Asst. Professor - Law jobs in Nashville, TN

Position Announcement: Law Librarian for Research Services; Lecturer in Law

The Law Library, a unit of the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries serving the Law School and University, offers a broad range of expertise, resources and services that enable the Law School to carry out its program of legal education, and support research and scholarship.   

Vanderbilt University and the Vanderbilt Libraries are in an exciting time of transformation. With new leadership at the Chancellor, Provost, and University Librarian levels, we are re-envisioning the future of library services at Vanderbilt. Through radical collaboration we seek to deepen student and faculty engagement with the libraries, equip students for life-long information proficiency, increase faculty research impact, create more opportunities for interdisciplinary experimentation, and optimize access to collections and resources, including marginalized and hidden histories and cultures. 

We are seeking a team member to help us educate the next generation of leaders and enable research that solves our most pressing problems. We are looking for an innovative and user-centered problem solver ready to join our collaborative environment and transform library services. 

The Alyne Queener Massey Law Library of Vanderbilt Law School seeks a Law Librarian for Research Services. The successful candidate will work with a talented team of professionals to provide legal reference and research services to law library patrons; develop instructional materials and teach legal research in the required first-year Legal Writing and Research Program; teach an upper-division legal research course; develop and teach other instruction-based programs; update and maintain online research support materials; participate in collection development; support institutional initiatives and collaborate with colleagues across units to support the research and learning mission of the University; and promote library programs and resources both internally and externally.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide reference and research services to Vanderbilt Law School students and faculty as well as the larger Vanderbilt University community.
• Develop course materials and teach legal research skills in the first-year Legal Writing and Research Program.
• Teach in upper-division legal research courses, seminars, and academic programs as needed.
• Create and update online research guides, tutorials, and other web content.
• Serve on University Library committees and work with colleagues in other campus libraries and University departments in support of the University’s mission for radical collaboration and interdisciplinary scholarship and learning. 
• Participate in professional organizations and engage in scholarly activities at the local, regional, national and/or international level.
• Take part in collection development.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited institution is required.
• Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) from an ALA accredited institution (or equivalent) or current enrollment in an ALA accredited program is required.
• Entry-level and experienced law librarians are encouraged to apply.
• Expertise in legal bibliography and legal research methodologies is required.
• Outstanding communication skills and a demonstrated ability to effectively teach and present is required.
• Knowledge and/or interest in using emerging technologies to enhance the delivery of information services is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively is required. 
• Experience teaching legal research is preferred.
• Expertise in FCIL or interest in developing such expertise is preferred.
• Understanding of generative AI and LLMs and interest in creative use of these tools is preferred

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.