Assistant Director, Research Development Graphics, University of Texas at Austin, TEXAS Research

General Notes

The mission of the Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors (OVPR) is to foster the expansion of the scale, quality, and impact of scholarly endeavors at UT Austin. We are committed to building capacity, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and lowering the barriers and burden involved in scientific and creative inquiry through the development of an investigator-focused infrastructure that supports the needs of UT Austin's research enterprise.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
• Retirement contributions
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid holidays
• Eligible for hybrid telework

Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.

 

Purpose

Under the direction of the Executive Director for Research Development, the Assistant Director – Research Development Graphics will apply best-in-class design sensibilities and expertise in visual communication to produce a wide range of visual media for high-priority research proposals. As part of the Research Development team within the Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors (OVPR), the Assistant Director – Research Development Graphics will support ideation and create compelling, informative proposal content, as well as other strategic research development projects.

 

Responsibilities

• Works closely with teams of principal investigators (PIs) to create captivating figures and graphics that enhance the competitiveness of sponsored research proposals. These visuals may include full-page figures summarizing the goals or activities of large, multidisciplinary research centers; scientific illustrations; organizational charts and workflows; and custom PowerPoint templates and slide artwork. Independently leads dialogue with PIs to manage multiple rounds of revisions and acts as a final copyeditor to ensure consistency and polish. Incorporates PIs’ feedback and stylistic preferences throughout draft revisions, providing multiple options or mockups to assist in decisionmaking as requested. Maintains a file structure of drafts, proofs, and final deliverables.
• Provides strategic consultation and expert guidance to PIs on how to visually convey complex research concepts in a clear and accessible way, including preliminary sketches and storyboards to support ideation and determine accuracy. Works collaboratively with PIs to convey their articulated research ideas into graphical abstracts that serve to advance the development of research teams’ broader collaborative vision. Works cooperatively with grants/contracts specialists, Research Development officers, and other members of the OVPR Research Development team in pursuit of these objectives.
• Creates and executes visual communications for the OVPR Research Development team, following university style guides and branding specifications across both print and digital platforms. Areas of work may include reports, one-pagers/flyers, identity, digital ads, presentations, graphics, promotional displays, signage, social media assets, event collateral, and web design. Regularly maintains and organizes related design files in formats accessible to other RD team members.
• Contributes to the overall success of the OVPR Research Development team by performing other duties as assigned, including coordinating with vendors and collaborating with communications staff across OVPR and the university.

 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Arts or related field, with at least 5 years of experience in
• graphic design, scientific illustration, art direction, and/or multimedia communications.
• Demonstrated ability to function proactively and independently throughout the design
• process from concept development to final delivery.
• Proven capacity to manage multiple concurrent projects, prioritize tasks effectively, and
• meet deadlines with a strong customer-service orientation.
• Fluency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Microsoft Office
• Suite, and Microsoft SharePoint.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to evaluate and implement alternative design
• solutions as needed.
• Familiarity with academic environments and an understanding of research.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree and/or relevant professional certification in scientific communication,
• illustration, or related field.
• Experience designing technical communications and visual content for grant proposals,
• scientific publications, and/or science visualization.
• Prior experience with and knowledge of Research Development.

 

Salary Range

$80,000 + depending on qualifications

 

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity

 

Required Materials

Please mark "yes" on the application for required materials. Failure to attach all additional materials listed may affect candidates being considered for the position.

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a
• supervisor
• Letter of interest
• Link to your portfolio of work

Applications for this position will only be accepted through the official University of Texas at Austin employment website. Applications submitted through this job board will not be considered.

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.