Instruction and Reference Librarian

Instruction and Reference Librarian

Job no: 492992

Work type: FT

Location: West Des Moines

Categories: Faculty

Join a dynamic academic health sciences environment where your expertise directly supports the success of future healthcare professionals. In this role, you will advance teaching and learning by delivering curriculum-integrated instruction, promoting evidence-based practice, and providing high-impact reference and research support. You’ll collaborate closely with faculty, clinicians, researchers, and students across a range of health disciplines, contributing meaningfully to both academic and clinical excellence. As a non-tenure track faculty member, you will play an active role in teaching, service, and scholarly activity, helping to shape an innovative and collaborative educational experience.

What you’ll do:

• Design and deliver curriculum-integrated instruction in evidence-based practice and health sciences information literacy across multiple learning formats.

• Collaborate with faculty and academic leaders to develop competency-aligned learning experiences and interprofessional education initiatives.

• Provide expert reference, research consultation, and literature search support to advance education, research, and patient care.

• Develop digital learning tools and lead workshops to enhance teaching, learning, and research effectiveness.

• Contribute to scholarly activity, institutional service, and strategic initiatives, including committees, professional organizations, and program development.

What we are looking for:

• Master’s degree in library science from an American Library Association-accredited institution required.

• Minimum one year of teaching experience in a health sciences or higher education library setting, with demonstrated ability to clearly communicate information literacy skills and concepts, required; 2 or more years preferred.

• Experience working and teaching in a graduate-level health sciences library preferred.

• Minimum one year of reference assistance experience in a health sciences or higher education library setting required; 2 or more years preferred.

• Experience with integrated library systems, Springshare platform, bibliographic management tools, and presentation/video creation technologies preferred.

• Familiarity with Evidence-Based Medicine/Practice (EBM/EBP) models preferred.

• Knowledge of best practices in information literacy education, reference assistance services, and collection management and development.

• Experience using biomedical and interdisciplinary resources such as PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus preferred.

*To see the full job description go to Position Description at the bottom of this posting.

Total Rewards:

DMU offers competitive salaries. For this position, the anticipated starting salary is in the mid- to upper- $60,000 range, with the final offer determined based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience.

Our employees are what make DMU special, so we treat them well! Our Total Rewards reflect this commitment. Qualified faculty and staff enjoy a generous employer contribution towards the medical plan, 10% retirement match, flexible work arrangements, community service time, tuition assistance, professional development funding, and access to wellness facilities with programs that promote a well-balanced lifestyle. Visit to learn more about our benefits.

DMU is proud to offer employees generous benefits and perks, paid time off, free use of wellness facilities, and a host of employee engagement and recognition programs throughout the year.

About:

Founded in 1898, Des Moines University is a premier medical and health sciences institution comprising three colleges– College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, and College of Health Sciences – offering ten graduate degree programs.

Ourmission ( is to improve lives in our global community by educating diverse groups of highly competent and compassionate health professionals.

It is an exciting time to join DMU. In 2023, we relocated our primary academic and operational offices to a new 88-acre campus in West Des Moines, Iowa, while maintaining an active clinic on our former campus. This state-of-the-art campus includes technology-rich, flexible education spaces that support innovative teaching methods and connect faculty and students across all of our programs. Our new research facilities include a vibrant and spacious open laboratory, designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

DMU enhances our community’s quality of life by educating outstanding health professionals and leaders; providing expert, compassionate patient care; serving the community in diverse ways; and stimulating the central Iowa community.

At DMU you will make a meaningful contribution to the dynamic future of Medicine and Health Sciences by supporting a diverse community of faculty and staff with programs and services across the employee lifecycle.

Required Documents:

Resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references required at time of online submission. Apply at

Department: Center for Educational Enhancement

Status: Exempt

Position Description

Advertised: 10 Jul 2026 Central Daylight Time

Applications close: