"Open Rank Professor of Library and Information Studies- Archival Studies"

Position Title: Open Rank Professor of Library and Information Studies- Archival Studies

Location: The University of Oklahoma, Norman Campus

Department: Library and Information Studies

Position Type: Faculty

Qualifications:

Required:

• Earned Ph.D. or equivalent in LIS or related discipline with a specialization in Archives focusing on technology applications in archives and/or Indigenous archival practices and collections. The candidate can be ABD at the time of application, but is expected to have Ph.D. in-hand by August 16, 2026.
• Demonstrated teaching experience
• Demonstrated research ability

Preferred (not required):

• Experience teaching at the graduate level
• Experience teaching in an online, asynchronous format

Application Instructions: Applicants 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 contact information for three confidential letters of recommendation. Materials should be submitted to https://apply.interfolio.com/175282. The position will remain open until filled. Inquiries should be directed to the search committee chair: Dr. Susan K. Burke, Associate Professor, The University of Oklahoma School of Library and Information Studies at sburke@ou.edu.

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 Archival Studies. 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, commitment to service, and the ability to teach courses at the undergraduate, master's, and/or doctoral levels. 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 technical skills within archives, such as digital forensics, digital security, digital curation, knowledge on how to integrate AI into archival practice, and other applications of technology in archives; Indigenizing skills, someone who understands the cultural shift occurring around the globe to Indigenize existing archival and special collections. This would be the first hire in a long-range plan of building a nationally recognized archival program that specializes in critical and culturally responsive practices, especially those related to Indigenous collections, such as archival arrangement and copyright. Building relationships with communities, stakeholders, and archives practitioners is encouraged. Courses taught by this faculty member could include topics such as Archival Appraisal, Preservation, Archival Concepts, Archival Representation, Organization of Information, Data Sovereignty, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Digital Forensics, Digital Asset Management, or Policy and Ethics in Digital Curation.

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.