Manage the movement of files for digital collections across the Digitization Unit, including capture, processing, and transfer to servers, repositories or holding spaces.
Use appropriate software to perform and record file integrity checks (SHA-512 checksums) after each step prevent file corruption.
Automate file movement and naming to improve efficiency, prevent loss, and comply with digital preservation standards.
Maintain and update local drives and server spaces, removing redundancies, while producing derivative files as needed.
Collaborate with the Digitization Coordinator to align projects with preservation standards and metadata policies, and work with the Metadata Specialist to improve descriptive metadata for improved discovery and access.
Collaborate with the Digitization Coordinator to oversee quality assurance processes, ensuring adherence to FADGI standards through Golden Thread tool integration, file integrity checks, and data validation.
Jointly with the Digitization Coordinator and DLDC colleagues, ensure that digital assets are of high quality and preserved.
Develop and maintain custom tools and scripts to process, validate, and normalize digital content. Enhance data processing workflows for both current and legacy digitization projects, including the implementation of new software and workflow improvements for LIMB processing.
Work in collaboration with colleagues to optimize data processing pipelines and enhance overall efficiency. Under the guidance of the Head of Digitization, collaborate with the DLDC and ADS to design and implement strategies for the long-term preservation of digital assets.
Develop and maintain digital preservation workflows and automation scripts to ensure the integrity and longevity of digital objects.
Ensure the seamless integration of digital collections into preservation repositories, including the Library Digital Repository, adhering to established standards and protocols.
Write software to package digital masterfiles, associated checksums, metadata, and derivative files, using the BagIT specification, for transfer to the Library Digital Repository.
Collaborate with external repositories, such as HathiTrust, to facilitate the ingestion of digital assets. ⢠Hire, train, and manage students and interns involved in digital collections projects Provide technical expertise and troubleshooting support to resolve digital preservation-related issues, which may involve addressing hardware or software problems and ensuring the security of digital assets.
Stay informed about emerging digital preservation technologies and actively contribute to the development of best practices.
The job provides professional support and solves straightforward problems in a library unit in the acquisition and processing of library materials and resources. Resolves processing problems with units.
Identifies and documents preservation needs and, with moderate guidance from others, ensures the preservation of library pieces, electronically and digitally.
Performs other related work as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Science, or a related field with the equivalent practical experience in programming and/or digital preservation.Â
Masterâ™s degree in Library and Information Science, or equivalent, with a focus on digital libraries, preservation, or related field.
Experience:
Relevant experience in programming, data management, and/or digital preservation, preferably within a cultural heritage institution or academic library setting strongly preferred.
Experience in planning, coordinating and executing digital projects or complex workflows strongly preferred.
Knowledge of library and archival digitization practices and standards (conforming to NARA, FADGI, Library of Congress) to ensure that digital files can be maintained over time in a preservation repository strongly preferred.
Preferred Competencies
Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, JavaScript in various frameworks, and experience with version control systems (e.g., Git).
Demonstrable Unix/Linux literacy: must be able to use sed, awk, grep, etc. effectively from a Unix/Linux command line and in shell scripts to automate appropriate tasks.
Strong understanding of digital preservation principles and standards (e.g., PREMIS).
Familiarity with data management practices, including data cleaning, transformation, and normalization.
Working Conditions
Ability to use computers extensively during the course of the working day.
Hybrid work schedule.
Term position through 6/30/2027.
Application Documents
Resume
Cover Letter preferred
Reference List (3)
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
One of the world's premier academic and research institutions, the University of Chicago has driven new ways of thinking since our 1890 founding. Today, UChicago is an intellectual destination that draws inspired scholars to our Hyde Park and international campuses, keeping UChicago at the nexus of ideas that challenge and change the world.