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Job Title Bibliometric Specialist
Job Reference DIA0891/TH
Post Type
Division CEO's Office
Salary information Circa £30k
Application deadline 20/12/2013


Job Description

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. By accelerating electrons to near light-speed, Diamond generates brilliant beams of light from infra-red to X-rays which are used for academic and industry research and development across a range of scientific disciplines including structural biology, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, earth and environmental sciences.

We are looking for an individual who will be able to join the Communications team and provide advice on bibliometrics assessments, develop benchmarks for the organisation. The team looks after the Publications Database, our repository of the journal articles, conference papers, PhD theses and book chapters related to the facility.   

The post holder will provide high quality bibliometric analyses to assist Diamond in developing metrics based on the growing portfolio of peer reviewed articles produced by the facility to be used for a wide range internal and external reporting.

The post holder will also work closely with the science and technical teams at Diamond involved in regular publishing of peer review articles.  A strong focus of the role will be on liaison and successfully relationship-building with staff and users from wide range of disciplines.

To provide high quality bibliometric analyses to assist Diamond in developing metrics based on the growing portfolio of peer reviewed articles produced by the facility to be used for a wide range internal and external reporting.

Research impact and bibliometrics

  • Promote and advise on effective strategies for maximising research impact of Diamond. (Note that “research impact” covers much more than just the impact of peer-review publications; bibliometric work relates to one specific aspect of research impact);
  • With leadership from the Science Directors and CEO, establish benchmarks and report on Diamond’s research outputs with relevant facilities and institutions nationally and internationally;
  • Promote an understanding of bibliometrics across the company and their role in increasing impact;
  • Ensure that Diamond fully exploits the use of bibliometrics in the external and internal evaluation of the quality of staff and user research;
  • Analyse and evaluate reports, and produce data relating to research performance; 
  • Use the most appropriate measurement tools to carry out these assessments and identify strategies for improving for example citation rates;
  • Provide expertise and advice on national and research funders’ policies with regard to the use of bibliometrics as a measurement of research quality;
  • Working with other staff members so the communications team, maintain, develop and promote an understanding of other indicators of research output, performance and impact such as webometrics and altmetrics. 

 Dessemination and communications

  • Contribute to the wide portfolio of corporate publications ensuring that bibliometric reports are well presented, clear and concise;
  • Support and assist in the ongoing software development of the publication database;
  • Contribute to the design of communications software tools which are at the interface of the publication database, CRM and web interface;
  • Participate in the programme of communications training as appropriate;
  • Any other appropriate duties assigned by the relevant Head of Communications.

Relationship management

The post holder will work as part of the Communications Team and will also work closely with the science (in particular the CEO, Science Directors, Executive Assistant and Principal Beamline Scientists) and technical teams involved in regular publishing of peer review articles.  A strong focus of the role will be on liaison and successfully relationship-building with staff and users from wide range of disciplines. 

This job purpose reflects the core activities of the post. As this is a new role, there will inevitably be some changes to the duties for which the post is responsible, and possibly to the emphasis of the post itself. Diamond expects that the post-holder will recognise this and will adopt a flexible approach.

Qualification & Experience - Essential

  • A degree and accredited qualification in Librarianship and Information Studies;
  • Understanding of the academic research process, higher education and key developments in research policy;
  • Excellent liaison, communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to use tact, diplomacy and subtle strategies to influence others;
  • Focused with a strong attention to details;
  • Can plan effectively, sets priorities for own area of activity in line with communications team's objectives, and can produce deliverables and meet deadlines of reporting;
  • Works cooperatively and effectively in a team environment;
  • Flexible approach with an openness and receptivity to new ideas and approaches;
  • Strong organisational skills;
  • Strong sense of initiative;
  • Ability to work independently;
  • Statistical skills relating to bibliometrics;
  • Excellent IT skills;
  • Excellent relationship-building skills;
  • Ability to proactively promote the strengths and weaknesses of various bibliometrics approaches;
  • Demonstrable presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex information to non-experts;
  • Person flexible and able to quickly adapt to new environments;
  • Person able to work as a team and build good relationships with staff at all levels;
  • Flexible to work outside standard office hours;
  • Interest in science.

Qualification & Experience - Desirable

  • Postgraduate degree by research;
  • Experience of working in an academic or national research institute;
  • Experience working as a professional librarian.

Further Information

Applying for employment

For further details on applying for employment at Diamond, please visit our 'Application Form' page.

Appointments will be made depending on the skills and experience of the candidate. Electronic Diamond application forms in MS-Word are preferred. These should be emailed to recruitment@diamond.ac.uk



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