How to Apply
A cover letter and portfolio of relevant work are required for consideration for this position. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. See Required Qualifications section for details on the portfolio.
Who We Are
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) is an engaged and diverse community committed to excellence through research and teaching about the causes and consequences of biodiversity. Ecology and evolution are central to essential issues facing our planet today, including global climate change, sustainable agriculture, infectious diseases, conservation, biodiversity loss, and more.
We are home to some 50 faculty, 35 administrative and lab staff, 300 undergraduate majors, and 85 graduate students. We seek to educate the next generation of scientists who will go forth to make the world a better place. We welcome all who are curious about EEB, and we strive to create an environment that is accessible and supportive to all.
EEB has two world-class research museums - Museum of Zoology (UMMZ) and Herbarium - located at the new state-of-the-art Research Museums Center (RMC). The UMMZ is one of the largest natural history collections in the world, with 15 million preserved specimens of amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects, mollusks, fishes, and mammals. The Herbarium is one of the largest university collections of plants and fungi in the US and houses 1.75 million specimens of vascular plants, algae, bryophytes, fungi, and lichens. These collections are explicitly for use in research and education, benefiting science, society, and the university at large. Our Museums' research and teaching mission spans everything from new species discovery to reconstructing the evolutionary history of life on Earth, testing how species respond to global change, and forecasting zoonotic diseases that threaten human and wildlife health. Together, these two museums support an outstanding, global, and collaborative community of more than 100 students and 350 researchers annually in specimen-based evolutionary biology, ecology, and biodiversity science.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
What You'll Do
Graphic Design and Digital Illustration
- Digital scientific illustration of plants, animals, and fungi for use in scientific publications
- Design graphics for museum and department communications, including collaboration on scientific data-driven figures
- Design and produce the major graphical elements for Museums' Annual Impact Report and annual newsletter, including layout, imagery, and production in Adobe InDesign or equivalent
- Collaborate on the artistic elements of social media posts, collateral, swag, etc. with the Museums' leadership and communications team
Museums Website Management and Implementation
- Manage website information architecture within pre-designed Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) templates including navigation, page structure, content, maintenance, strategy and organization of websites
- Use web analytics tools to assess website performance and inform content strategy
Administration and Logistics
- Partner with EEB Communications Specialists and Museums leadership on content and brand strategy
- Document workflows and maintain organized files containing data associated with content development
- Typesetting for UMMZ publications
Required Qualifications*
Bachelor's degree. A minimum of three years of work experience in scientific illustration, graphic design, web design/developments, or a related field. Experience in developing the visual elements of strategic communication plans and proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator and InDesign, and designing, building, and maintaining websites from concept to launch. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; able to collaborate with cross-functional teams and present concepts to a non-technical audience. Experience or demonstrated interest in biology, natural history, museums, or scientific communication.
Submit a portfolio of original work demonstrating proficiency in one or more of the key elements of this role, including scientific illustration, graphic design, layout/publication design, web design, scientific/data visualization, photography, or other multimedia.
Skills You Have
Reporting to the Chief Administrator and Museums' leadership, and in collaboration with the Museum Communications Specialist, the graphic designer will 1) create new scientific illustrations and digital artwork and 2) lead the design portion of digital and print communications materials. The successful candidate will be curious about biodiversity science and a skilled illustrator and designer able to create graphic content that engages audiences around the Museum's mission and values, advance the department's reputation, increase donor engagement, and amplify the impact of our students, faculty, and alumni. Responsibilities include creating scientifically technical, brand-worthy graphical elements for department communications, scientific publications, and collateral, as well as identifying and overseeing website content.
Desired Qualifications*
A BFA or Bachelor's degree in a biology-related field or journalism is strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience producing science or technical content for digital platforms, including websites, social media, and multimedia channels, for a university, governmental agency, NGO, or research organization. Preference given to someone with animation or photography experience. Proficiency with additional visual content creation tools such as Adobe Experience Manager, WordPress, Canva, MailChimp, Instagram, and YouTube.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
This position will be located at the Research Museums Center and will have a hybrid work schedule.
As one of the world's great liberal arts and sciences colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.