Archivist (Digital Collections) - American Institute of Physics

WHO WE ARE:

The American Institute of Physics (AIP) is a federation of 10 Member Societies which in turn have about 120,000 members across the globe. Founded in 1931, AIP is a federation that advances the success of our Member Societies and an institute that engages in research and analysis to empower positive change in the physical sciences. Our overarching strategy is to advance the physical sciences with a unifying voice of strength from diversity. We want you to become a part of our mission and join our dynamic team!

SUMMARY:

AIP is looking for a Archivist (Digital Collections) to join the Niels Bohr Library & Archives in the new AIP  Research team to coordinate our work and initiatives related to digital collections. The Archivist, as part of the AIP Research team, will support AIP’s goal to advance the physical sciences enterprise through research and analysis aimed at improving the understanding of the past and promoting future progress. The Archivist will have experience with born digital and digitized materials, web archiving, and will be responsible for accessioning, describing, and enabling use of archival items and collections, including institutional records, personal papers, and ephemeral items with a particular focus on the stewardship of our digital collections. The Archivist will create and maintain descriptive resources to best make archival collections available to researchers, assist with maintenance of NBLA web resources and outreach initiatives, and provide general reference service to NBLA patrons.

The Archivist will be integral to efforts to build up AIP’s library and archives programs — and AIP Research as a whole — as a recognized hub of authoritative research and expertise on the physical sciences enterprise. The Archivist will report to AIP’s Director of the Niels Bohr Library and Archives and collaborate with AIP’s historians, social scientists, librarians, archivists, science writers, and policy analysts.

Come join a team of energized, charismatic, collaborative, and passionate individuals and help make a difference through the physical sciences!

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Develop and maintain information architecture, with a focus on making collections accessible to researchers.
• Work with database management systems and assist in the implementation of standards for archival description.
• Accession and process collections, including rehousing materials, monitoring environmental conditions, and participating in disaster preparedness.
• Create metadata records, following established standards and practices such as Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS).
• Provide support to researchers by assisting with reference inquiries, directing them to relevant resources, and helping them navigate the archives' catalogs and finding aids
• Collaborate on and assist with outreach activities, including social media, exhibitions, educational programs, and public events.
• Assist with the preparation of materials for grant applications.
• Focus on long term planning for digital collections management, including implementation and maintenance of digital asset management systems.
• Contribute to and lead discussions around digitization strategy and rights/permissions for access to digital materials.
• Maintain ethical standards and legal requirements, including copyright laws, privacy concerns, and access restrictions.
• Collaborate with staff across AIP and the Research team to support the broader goals of the archive.
• Support and guide project assistants, interns, and other part-time staff as needed.
• Work with Director and other NBL&A staff, and staff across AIP, on strategic initiatives as needed

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

• Master’s degree in library science from an ALA-accredited program, or a Master's degree in history with relevant archival course work, or relevant equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of three years professional experience in library and/or archives settings, including volunteer and/or hands on graduate work in collections.
• Experience working with digital collections and associated metadata.
• Experience arranging, describing, and preserving archival collections.
• Knowledge of current archival descriptive standards and languages such as HTML, EAD, MODS, DACS, EAC-CPF, and others.
• An ability to write clearly, cogently, and analytically.
• Strong organizational abilities; experience planning, managing, and coordinating complex projects; responsiveness in communications, conscientiousness toward colleagues; and an ability to meet both short-term and long-term deadlines.
• Comfort in working with important stakeholders, including within AIP, scientific societies, universities, museums and archives, and donors.
• A willingness to undertake occasional travel, including international travel, for conferences, and other events.
• An ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Ability to work with computer software, particularly MS Access, Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Must be a team player and be comfortable collaborating with departments outside of the library.
• Must have excellent customer service skills.
• Experience with and interest in web archiving is preferred.
• Experience using digital asset management systems and/or content management systems..
• Experience creating standards-compliant web documents in HTML, MARC and other languages is preferred.
• Experience using social media for social outreach is preferred.
• Project management experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of science is not required, however experience and or interest in the history of science with a focus in the modern physical sciences or science policy is preferred.

TO APPLY:

Include a resume and a cover letter. We encourage you to apply even if your experience does not fully match the position description; at AIP we embrace considering people from a diversity of backgrounds and career experiences.

WHY JOIN US:

AIP embraces a flexible hybrid work environment to balance in-person collaborative work with remote work. The team works in a flexible, hybrid schedule and reports to our offices in College Park, Maryland and Washington, DC, as needed. Employees are required to reside in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC.

We offer comprehensive benefits, including generous paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, an annual retirement contribution of 10% of base pay, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and more.

Your colleagues at AIP are welcoming, gracious, and eager to help each other succeed. With our commitment to community service, institute-wide social opportunities, and ongoing learning and development, AIP is a rewarding place to work.

ABOUT AIP:

The American Institute of Physics is a dynamic, forward-thinking 501(c)(3) membership corporation of scientific societies. Our mission is to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity. AIP is a trusted and reliable source of information and analysis and is a center of excellence that advances the physical sciences enterprise through research and analysis aimed at improving the understanding of our heritage and promoting future progress.

Diversity welcome! Diversity is integral to our mission and is ingrained in everything that we do at AIP. We encourage and invite people of all backgrounds to apply and join our team. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, creed, marital status, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, personal appearance, national origin, ancestry, protected veteran status, or physical or mental disability.

AIP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer
EOE, including disability/Vets