Description

Associate Dean for Research & Education
The Ohio State University  
Columbus, OH

The Ohio State University Libraries aspires to be the model library advancing the educational, research, and engagement missions of a 21st-century public, land grant university. We seek a dynamic, growth-oriented, and values-driven leader to provide strategic direction for our Research and Education division in support of this vision. Reporting to the Vice Provost and Dean of University Libraries, the Associate Dean leads organizational efforts to advance knowledge creation, enable student success, and broaden community engagement through innovative programming supporting the academic excellence and research and innovation pillars of the university’s transformational Education for Citizenship 2035 strategic plan.

The Associate Dean partners to create a shared vision for and advance the development and implementation of an evolving portfolio of services that support the university’s educational and research missions. As a senior leader within the Libraries, the Associate Dean demonstrates in-depth knowledge of trends and emerging solutions in areas relevant to library-driven research, teaching, and learning support; seeks and cultivates mutually beneficial collaborations with campus partners and peer institutions; engages in appropriate national and consortial dialogs; and contributes to the discipline and practice of librarianship through active professional engagement.

A member of the Libraries’ senior leadership group, the Associate Dean joins a team that practices shared leadership, intentional communications, and participatory decision making. University Libraries’ faculty and staff embrace Ohio State’s Shared Values and strive to enact the behaviors guided by those values in all that we do. This position is dedicated to advancing the culture of University Libraries and the work of the Research and Education unit. All other duties as assigned.

Performance Objectives

• Leads the Research and Education division, including approximately 65 library faculty and staff comprising the fine arts, humanities and social sciences, and sciences subject area liaison cohorts; research services and teaching and learning units; and departmental libraries.
• Leads the division in developing strategic directions, implementing efficient and effective operations, and assessing service quality.
• Enables collaborations with campus partners to advance Libraries and university priorities.
• Serves as liaison to the university’s regional campus libraries, which are separately administered.
• Partners with the Associate Dean for Content and Access and the Associate Dean for Special Collections and Area Studies in leading the creation and assessment of organizational collection development and management strategies and policies.
• Partners with the Assistant Dean for Technology and Digital Programs and Associate Dean for Content and Access in advancing the discovery and access of information in support of research, teaching, and learning.
• Provides leadership within OhioLINK and Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) Center for Library Programs initiatives, among other collaborative efforts.
• Fosters a supportive, collaborative work environment, and encourages cross-divisional partnerships.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required:

• An ALA-accredited master’s degree, or a comparable graduate degree from a non-U. S. university (reviewed on a case-by-case basis). 
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in an academic or research library or comparable experience elsewhere.
• Knowledge and understanding of significant trends and issues in teaching and learning and/or research services librarianship.   
• Demonstrated success in planning, oversight, and administration, including effective leadership, supervision, coaching, and budgetary skills.
• Ability to inspire, build trust, lead organizational change, empower professional growth, and engage employees and stakeholders in delivering user-centered services.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, written, and collaboration skills for communicating complex issues and perspectives to a broad range of constituencies.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Record of research, publication, and scholarly achievement sufficient to warrant appointment with tenure at the Associate Professor level or above.

Desired:

• National or international reputation in teaching and learning and/or research services librarianship.
• Significant record of participation in relevant collaborative initiatives and professional associations.

Additional Job Description
The budget for this position is $145,000 to $170,000. The offer for this position will be based on internal equity and the candidate's qualifications.

Ohio State provides access to a depth and breadth of opportunities and resources. Starting your first day, Ohio State offers you a comprehensive benefits package.

Appointment
This is a full-time, regular, 12-month appointment as a tenure-track faculty member. The candidate will be required to meet university and Libraries requirements for promotion and tenure. Faculty rank at Associate Professor or Professor are dependent on qualifications and experience.

What Ohio State does matters. And how we do it matters. When we are at our best, we make a real difference to people. Our size, breadth, geography, history and standard of excellence position us to drive the future of higher education. We accept as our operational standard that the university should be a place where people can work and learn together in a safe environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation or intimidation. As such, finalists for any faculty position that carries tenure must sign an authorization and disclosure form, which will allow current or prior employer(s) to share information to the University regarding any findings of employment-related misconduct or disciplinary proceedings against a candidate and/or any pending investigations related to alleged misconduct. Such information shall include findings and pending investigations with respect to sexual harassment, violence, or harassment; research misconduct; financial fraud or misconduct; foreign influence violations, grant misuse or misconduct; and/or any other type of finding or pending investigation relating to a candidate’s employer’s policies and rules governing faculty conduct that may reasonably be expected to affect a candidate’s appointment. If the university becomes aware of any past finding of misconduct or pending investigations that were not disclosed, Ohio State will treat that as a serious omission and reserves the right to rescind an offer or terminate employment.

How to Apply
To be considered, please submit your application electronically and include Cover letter and Curriculum Vita (CV) or Resume.
https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/OSUCareers/details/Assistant-Director--BuckeyeThon_R142350-1?q=R142350

Application closes 03/22/2026.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. Additionally, there may be further requirements specific to the college or unit, which could include drug and health screenings, as well as faculty misconduct checks depending on the rank of the position.