Digital Imaging Technician (Still Water Project)

University of Texas; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin's Harry Ransom Center is seeking a Digital Imaging Technician for the Still Water Project. The role will photograph and digitize priority collection materials, producing and processing high-quality digital files for preservation and access.

Reporting to the Head of Digital Imaging, you will coordinate with cataloging and conservation staff, maintain production records, and operate imaging equipment at UT Main Campus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in photography, studio art, museum studies, library and information science, digital archives, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience with digital photography and digital reformatting.
• Knowledge of digital imaging software and hardware.
• Good organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Assesses digitization needs and performs digital imaging of works of art and other collection materials using digital cameras and specialized imaging equipment, including the Digital Transitions DT ION and RGC180.
• Determines appropriate imaging setups based on the size, format, and condition of collection materials.
• Handles fragile and rare collection materials according to established best practices.
• Coordinate with the Art Cataloger to identify condition, housing, or handling concerns before and during imaging.
• Pauses work when necessary and consults with Conservation staff regarding safe handling, object supports, treatment status, and imaging readiness.
• Ensures the quality and accuracy of digital images.
• Performs post-processing and prepares digital files and associated technical metadata for preservation and access.
• Verifies file completeness, naming, image quality, and record association; uploads approved files to AWS; and associates images with records in the Center’s collection management system.
• Maintains accurate production records and tracks objects completed, images created, and other project metrics required for workflow management and grant reporting.
• Works efficiently in a high-volume, deadline-driven production environment while maintaining established standards for object safety, image quality, and file accuracy.
• Performs other related functions as assigned.

Skills

Digital photography

Digital reformatting

Imaging software

Organization

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in photography, studio art, museum studies, library and information science, digital archives, or a related field

Tools

Phase One camera systems

Capture One Cultural Heritage

Job description

Job Posting Title: Digital Imaging Technician (Still Water Project)

Hiring Department: Harry Ransom Center

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Oct 19, 2026

Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Oct 19, 2029

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 and diverse audience through the preservation and sharing of its extraordinary collections.

Purpose: This is a grant-funded, temporary, full-time, three-year position without the possibility of renewal. The Digital Imaging Technician will report to the Head of Digital Imaging and will photograph and digitize collection materials from the Center’s Art Collection that have been identified as cataloging priorities by the Curator of Art. Although primarily consisting of works on paper, such as prints and drawings, materials may also include a limited number of paintings and textiles. Produces, processes, and performs quality control on preservation and access images; coordinates with cataloging, conservation, and Digital Collection Services staff; and prepares digital files and associated technical information for ingest into Qi and public access.

Responsibilities

• Assesses digitization needs and performs digital imaging of works of art and other collection materials using digital cameras and specialized imaging equipment, including the Digital Transitions DT ION and RGC180.
• Determines appropriate imaging setups based on the size, format, and condition of collection materials.
• Handles fragile and rare collection materials according to established best practices.
• Coordinate with the Art Cataloger to identify condition, housing, or handling concerns before and during imaging.
• Pauses work when necessary and consults with Conservation staff regarding safe handling, object supports, treatment status, and imaging readiness.
• Ensures the quality and accuracy of digital images.
• Performs post-processing and prepares digital files and associated technical metadata for preservation and access.
• Verifies file completeness, naming, image quality, and record association; uploads approved files to AWS; and associates images with records in the Center’s collection management system.
• Maintains accurate production records and tracks objects completed, images created, and other project metrics required for workflow management and grant reporting.
• Works efficiently in a high-volume, deadline-driven production environment while maintaining established standards for object safety, image quality, and file accuracy.
• Performs other related functions as assigned.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in photography, studio art, museum studies, library and information science, digital archives, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience with digital photography and digital reformatting.
• Knowledge of digital imaging software and hardware.
• Good organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience working in a professional photography studio, museum imaging studio, or digitization lab.
• Experience photographing works of art or other cultural heritage collections.
• Experience with Phase One camera systems, Capture One Cultural Heritage, or comparable color-managed cultural heritage imaging systems.
• Experience working on high-volume or project-based digitization initiatives.
• Familiarity with handling fragile library, archival, and museum materials.

Salary

Salary: $45,000

Working conditions

May work around standard office conditions. Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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]

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-0