Head of Health Academic and Research Engagement

Overview

Working Title
Head of Health Academic and Research Engagement

Department
Health Sciences Library-552500

Career Area
Libraries

Posting Open Date
01/13/2026

Final date to receive applications
02/16/2026

Open Until Filled
No

Position Type
Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Appointment Type
EHRA Non-Faculty Instructional

Position Number

Vacancy
NF0009488

Full Time/Part Time
Full-Time Permanent

Fte
1

Hours Per Week
40

Position Location
North Carolina, US

Proposed Start Date
03/16/2026

Be a Tar Heel!
Working at the University Libraries puts you at the very heart of the nation’s oldest state university. With an enduring commitment to the people of North Carolina, UNC-Chapel Hill is the number 4 ranked public university in the country and the 10th-ranked university for federal research funding
.

At the University Libraries, you are part of a welcoming, inclusive, open library community that advances research, teaching, healing and creativity on campus and far beyond. Here, we strive to create an environment of respect and collaboration, where vision and innovation can flourish.

The University Libraries aspires to set the standard for public university research libraries in the digital age.

As one of the premier libraries in the South, we are an essential partner in the research, education, clinical care, and public service missions of UNC-Chapel Hill. The library system includes 10 on-campus Libraries, with nearly 10 million volumes, rich archival collections, and a growing investment in digital collections.

The University Libraries serves campus and broader communities that reflect the socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious diversity of the state of North Carolina, and we maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and open educational and workplace climate for all. We strive to create an environment of respect and collaboration where vision and innovation can flourish. Learn more about our Strategic Framework including our pillars, values, and priorities by visiting (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Reporting to the Health Sciences Library (HSL) Director, the Head of Health Academic and Research Engagement, will oversee a department of liaison librarians who support health sciences faculty, students, and researchers. The Head of Health Academic and Research Engagement (HARE) will provide vision, direction, and coordination for existing and future services designed to advance the mission of our partners at UNC.

The Health Academic and Research Engagement (HARE) team at HSL includes up to 7 health sciences librarians and 2 part-time graduate assistants who support and partner with the Adams School of Dentistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Gillings School of Global Public Health, and UNC School of Nursing. Liaison librarians provide course- and curriculum-integrated instruction; curriculum-planning support; educational programs and workshops; and expert literature searching.

Staff also support and partner on research with health affairs faculty and students and support scholarly communications.

The Head of HARE will oversee day-to-day operations, mentor and lead the team, and ensure that engagement and partnerships are strategically aligned with the priorities of other HSL departments, related units across University Libraries, and those of UNC campus. The Head of HARE will work closely with other departments at HSL and across University Libraries including with Clinical and Statewide Engagement (CaSE), Health Research Services (HRS), and Research and Instructional Services.

The position will connect regularly through dotted line relationships with these and other department heads across University Libraries to develop and plan innovative, technology-driven services for campus partners, to coordinate event programming and outreach, and to ensure consistency of services.

Campus partners include administrators, faculty, staff, clinicians, residents, postdocs, fellows, and students in the UNC Medical Center, the five health affairs schools, and other campus units. Other campus partners that the Libraries engage with regularly include the Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice (IPEP), Carolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP), North Carolina Translational and Clinical Science (NC TraCS), and UNC School of Library and Information Science (SILS).

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

Requires the Masters in Library Science (MLS) degree (or foreign degree equivalent). In specialized libraries, may substitute an advanced degree in the field of specialization (e.g., legal degree for a law library, or a history degree for a special historical collection within the library setting).