Assistant Director, Research Development Graphics, Office Vice President Research, S

Full Time | Austin, Texas | Posted 1 week ago | Closes:
March 16, 2026

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

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.

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

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.

• 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 copy editor 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.

• 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…