Research Data Management Specialist – Academic Contract

About the role

The Research Data Management (RDM) Specialist supports the development and delivery of research data management services within the University. As a member of the McGill Libraries’ Research & Scholarship unit, the incumbent contributes to the Libraries' broader mission of advancing research, teaching, learning, scholarly communication, and open knowledge initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as an integral member of the Digital Research Services (DRS) team within the Office of Research and Innovation.
• Partner with liaison librarians and other library colleagues to embed RDM services in subject‑based programs.
• Develop and enhance library‑based services that support research impact, open scholarship, and data stewardship.
• Provide expert consultation to faculty, students, and staff on data management planning, curation, deposit and sharing.
• Design and deliver instructional programs and learning materials on RDM topics.
• Conduct outreach to faculty, graduate students, research staff and other stakeholders regarding RDM services.
• Collaborate with library colleagues and campus partners to advance digital scholarship, scholarly communications and open science.
• Build and maintain partnerships with academic departments, research centres, IT and external organisations such as the Digital Research Alliance of Canada.
• Serve on library, faculty and university committees and represent the Libraries on external committees.
• Monitor developments in RDM services and emerging technologies to inform strategic planning.
• Advance equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through library services and workplace practices.

Required profile

• Ph.D. in a research‑data‑focused discipline.
• Experience providing research support, library services, scholarly communications, digital scholarship or RDM services in an academic or equivalent environment.
• Understanding of the academic research lifecycle and the role of libraries in supporting research, teaching, learning and open science.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with researchers, librarians, academic departments and campus partners.
• Experience designing and delivering instruction, workshops, consultations and educational resources.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.