Information scientist Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As an information scientist, it would be your job to make high-quality and up-to-date information easily available to your colleagues or clients.

Your key task would be to develop systems of organising electronic or paper-based information in an effective and user-friendly way. Your work might include:

• cataloguing, classifying and storing information
• researching and acquiring new resources
• making sure that information is up to date and comprehensive
• dealing with research enquiries from colleagues, managers or clients
• managing electronic information, for instance developing intranets or designing user-friendly search engines
• making sure that information systems meet data protection laws
• writing reports, briefings and website content
• managing an information budget
• training colleagues how to use information systems
• managing a team of information assistants.

You may be known by a range of other job titles such as information manager, information officer or knowledge manager.

Hours

In a full-time job you would work between 35 and 40 hours a week, usually Monday to Friday. Your hours may involve flexitime or shifts, depending on your employer. Part-time work may be available.

You would be office-based and spend a lot of your time working at a computer. You may occasionally travel to meetings.

Income

• Salaries for newly-qualified staff can be between £18,000 and £23,000 a year.
• With chartered status this can rise to between £22,000 and £30,000.
• Senior managers can earn £30,000 to £60,000 a year.

Salaries may be higher in the private sector.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

To become an information scientist you will usually need to be a graduate, with one of the following backgrounds:

• a degree in information management or librarianship, approved by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)
• a degree in any other subject, plus a postgraduate qualification approved by CILIP.

Several universities offer approved degrees in information management or information and library studies (course titles may vary). Check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

If your degree is in another subject, you could take a CILIP-approved postgraduate qualification in information management. Postgraduate courses may be offered one year full-time, two or three years part-time, or by distance learning.

Before you start a postgraduate course, you should get up to a year’s experience in a library or information services setting. You could do this through voluntary work or a graduate traineeship.

See CILIP’s website for a list of approved courses and details of graduate training opportunities.

Alternatively, you could start as an information or library assistant and work your way up. It may help your promotion prospects to gain the Level 2 Certificate and Level 3 Diploma in Libraries, Archives and Information services accredited by EDI or City & Guilds (7371) Progression Award in Library and Information Services. See the Library Assistant profile for more details about getting in at this level.

Training and development

Most information scientists apply for membership of CILIP. There are five levels of membership, depending on your experience and qualifications. Membership will give you access to support and advice, and opportunities for professional development.

To gain professional status recognised by public and academic libraries, you can work towards chartered membership of CILIP. For this, you will need one or two years' work experience plus evidence to show that you have taken part in further professional training and development after qualifying.

You can develop your skills and knowledge throughout your career by attending short courses organised by CILIP or the Association for Information Management (ASLIB). You could also choose to study for a relevant Masters degree part-time or through distance learning.

See CILIP’s website for full details of membership and training.

Skills and knowledge

• excellent organisational skills
• good spoken and written communication skills
• a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• a logical and methodical approach
• problem solving ability
• good research skills
• a high level of computer literacy, especially with databases and the internet
• the ability to work with people
• an awareness of what information users need
• awareness of data protection laws.

More information

Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)
7 Ridgmount Street
London
WC1E 7AE
Tel: 020 7255 0500
www.cilip.org.uk

Association for Information Management (ASLIB)
207 Davina House
137-149 Goswell Road
London
EC1V 7ET
Tel: 020 7253 3349
www.aslib.co.uk

Opportunities

You could find opportunities in a wide range of industries, particularly science, business, manufacturing, law and architecture. You could also work for universities, or in the public sector, for example in trade unions or charities.

Jobs may be advertised in the local and national press, publications for your own industry, and by specialist recruitment agencies.

Information departments are often small, so you may have a high level of responsibility early on, but may need to change employers to further your career into management. Self-employment as an information systems consultant is also possible.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):

• Lisjobnet
• Information World Review
• Jobs for Info Pros

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