Sample interview questions: Can you describe a situation where you had to mediate a dispute over ownership or licensing of research data?
Sample answer:
During my tenure as a Research Librarian at the University of California, Berkeley, I encountered a complex dispute involving the ownership and licensing of sensitive research data collected by a faculty researcher.
The researcher, Dr. Emily Carter, had conducted groundbreaking studies on patient outcomes involving a rare genetic disorder. She claimed sole ownership of the data, citing her authorship of the resulting publications. However, the university asserted that the data belonged to the institution as it had funded the research and provided infrastructure support.
Internal negotiations became heated and polarized, with each party presenting conflicting interpretations of ownership and licensing agreements. I intervened as a mediator, facilitating a series of confidential meetings to de-escalate tensions and promote constructive dialogue.
To build trust, I established clear communication channels and set ground rules for respectful behavior. I actively listened to both perspectives, summarized key points, and provided timely updates t… Read full answer
Source: https://hireabo.com/job/18_0_17/Research%20Librarian