Graduate Research Assistant - Longleaf Studios (Fall 2026 - Spring 2027

Department:

Longleaf Studios

Position Summary:

A Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) under the supervision of the faculty and/or staff, may include assisting faculty and/or staff, as well as other academic support duties, and departmental operational needs, and other associated and clerical duties as assigned.

Positions will be filled based on individual applicant’s skills, qualification, and departmental needs.

If you choose to apply for employment as a graduate student at JSU, your transcripts and letters of recommendation will be reviewed by personnel from the units who have posted a graduate administrative assistantship position.

Compensation:

Graduate Research Assistants are expected to work 20 hours per week during a fall or spring semester, or a full summer term (May, June, and July).

$12.50 per hour with a maximum of 20 hours per week for a total of 16 weeks.

Student pay is disbursed biweekly and is based on the number of hours worked, students must clock in and clock out for each shift. Biweekly payroll over the course of the term.

In addition to an hourly rate, Graduate Research Assistantships carry a scholarship each semester up to the max award of $4,386.00. The scholarship award covers the general university fee and tuition. Students are responsible for additional fees such as international, program, and course fees. Students enrolled in specialty priced programs may owe a remaining balance after scholarship award.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Motion Graphics - Design
  • Design and animate lower thirds, title sequences, maps, timelines, and illustrative graphics for documentary film content.
  • Develop visual assets that support narrative clarity, audience engagement, and visual cohesion across the film series.
  • Collaborate with director and editor to integrate motion graphics seamlessly into rough and final cuts.al duties as required by the department.
• Video Post-Production Support
  • Assist with editing documentary footage, syncing audio/video, organizing media assets, and assembling rough cuts using Adobe Premiere Pro.
  • Assist with color correction, audio leveling, and file compression to prepare deliverables for broadcast standards.
  • Help manage and implement feedback from producers, editors, and Alabama Public Television liaisons.
• Research and Archival Support
  • Identify and source archival footage, photographs, and public domain media for inclusion in the films.
  • Track usage rights and metadata for visual and audio materials in accordance with copyright and public broadcasting standards.
• Workflow and Asset Management
  • Organize project files and media assets using efficient folder structures and naming conventions.
  • Maintain backup systems and contribute to the version control of post-production files.
• Studio and Team Collaboration
  • Participate in weekly production meetings with faculty mentors, studio team members, and external partners.
  • Communicate technical needs and creative progress clearly and professionally.
• Software and Technical Proficiency
  • Use Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, especially After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Illustrator, with proficiency.
• Professional Development
  • Gain experience working within a professional documentary production workflow.
  • Receive mentorship and feedback on creative work in a collaborative studio setting aligned with real-world broadcast production timelines.

Graduate Assistantship

Qualifications:

• Must be classified as a degree-seeking graduate student at JSU.
• Must be actively enrolled in a graduate degree program at JSU during the assistantship semester.
• If a new student, must be admitted to a degree program.
• Must be actively enrolled in required coursework towards the degree. The Graduate Assistantship will not pay for courses that are not in the degree program plan of study/checklist.

Note:

If a student is classified as a graduate student and is required to take undergraduate courses for the graduate degree (foundation courses, undergraduate deficiency courses, etc.), the Graduate Assistantship will only pay for these courses if they are documented as required courses via memo from the student’s advisor to the Director of Graduate Studies.

• Must hold the minimum required GPA for the…