Human Resources

Communications Coordinator

Apply now Job No: 26089
Department: Great Lakes Research Center
Work Type: Staff - Full Time
Location: Main Campus (Houghton, MI)
Full Time / Part Time: Full Time
Categories: Research
Applications Close: Eastern Daylight Time

Ensured Consideration Date: June 24th, 2026

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.

The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.

Summary

The Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) provides comprehensive research support to faculty and professional research staff through the Institute and GLRC affiliated Centers at Michigan Tech. Services include pre- and post-award proposal development, project implementation and management, and outreach and promotion of scholarly activities and the impacts these activities have on benefiting the world. The GLRC is seeking to hire a full-time Communications Associate or Communications Coordinator who will contribute to the outreach and marketing of research activities through social and digital media, graphic design services, content development, and provide pre- and post-award research support services.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

1. Develop content for use in outreach activities, and for the promotion of research capabilities and the broader impacts of scholarly activities
2. Provide graphic design support for proposal and publication graphics, trade show material, logos, and for other research-focused marketing platforms
3. Develop and maintain boilerplate descriptions of core capabilities and facility and laboratory descriptions for use in a variety of marketing, outreach, and proposal material
4. Work collaboratively with other communication personnel to support a vibrant social media presence that showcase researchers, on-going research projects, facility and equipment capabilities, and positive societal impacts of research outcomes
5. Provide photography services to ensure a repository of images for use in social, digital, and print materials
6. Provide editing and proofreading services as assigned
7. Support the development of scripts for videos, podcasts, and other audio/visual products
8. Contribute to the development of brand identity guides for Centers and initiatives affiliated with the GLRC Institute
9. Work collaboratively on reports and external marketing materials, press releases, and outreach materials; and internal communications including Tech Today.
10. Support the brand recognition of external partners contributing to the educational and research mission of the University through partner recognition initiatives
11. Provide marketing and outreach support for events including meetings, technical workshops, and conferences, as assigned
12. Support the recognition of researcher success and accomplishments
13. Provide pre-award proposal development support to researchers
14. Contribute to a collaborative team environment to support research growth and the growth of GLRC and affiliated centers
15. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with students, staff, and faculty from diverse backgrounds, create a sense of belonging, and foster a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for people with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints
16. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
17. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• Bachelor’s degree in scientific and technical communications; graphic design,
marketing and outreach, or similar discipline

Required Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in marketing
• Experience developing content, and proofreading and editing content created by others, for marketing and outreach materials
• Experience in website development and maintenance
• Creation and management of content for a variety of social media platforms including Facebook; Instagram; LinkedIn; and YouTube
• Ability to work independently, managing multiple projects for a variety of clients
• Experience editing research content including proposals, technical reports, and Journal articles

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Master’s degree or higher
• Experience working in higher education providing creative material for outreach activities
• Experience promoting University-based research
• Experience providing pre-award proposal development support
• Experience developing and managing budgets
• Experience working with diverse clients including federal, foundation and industry
• Photography and video production experience

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Competence in Adobe Suite, Canva, Google Suite, and Microsoft Suite
• Excellent written communication skills
• Ability to create graphics for proposals
• Familiarity with boilerplate content for higher education and research
• Ability to lead marketing and outreach projects
• Competence in Modern Campus CMS

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience with, Michigan Tech specific business software applications including Webfocus, Banner, Concur, TechStore, and ASPIRE
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

 WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:
• Employee Safety Overview
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
• Annual Data Security Training
• Annual Title IX Training

Additional training will be required by the department on a periodic basis.

Background Check:
Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)

1.0

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Shift

-

Pay Rate/Salary

The minimum salary for this position is $55,000 . The final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Title of Position Supervisor

Director, Business and Program Development, Great Lakes Research Center

Posting Type

 Internal & External

Dependent on Funding

 Yes

Additional Information

This position is contingent upon the continued availability of external funding.

Full consideration will be given to applicants that apply by June 24th, 2026

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.


Other Conditions of Employment:
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.

In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)

Advertised: Eastern Daylight Time
Applications Close: Eastern Daylight Time

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