Research Assistant (Senior 3D Motion Designer & UX Video Researcher - Podcast Series)

Job Description

The National University of Singapore invites applications for a Research Assistant (Senior 3D Motion Designer & UX Video Researcher) to own the visual identity and episode production for a new long-form podcast series that is being run by Horizons Office, School of Computing NUS.

You will handle the entire visual pipeline of each episode – from concept and design to final delivery – and also lead experimentation and research into new formats, UI/UX patterns, and audience interaction models for video-first content.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end visual production for each podcast episode: pre-production, opening titles, lower thirds, interstitials, animated explainer segments, and overall visual system.
• Design and animate high-quality 3D and 2D motion graphics that match the polish and storytelling of top-tier podcasts and studios.
• Develop and maintain a consistent motion language and visual identity for the series (typography, colour, transitions, camera style, lighting).
• Own the full motion pipeline: concept, moodboards, styleframes, storyboards, animatics, 3D lookdev, animation, rendering and compositing.
• Edit podcast episodes (multi-cam if needed), integrating motion graphics, b-roll, captions and other visual elements for YouTube and social platforms.
• Create reusable templates for episode assets (intro/outro, guest name straps, chapter markers, social cutdowns).
• Collaborate with the host/producer on narrative structure and identify opportunities where motion/3D can clarify complex ideas or data.

Research & experimentation (UI/UX focus)

• Explore and prototype new ways viewers interact with long-form video and podcasts (chaptering, on-screen prompts, overlays, interactive annotations).
• Run lightweight experiments (A/B tests) on different visual treatments, layouts, and interaction patterns (e.g. title card designs, lower-third systems, thumbnail approaches, chapter UI).
• Translate podcast and research insights into visual systems: information hierarchy on screen, legible layouts for data/diagrams, and accessible typographic choices.
• Document findings and build internal guidelines for motion, layout, and interaction patterns across YouTube, web, and social.
• Stay up to date with emerging trends in motion design, UI/UX for video, and creator/podcast ecosystems; regularly bring new ideas for us to test.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Job Requirements

Requirements

4–7+ years of experience in motion design, animation, or related roles (agency, studio, production house, or in-house content team).

A strong portfolio/reel showcasing:

• Strong 3D motion graphics (lighting, texturing, camera work, simulations, or abstract 3D scenes).
• Polished 2D/3D motion for brand films, title sequences, explainers, or product stories.
• Any work that shows thinking about user experience in video (chapter systems, information overlays, UI/visual frameworks).

Deep proficiency in:

• Filmography: Multiple Angle, Lighting, Color Grading, Timeline management
• 3D: Cinema 4D or Blender with a modern renderer (Redshift, Octane, etc.).
• Motion & compositing: After Effects (or similar).
• Editing: Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut Pro.

Apply now