Research and Instruction Librarian

Research and Instruction Librarian

The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School is one of the nation’s oldest and most distinguished law schools. Penn Carey Law offers a distinctive cross-disciplinary legal education, drawing on the depth and breadth of the University of Pennsylvania. The resulting intellectual opportunities and professional relationships bridge traditional boundaries and disciplines, making the Law School an extraordinarily supportive academic community for its scholars and students alike.

Penn Carey Law’s Biddle Law Library seeks intellectually curious and service-oriented applicants for a full-time Research & Instruction Librarian position. The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative team of librarians dedicated to providing exceptional research support and educational programming in support of the Law School’s teaching, scholarship, and service missions.

The Research & Instruction Librarian reports to the Head of Reference and Student Services and works closely with colleagues across the library in a team-based, collaborative environment.

This position is open to candidates from a wide range of professional backgrounds and is especially well‑suited to early‑career librarians, including recent graduates. The library will also consider lateral hires with relevant experience.

Candidates must possess a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-approved law school and either hold a master’s degree in library and information science (MLIS) from an ALA-accredited program or demonstrate a commitment to obtaining the MLIS degree no later than 2.5 years from the date of hire.

Appointment at the Librarian B or Librarian C level will be based on the successful candidate’s education, experience, and demonstrated competencies, consistent with University classification guidelines.

• Serve as a library liaison to assigned faculty, providing personalized services that may include in-depth research support, identification of new and emerging resources, and current awareness services.
• Provide reference and research assistance to students, faculty, staff, and others through multiple service modes, including in-person consultations, email, chat, and telephone.
• Participate in the library’s instructional program by contributing to co-curricular education and training for courses, clinics, journals, and student organizations.
• If desired, teach credit‑bearing legal research courses.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to remain current with developments in legal research tools and methodologies, instructional practices, and academic law librarianship.
• Participate in library projects, initiatives, and service activities as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• One of the following:
  • Master’s degree in library and/or information science from an ALA-accredited program (preferred);
  • Current enrollment in an ALA-accredited master’s degree program in information or library science, with completion of the degree within two years of the date of hire; or
  • Willingness to apply to and enroll in an ALA-accredited master’s degree program in information or library science within six months of hire, with completion of the degree within two years of enrollment.
• Strong service orientation and commitment to supporting the research and learning needs of a diverse academic community.
• Experience performing legal research in an academic, court, or law firm setting, or demonstrated interest in legal research as a professional focus.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment.

• Librarian B: 2-3 years law library or equivalent combination of education/experience
• Librarian C: 3-5 years law library or equivalent combination of education/experience
• Interest in developing expertise in subject areas aligned with the library’s needs and priorities. The library’s highest current need is support for business, corporate, and transactional law research and teaching. Secondary areas of need…