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Location: Raleigh, NC
Essential Job Duties:
As a Media, Public Relations, Web & Graphic Design Specialist, you will play a key role in telling the story of the Self-driving Platforms for Expedited Experimental co-Design (SPEED), an NSF-funded national autonomous-science user facility at NC State. This position brings together science communication, media relations, digital content, web management, and visual design to showcase SPEED's research, capabilities, people, and impact to audiences within and beyond the scientific community.
Core Job Responsibilities:
- Develop clear, engaging science communications, including news releases, media materials, feature stories, and public-facing content.
- Manage and enhance SPEED's website, keeping content, user resources, events, news, and facility information current and accessible.
- Create compelling visual materials, including graphics, scientific illustrations, infographics, presentations, and branded resources.
- Produce and edit photography, video, social media, and other digital storytelling content that brings SPEED's research and capabilities to life.
- Design user-facing communications for workshops, calls, demonstrations, facility access, and other SPEED activities.
- Maintain a consistent and recognizable SPEED brand across communications and digital platforms while supporting accessibility, web analytics, media tracking, and content archiving.
- Support media visits, sponsor reviews, facility tours, major events, and other high-profile communications activities.
- Build and maintain reusable templates, image libraries, and digital asset archives to support efficient content development.
- Coordinate with NC State communications professionals and external media partners as appropriate to support SPEED's communications goals.
- Translate complex technical and scientific research into clear, engaging content that resonates with broad audiences.
Other Work/Responsibilities:
- Assist with reports, proposals, presentations, and high-visibility announcements.
- In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's operations.
Minimum Experience/Education:
- Bachelor's degree in communications, graphic design, digital media, journalism, or related field. Equivalent combinations of relevant education and applied experience considered. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
- One to Three years of relevant communications, design, web, or media experience.
Required Qualifications:
- Portfolio demonstrating strong visual and digital communication.
- Experience writing/editing content for public or technical audiences.
- Graphic design, layout, typography, branding, and visual storytelling.
- Website/CMS content management and basic web publishing.
- Writing, editing, interviewing, and science-communication ability.
- Adobe Creative Cloud or equivalent design/photo/video tools.
- Digital/social media content creation and campaign coordination.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience developing communications or content for science, engineering, research, or higher-education audiences, with the ability to translate complex topics for technical and non-technical audiences.
- Expertise creating scientific illustrations, data visualizations, technical infographics, or other visual content using relevant design tools.
- Proficiency producing photography, videography, motion graphics, or edited video content for digital or external communications.
- Competence applying web analytics, SEO, accessibility practices, and digital content strategies to improve audience engagement and website effectiveness.
- Skills in supporting media relations, press coordination, or public-relations activities, including press materials, media requests, interviews, or events.
- Experience communicating AI, robotics, chemistry, materials science, or autonomous science through written, visual, digital, or multimedia content.
Required License or Certification:
- N/A
AA/EEO Statement:
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.