University of Minnesota Health Sciences Library seeks Temporary Data Visualization Intern

The University of Minnesota Health Sciences Library is seeking a Data Visualization Intern for January - April, 2021. This is a remote internship (no on-site work) and open to candidates living in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Required Qualifications

• High School graduation or equivalent.
• Two years college coursework or relevant experience. 
• Ability to work independently, balancing priorities and meeting deadlines developed in coordination with the mentor.
• Experience using textbooks, online tutorials and workshops to learn new skills and then applying these skills in real world situations.
• Experience documenting work processes and collaborating on written reports.
• Understanding of the importance of working in an academic environment with a diverse range of faculty, staff and library users.
• Experience creating charts and graphs using Excel (or similar tool) previously.  These could include bar charts, line charts, scatterplots, heat maps, dot plots or other common visualizations.
• Experience performing basic data analyses and transformations using Excel.  This could include using formulas to determine mean, median, and totals, identifying outlier data points, and cleaning up data.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in library science, health sciences, public affairs, design, communication, journalism or other data or design-focused field
• Previous experience with conducting statistical analyses or advanced data analyses and transformations.
• Understanding of data visualization best practices and experience creating data visualizations that follow them.
• Previous experience teaching or designing instructional materials.

Key details

Minimal prior experience working with data and Microsoft Excel is expected. Internship is supported by a grant from the Greater Midwest Region of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (UG4LM012346). Salary of $25.00 per hour including laptop and funds for training.  Expectation is 14 hours per week for 16-17 weeks.

Data visualization is the technique of using charts, graphs and other visual tools to show the patterns in a data set and share findings.  As we rely more and more on data for decision-making, especially in health care, visualization is a powerful tool for making the information in the data easier to understand and easier to apply. The Intern will work with the mentor (Emerging Technology and Innovation Strategist) and expert staff of the Library to develop a background in data science and data visualization methods, take a deeper dive into how Microsoft Excel can be used to support visualization and practice applying these skills in the health sciences library setting. 

They will:

• Receive training from staff across the University of Minnesota Library system as well as perform some independent and self-paced reading and training modules. 
• Work with teaching and learning experts to design and teach a workshop around data visualization best practices and data visualization with Excel. 
• Workshop content and examples will be focused on health equity and access topics. 
• Provide 1:1 support to faculty, staff and students working on data visualization projects, with support from the mentor or library staff as needed.
• Work with the mentor to document training and workshop development in a report or presentation for sharing.
• The University of Minnesota Libraries is nationally recognized for its work around data curation, management and reproducibility and is developing new services around data visualization support.  The Health Sciences Library recently moved into a new physical building and has launched a suite of new spaces dedicated to emerging methods and technologies.  The Intern will be exposed to the breadth of modern library work and have a chance to participate in the creation of new roles and services during this period of change.

About the Department

In July 2020, the Health Sciences Library moved into the connected Health Sciences Education Center and Phillips-Wangensteen Building, advancing interprofessional education through expertise, engagement, critical content, and cutting edge technologies to advance teaching, learning, and research, and prepare the next generation of health care providers. New library spaces include a Data + Visualization Lab, Virtual Reality Studio, and Makerspace.  

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the University of Minnesota employment website. Search for job ID: 338521 

To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).