Cornell University Library
The Cornell University Library (CUL) seeks a Scientific Director for arXiv, a global repository of digital research papers in the sciences managed by the Library. The Scientific Director will collaborate with the arXiv Program Director in overseeing the service and work with arXiv staff and the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) in providing intellectual leadership for the operation. The Director should be a faculty member at a research university in one of the areas represented by arXiv, and will assume this position as a part-time (0.3-0.5 FTE) administrative position while retaining his or her underlying faculty position.
See the arXiv organizational chart for information about this position’s role within the arXiv team, especially the division of responsibilities with the arXiv Program Director: arXiv Organizational Chart and Governance Model . The arXiv Operating Principles , describes the prospective roles of CUL, SAB, and Member Advisory Board and delineates the editorial, governance, and financial tenets of the operation.
The arXiv team is located at the Cornell University Library in Ithaca, NY. Although proximity to Cornell is highly desirable, a telecommuting arrangement (with occasional on-site visits) while the incumbent retains a faculty position in her/his home organization will also be considered. This will be initially a one-year appointment with the goal of renewal after assessing the position and arXiv’s leadership needs.
Specific duties include:
Provide intellectual and scientific leadership by serving as facilitator of the SAB, which acts as an advisory board in setting policies and criteria for submission, moderation and administration, in collaboration with the SAB chair;
Serve as the final arbiter for complex moderation decisions (e.g., when moderators disagree or if there is an author dispute);
Contribute to strategic planning process representing the scientific communities served by arXiv, including serving on the steering committee of the next generation arXiv (arXiv-NG);
Participate in setting system development (IT) priorities with a focus on submission and moderation processes and arXiv-NG;
Work closely with the SAB members and subject advisory committees to ensure smooth moderation processes, such as assisting them in recruiting moderators;
Liaise to arXiv’s Member Advisory Board (MAB) on scientific and SAB matters;
Advocate arXiv’s role in open access and represent arXiv in disciplinary or scientific communication forums;
Contribute to the arXiv team’s grant writing and fundraising efforts.
Requirements
Tenured (or equivalent) scientist/faculty active in research in a main subject domain of arXiv – physics, math, computer science, etc.
Experience in some aspect of open access publishing for promoting scientific discovery
Familiarity with arXiv and interest in collaborating with the arXiv team and SAB in improving and advancing the operation
Understanding of the needs, norms, practices, and priorities of the scientific communities served
Interest in scientific communication and evolving practices, policies, and technologies
Experience and skills in building positive and productive partnerships with scientists, staff, and other stakeholders
Excellent communications and presentation skills
Application Process
Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae and a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements. Review of applicants will begin immediately, and will continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration, please express interest by April 15, 2017.
For additional information, please contact:
Oya Y. Rieger, arXiv Program Director, Cornell University Library, oyr1@cornell.edu
Professor Dave Morrison, Chair, arXiv Scientific Advisory Board, drm@physics.ucsb.edu
Information about arXiv: arXiv Public Wiki