Description

The School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oklahoma (OU) invites applications for a full-time open rank tenured/tenure track faculty position in Information Retrieval and Information Technologies in Libraries. This position will begin on August 16, 2026. The position is located in Norman, Oklahoma, and the successful candidate will be required to move to the area (this is not a remote position).

We are seeking a dynamic candidate with a demonstrated research agenda, the ability to teach courses at the undergraduate, master’s, and/or doctoral levels, and a commitment to service. This is a 9-month position with a teaching load of 2 courses in the fall semester and 2 courses in the spring semester. Faculty distribution of effort is typically 40% teaching, 40% research, and 20% service, and faculty members are expected to be successful in all three categories.

SLIS is interested in two distinct areas of concentration, and candidates must specialize in one or both of the following:

• Highly specialized technology-related skills within libraries, archives, and other information organizations, such as expertise related to integrating AI into practice, specialized applications of technology in libraries and archives, such as electronic resources management, digital assets management, open access repositories, and digital library infrastructures, makerspaces, digital humanities applications, etc.
• Information retrieval, data and text analytics, generative AI and Large Language Models, human-AI interaction, AI ethics and societal impacts, AI policy and law, and responsible AI areas.

Courses taught by this faculty member could include topics such as Fundamentals of Information Technology, Dynamic Web Development, Web Design and Implementation, Information Retrieval and Text Mining, Data Stewardship, and Online Information Retrieval. The faculty member will be an integral team member who will work with other faculty to expand SLIS’ course offerings focused on for example, Artificial Intelligence Applications in Libraries, Electronic Resources Management, Digital Asset Management, Management of Digital Data, Information, and Records, Integrated Library Systems and Solutions, Makerspace Technologies, Theory of Information Retrieval (doctoral level), and Advances in Information Retrieval (doctoral level).

Faculty responsibilities include:

• Instruction, including course development, mentoring graduate students, and supervising student independent courses and projects
• Research and publication at a level appropriate for a Carnegie R1 research university
• Departmental service, including contributing to systematic planning and development within SLIS, attending faculty meetings, SLIS committee membership, and other SLIS service assignments
• Service at the college and university, and professional service at the regional, national, and international levels

Requirements

Required Qualifications: 

• Earned Ph.D. or equivalent in Library and Information Science or closely related discipline (eg. Data Science, Information Systems, Computer Science) with a specialization in information retrieval and information technology, focusing on technology applications in libraries, archives, museums, and other information organizations. The candidate can be ABD at the time of application, but is expected to complete their dissertation defense/thesis viva by August 16, 2026 (start date).
• Demonstrated teaching experience
• Demonstrated research ability

Preferred Qualtifications (not required): 

• Experience teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels
• Experience teaching in an online, asynchronous format

Application InstructionsApplicants are invited to submit a comprehensive cover letter addressing how their credentials make them a good fit for this faculty position. The cover letter may address examples of the candidate’s approach to teaching, a description of their research agenda, and career goals. In addition to the cover letter, applicants will submit a current C.V. and names with contact information for three confidential letters of recommendation. Materials should be submitted to https://apply.interfolio.com/175320. The position will remain open until filled.

Inquiries should be directed to the search committee chair:

Dr. June Abbas, Director and Professor
The University of Oklahoma. School of Library and Information Studies
jmabbas@ou.edu

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, gender identity/expression (consistent with applicable law), age (40 or older), religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services.

Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma
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Mission of the University of Oklahoma
The Mission of the University of Oklahoma is to provide the best possible educational experience for our students through excellence in teaching, research and creative activity, and service to the state and society.