Assistant Director, Research Development Graphics, Office of the Vice President for Research, S - Austin - Data Visualization Society

Description

• Full Time
• Austin, Texas
• Posted 2 weeks ago
• Closes: March 16, 2026
  

Website The University of Texas at Austin Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors

Job Posting Title

Assistant Director, Research Development Graphics, Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Endeavors

Hiring Department

Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors

Position Open To

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours

40

FLSA Status

Exempt

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Position Duration

Expected to Continue

Location:

AUSTIN, TX

Job Details

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 decision-making 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.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

e-verify poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]

right to work poster (English) [PDF]

right to work poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and Crime Statistics Act and Title IX to the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity. The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

E-verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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