Research and Instruction Librarian for the Social Sciences

About the role

Location: Lexington, VA. Washington and Lee University Library welcomes applications from collaborative, user-focused, and inclusive early career librarians to join the Research Services team as Research and Instruction Librarian for the Social Sciences. Reporting to the Head of Research Services, the Research and Instruction Librarian for the Social Sciences will serve as the primary liaison to disciplines in or related to the social sciences; contribute to general reference and instruction, collection management, and outreach activities in collaboration with the Research Services team; and participate in service and scholarship activities as a member of the University Library and College faculties. The position is a 12‑month, non‑tenure track faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor rank, beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Washington and Lee University is a nationally ranked, private liberal arts institution in Lexington, Virginia, integrating rigorous inquiry with accredited undergraduate programs in business and journalism and a graduate School of Law. The University Library stewards approximately 1.6 M physical and digital items in over 100,000 sq ft of public space, supports the Digital Culture and Information (DCI) minor program, and serves the university's mission of teaching, learning, and research through close engagement with undergraduate and campus communities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the library's primary liaison to academic departments in or related to the social sciences for supporting disciplinary teaching and research and facilitating communication between the library and departments (including information literacy instruction, subject‑based reference and consultative services, and departmental and individual outreach).
• As a member of the Research Services team, provide general outreach and expert research advice to students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community visitors.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the library to recommend selection and deselection of research and teaching resources for the library's collection.
• Serve as a faculty member of the College.
• Participate in teaching activities of the library, which may include advising students and/or teaching credit‑bearing courses