gross square feet of space, over 150 new research-intensive faculty, signature research areas (e.g., “The Alabama Research Institutes”), and a growing number of partnerships with industry and with state and federal agencies. The University employs nearly 2,100 faculty and over 4,500 staff, with 52 UA researchers included in the National Academy of Inventors. An additional 40 current faculty have received the NSF CAREER Award, the nation’s most prestigious recognition of top performing young scientists in disciplines ranging from nanoscience and engineering to biological sciences. Background Investigation and EEO Statement Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made. Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available