GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a world-renowned organization dedicated to world-class science and technologies and applying them to the nation's security and well-being. LANL has a firmly established reputation as one of the premier research and development institutions in the world.

The LANL Research Library, one of the world's premier scientific libraries, has a current position open for a Graduate Research Assistant on the Library Team. We offer a creative setting in which information technologies are applied to scientific productivity. We have an internationally renowned active digital library research and development program where we focus on delivering state of the art information to the researchers' desktops. We aggressively pursue new ideas, services, products, and approaches to satisfy research needs. The successful candidate will actively partner with Laboratory researchers in support of our mission to facilitate access to and enhance the usability of information.

The Research Library's primary purpose is to support the Laboratory's mission and vision. Helping to optimize the customers' research time is critical to the success of the Research Library and to the overall success of the Laboratory. Customer focus and satisfaction are priorities. We actively work with customers to better understand their research needs and to provide the necessary tools at their desktops. We are a process-focused organization, we document processes, we collect and analyze customer data, we evaluate what customers are saying, and we take action based upon the customers' needs.

We are seeking an individual who is prepared to contribute to in an exciting, fast-changing environment. This position requires a person with a strong interest in taking initiatives and risks, adapts well to change, works collaboratively as a team member, and has a strong interest in fostering customer relationships.

Work Summary:

• Gain an in-depth knowledge of customer requirements to ensure Research Library products and services increase the Laboratory researcher's productivity
• Actively participate with customers in the field to better understand their needs and maximize the use of our products
• Train customers on the use of library products and services
• Give product update and training presentations at researcher's group/team meetings
• Conduct in-depth customer interviews to determine current and future customer needs
• Provide support at the Information Desk, as needed
• Provide excellent customer service, anticipating and exceeding the needs of our customers
• Participate in collection development process: review professional sources, recommend resources for inclusion
• Collect customer input and communicate that input back to the Research Library via appropriate channels
• Ensure that research information resources match the needs of Laboratory scientists
• Serve as an advocate for the Research Library and represent the library in Laboratory and industry activities
• Participate in professional development

Required Skills:

1. Experience working with customers, building relationships, determining customer needs, supporting those needs, all with a strong customer service commitment
2. Ability to use standard reference tools and library applications of information technology, including web-based and online resources to fulfill customer reference requests
3. Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and promote a positive working environment, spirit of cooperation and positive reactions to change and conflict resolution
4. Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, both written and oral which transcend diverse audiences
5. Motivational and problem-solving capabilities with a high degree of integrity, ethics, and dedication to the mission of the Laboratory
6. Quick learner with a willingness to learn on-the-job
7. Demonstrated ability to set and accomplish goals, work under pressure, and meet deadlines
8. Demonstrated experience working independently and collaboratively as a team member

Desired Skills:

1. Experience working in a scientific research library or information center
2. Formal training in a scientific field (e.g. computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biosciences, environmental sciences, etc.)
3. Education: Master's level degree (completed or in process) in information science, library science, or equivalent degree and experience

Contact: Submit resume or application materials via email to Research Library opportunities at the Los Alamos National Laboratory: rlopps at lanl.gov.

Please contact us if you have any questions.