Photographer, Research Communications

The University of Arizona•Tucson, AZ

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The RII Research Communications team is accepting applications for a Photographer, Research Communications. The employee serves as the staff photographer for ORP, capturing imagery that supports the office’s marketing and communications initiatives, research storytelling, and institutional events. Working from assignments and creative direction provided by the Associate Director, Digital & Creative, this position photographs on-location events, staff and faculty portraits, and research environments, and serves as the still photographer on featured story shoots alongside a writer and videographer. The position is the day-to-day steward of ORP’s digital asset library by ingesting, organizing, tagging, and maintaining image files and assisting writers and designers in locating appropriate imagery for marketing and communications materials. Ability to travel to off-campus and off-site shoot locations is required. Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends, based on event and shoot timing is also required. Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
Valid driver’s license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.
Knowledge of photographic principles, theories, and concepts, exposure, lighting, composition, and color management.
Knowledge of industry standards for editorial and institutional photography.
Proficiency with professional camera systems and lighting equipment, including confident manual operation in changing conditions.
Proficiency with Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and Bridge for culling, editing, retouching, and export.
Working knowledge of digital asset management practices, including metadata standards, controlled vocabulary and taxonomy, file naming, versioning, and archival organization.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage large volumes of files accurately.
Ability to apply established brand standards and creative direction consistently across a range of subjects and formats.
Skill in working effectively with people at all levels — students, staff, faculty, researchers, senior leadership, and external guests — with discretion in sensitive or restricted settings.
Ability to communicate clearly with colleagues within the department and other university work units, and to translate a colleague’s content need into an appropriate visual solution.
Ability to manage multiple concurrent assignments, prioritize competing deadlines, and complete routine work with moderate guidance.
Working knowledge of model releases, photo permissions, image rights, and appropriate use of licensed imagery.

Nice To Haves

Portfolio of professional photography demonstrating event, portrait, and environmental/editorial work.

Responsibilities

Photographs assigned events, ceremonies, and campus activities on location; such as staff, faculty, and leadership portrait sessions on campus including photographing research laboratories, facilities, and field environments.
Serves as the still photographer on featured story shoots partnering with writers and videographers, capturing imagery that complements the written and video narrative.
Plans equipment, lighting, and shot approach for each assignment within established creative direction and university brand standards.
Consults with the supervisor on assignments that are new in scope or unusually complex.
Adapts to varied and sometimes unpredictable shooting conditions while maintaining a professional, courteous presence with university faculty, staff, students, research subjects, and external stakeholders.
Serves as day-to-day steward of ORP’s digital asset library. Ingests, culls, organizes, tags, and maintains photographic and related visual assets using the team’s established taxonomy, metadata conventions, and file-naming standards so that assets remain findable, accurately described, and properly documented.
Monitors library health by identifying duplicates, missing or inconsistent metadata, outdated imagery, and gaps in subject coverage, and recommends improvements to the supervisor.
Maintains records of model releases, usage permissions, photo credits, and licensing documentation so that image use complies with university requirements.
Selects, edits, retouches, color-corrects, and exports images using Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and Bridge, sizing and optimizing files for web, social media, print, presentations, reports, and media use.
Delivers final files to team members and stakeholders through established workflows and within agreed deadlines while managing several concurrent assignments.
Maintains consistent technical quality and brand alignment across all deliverables and escalates questions of creative interpretation or brand exception to the supervisor.
Assists writers, designers, and web staff in identifying and retrieving appropriate imagery for marketing and communications materials by recommending options from the digital asset library.
Propose a shoot or sourcing licensed stock within established guidelines.
Advises colleagues on image suitability, resolution, cropping, and appropriate use.
Participates in editorial and project planning meetings to anticipate upcoming visual needs and contributes shot list ideas for stories and campaigns.
Maintains, inventories, and troubleshoots camera bodies, lenses, lighting, and support equipment.
Recommending purchases and repairs when needed.
Maintains current knowledge of photographic techniques, equipment, software, and visual storytelling approaches relevant to research and institutional communications.