Graduate Research Assistant - UT Press
Position Type
Hours Per Week
Description
The University of Tennessee Press seeks a motivated graduate student pursuing a degree in Library and Information Sciences to join our team as a Graduate Assistant. This part-time position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in various aspects of publishing, including supervision, acquisitions, editorial work, design, production, digital initiatives, marketing, business/financial tasks, and publicity.
This is a 12-month, 50% assistantship running from August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027. This position has a monthly salary, and a full tuition waiver.
Responsibilities & Duties
Supervision
- Supervise undergraduate interns, conducting regular meetings to assess duties and progress.
- Provide mentorship and support to interns.
- Manage internship paperwork and promote upcoming openings.
Acquisitions
- Evaluate manuscript and proposal submissions, providing initial feedback.
- Draft response emails to authors.
- Conduct market analysis for prospective titles.
- Prepare preliminary P&L spreadsheets for potential titles.
- Research authors and topics for new titles and peer reviewers.
Editorial
- Copyedit one full manuscript and prepare manuscripts for submission.
- Assist in preparing copyedited manuscripts for design submission.
- Help coordinate the peer review process and editorial board preparation.
- Proofread all stages of page proofs (first, second, and final).
Design
- Create art logs for manuscripts, sorting and evaluating images.
- Research rights holders and evaluate cover/internal designs.
- Prepare files for print and digital formats, resizing as needed.
- Maintain design archives and compose alt-text for accessibility.
Production
- Assist in scheduling and tracking production timelines.
- Coordinate with printers and vendors, following up on requests.
- Proof final pages and check printer proof copies.
- Proof eBooks for publication.
Digital Initiatives
- Create and refresh metadata and subject categories.
- Assist with data cleaning projects and maintain contact databases (authors, donors, customers).
- Support Jira record management and gather assets for publishing partners.
- Assist with the digitization of press records.
Marketing
- Implement marketing plans for overall and specific titles.
- Research course adoption potential and maintain the press website.
- Create promotional materials, including flyers and blog posts, and manage social media schedules.
- Conduct market research to identify target audiences.
Business/Financial
- Assist in processing financial transactions and maintaining records of royalty payments.
- Support budgeting and financial reporting tasks, tracking invoices as needed.
Publicity
- Update and maintain press social media accounts and interact with partner accounts.
- Brainstorm and create content for social media using Canva.
- Organize author events and outreach programs and draft press releases for new titles.
- Track media coverage and organize media kits.
Preferred Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in a graduate program in Library and Information Sciences or a related field.
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with social media platforms.
- Experience with publishing software and tools (e.g., Jira, Canva, InDesign) is a plus.
Application Procedures
Please email your cover letter, resume, and contact information for 2-3 references to Katie Hannah at khannah1@utk.edu.In your cover letter, indicate your qualifications for the position.