Research Associate III, The Harry Ransom Center
About this role
Job Posting Title:
Research Associate III, The Harry Ransom Center----
Hiring Department:
Harry Ransom Center----
Position Open To:
All Applicants----
Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40----
FLSA Status:
Exempt from FLSA----
Earliest Start Date:
Jun 01, 2026----
Position Duration:
Expected to Continue----
Location:
UT MAIN CAMPUS----
Job Details:
General Notes
About the Harry Ransom Center:
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
Provides research support for on and offsite patron services in all collections, with a primary focus on Literature, History, Photography, Cultural studies, or other Humanities-related fields. Participates in developing and implementing policies and procedures for reference and research services. Performs other functions as needed in support of patron research, patron services, instructional services, and collection interpretation.
Responsibilities
• Reporting to the Head of Reference Services, provides research assistance to and answers reference questions from remote and local library patrons regarding all collections. Shares responsibility for handling photoduplication and permission requests for these specific collections.
• Collects and compiles circulation and collection use data, analyzes data and prepares reports. Collaborates with Ransom Center instructional, curatorial, conservation, and research services staff along with University faculty to design and deliver student-centered instructional sessions prioritizing active learning strategies.
• Provides circulation, reference and research assistance to faculty, scholars and fellows, and students for all collections but with a special focus on literature holdings. Serves at the Reading Room circulation, reference, and reception desks, including some Saturdays. Works with curatorial, conservation, and cataloging staff to ensure the highest standards of collection care.
• Participates in Ransom Center committee activities as requested, including evaluating collections and library acquisitions.
Required Qualifications
• Master's degree with coursework in humanities, performing arts, art history, or film. Two years of experience.
• Experience in literary, archival, or special collections research.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral presentations.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced degree or coursework in library or information science, or in a discipline aligned with the Ransom Center's major collection strengths.
• Three years experience in archives or special collections public services. Reading knowledge of one or more foreign languages.
Salary Range
• $47,000.00+ dependent upon qualifications
Working Conditions
• May work around standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity
• Lifting and moving
Required Materials
• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• 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:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.----
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.----
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.