Job Description

The temporary Library Assistant will help ICPSR (the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research) move its data and metadata to a new repository platform. The library assistant will review and improve metadata (information that describes research data) to make sure it is accurate, complete, and consistent. This position offers hands-on experience working with research data and metadata.

This position is eligible for Hybrid work.

Responsibilities

       Review metadata for accuracy and consistency across fields.

       Compare metadata between the old and new systems to identify missing or mismatched elements.

       Check that controlled vocabulary terms (e.g., geographic names, funders, subjects, study methodologies) are used correctly.

       Verify that names of organizations and individuals are correct, and link them to persistent identifiers when possible.

       Conduct quality checks to ensure metadata conforms to standards and internal guidelines.

       Document issues and assist in tracking their resolution.

       Make updates or corrections to metadata as directed.

       Support metadata team members with related migration or documentation tasks.

Qualifications

Required:

       Strong attention to detail and ability to follow complex procedures.

       Proficiency with spreadsheets (Google Sheets) and data entry.

       Clear written communication skills.

       Ability to work independently and manage tasks efficiently.

Preferred:

       Coursework or experience in information science, data management, or digital libraries.

       Interest in research data, repositories, or digital preservation.

       Experience with running Python scripts.