Web Designer and Digital Humanities Editor

Join a fully grant funded digital humanities project with the support of a dedicated university office and library research resources. This onsite role in Knoxville, TN focuses on building and maintaining a project website, publishing original online content, and supporting humanities research through digitization, transcription, and editorial work. The position is funded for four years from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2030, with an anticipated hiring range of $60,000 to $70,000 (UT market range MR09).

What You’ll Do

• Design, update, and maintain the project website.
• Improve the site using best practices for user experience, optimized search, current web accessibility standards, and responsive design principles.
• Build and refine information architecture so content is logically organized and easy to navigate.
• Monitor security and usability to keep the website running effectively.
• Create original online content that supports the project’s public-facing work.
• Digitize microfilm and images of original documents.
• Create, check, and format transcriptions for digitized materials.
• Assist PAJ staff with original historical research and mentor undergraduate and graduate assistants.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrated web design experience, including coding, website maintenance, and image editing.
• Demonstrated historical research experience using databases and online search tools.
• Relevant experience may be gained through coursework, internships, freelance or volunteer work, or professional employment.
• Historical background: knowledge of basic US history, 1789-1848, ideally including politics and US-Indian relations; ability to read and accurately transcribe 19th-century handwriting; ability to find and use archival finding aids.
• Technical background: knowledge of and ability to do TEI coding, and ability to use WordPress and Omeka; ability to code; detailed knowledge of website design; strong image editing skills.

Helpful Experience

• Experience working with a team on a digital humanities project (preferred).
• Experience with archival research, including identifying, requesting, reading, filming, and transcribing 19th-century manuscripts (preferred).
• Detailed knowledge of 19th-century US history (a plus).

Technologies

• TEI
• WordPress
• Omeka

Work authorization requirement: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for sponsorship for employment-based visa status now or in the future.

Application Instructions

Submit an application including:

• Resume
• Letter of interest outlining qualifications for the position

For full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before September 10, 2026.

About the Department and Project

The Jackson Papers is a long-running, highly regarded project seeking to make widely available the full written record of the seventh U.S. president. Current project staff hold faculty appointments in the UT Department of History and are fully engaged in the intellectual life of the campus and community. Research support is available through the project office and university library, including government records, microfilmed manuscript collections, and major electronic databases.