Graduate Research Assistant, The Harry Ransom Center

Job Posting Title:

Graduate Research Assistant, The Harry Ransom Center

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Hiring Department:

Harry Ransom Center

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

20

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2027

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

The Ransom Center is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum at The University of Texas at Austin. Its extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of writers and artists, deepening our understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts. Visitors engage with the Center's collections through research and study, exhibitions, publications, and a rich variety of program offerings including readings, talks, symposia, and film screenings.

The Ransom Center encourages discovery, inspires creativity, and advances understanding of the humanities for a broad audience through the preservation and sharing of its extraordinary collections.

Purpose

The Harry Ransom Center is seeking three Graduate Research Assistants to join a new one year cohort designed to support key functions across the institution’s divisions. This immersive program provides graduate students with hands-on experience in archival work and research support.

Cohort members will be placed in one of several units including Library Services, Instruction, or Curatorial based on institutional needs and candidate skills. Applicants should indicate which unit they are interested in applying to within submitted application materials.

The program emphasizes professional development, cross-department collaboration, and exposure to the operations of a leading research archive.

Priority consideration is given to applications received by April 20, 2026.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities will vary by assigned units but may include:

Library Services

• Assist with processing, describing, and rehousing collection materials
• Create metadata and update records in the HRC’s collection management systems
• Support research requests and collection discovery projects
• Help with user orientation, Reading Room operations, and reference services

Instruction

• Provide classroom and instructional support

Curatorial

• Assisting with exhibition research
• Support curator-led instruction
• Update new acquisitions records

Required Qualifications

• Students must be enrolled full-time (9 hours in fall and spring semesters and 3 hours in the summer) in the graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin
• Strong research, writing, and communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Detail‑oriented with strong organizational and time‑management abilities
• Commitment to supporting access to collections and services

Salary Range

• $26.87 per hour

Working Conditions

• Exposure to standard office conditions, including use of a keyboard at a workstation, continuous sitting, and continuous viewing of screens.
• Independent work as well as collaborative team-based working conditions.
• The applicant selected for the position will be required to participate in a background check.

Work Shift

• GRAs are required to work 20 hours per week between the hours of 8a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday with occasional Saturday hours for 12 months. GRAs are required to set a regular schedule each semester and attend a two day orientation that will be scheduled the week before the first day of class. GRAs will work up until the last day of finals for the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
• This position includes full tuition assistance for 9 credit hours of resident (in-state) in the Fall and Spring semesters and 3 credit hours in the Summer semester.
• The University of Texas pays premiums for GRA’s health insurance through the UT Student Health Insurance Plan.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 references with their contact information
• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Please confirm your eligibility for this position here: http://www.utexas.edu/hr/student/student_acad_employment.html

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

Students in this position may choose to enroll in the UTSaver voluntary retirement programs.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.