Research Communications Coordinator

Join our University Marketing and Communications team as a Research Communications Coordinator. The successful candidate will play an important role in increasing awareness of the research accomplishments and contributions throughout the University. This position is located in Brookings, South Dakota. This position is a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position.

University Marketing and Communications serves as the central communications office for the university. Its staff foster and expand relationships with internal and external audiences and align communications initiatives and messaging with the university’s strategic direction and goals.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Research Communications Coordinator is responsible for managing communications and media relations associated with South Dakota State University’s research enterprise. This individual works as the primary storyteller to effectively describe and promote the university’s research activities to local, regional and national audiences.

Job Duties Include:

• Develop a cohesive research communications and marketing strategy that aligns with university objectives, working with the Vice President for Research and Economic Development and other university leadership. Work directly with university researchers to promote their work and expertise to the media and public.
• Develop strategic communications by conducting interviews, producing unique written content and assisting in production of video, graphics and photos across all platforms including digital or broadcast channels, website and social media. Serve as the university’s lead communicator for the annual research report and monthly electronic newsletters. Highlight university researchers and their work through news releases and feature stories and pitching stories to news outlets. Respond to requests from national print and broadcast media.
• Provide oversight of the university’s experts list on sdstate.edu and increase awareness and use of university experts in regional, national and international media. Identify, recruit and maintain relationships with researchers willing to be included on the experts list. Monitor breaking news and identify and pitch those SDSU experts to media to be utilized as expert sources for comment.
• Other writing duties as assigned, contributing as needed to university magazines, newsletters, news releases, brochures and other deadline-driven writing projects overseen by UMC’s Strategic Communications team.

BENEFITS:

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, English, marketing or related field completed by start date
• At least three years of relevant strategic/broadcast communications experience in a fast-paced professional environment
• Exceptional communication and organizational skills
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Knowledge of Associated Press style
• Ability to present the results of research, type, content and form of articles required for publication by television stations, magazines, trade journals and newspapers
• Must be able to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines and within established budgets
• Ability to take a project from concept through final application and execution
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Earned master’s degree
• Experience working with students and interns
• Web content development and management experience
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (including Photoshop) and/or other image-editing and desktop publishing software
• Experience with marketing automation and CRM tools
• Experience in covering research-related topics

APPLICATION PROCESS:

This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, curriculum vitae, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDState Human Resources at 605-688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

• Posting Date: 10/15/2026
• Closing Date:
• Open Until Filled: No
• First Consideration Date: 11/13/2026
• Advertised Salary: The salary range for this position is $51,063 - $71,488, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Duration of the Term: 12 months
• Appointment Percent: 100
• Work Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Appointment Type: Regular
• Faculty Status: No
• Scope of Search: External (includes Internal)
• This position requires: Valid Drivers License
• If other, please indicate: Some irregular hours as needed

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.

Contact Information

For questions on the position, contact search committee chair Andrea Kieckhefer Andrea.Kieckhefer@sdstate.edu or 605-688-4537.

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position.

Analyzing, Comprehend, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Multiple Stimuli, Pace-average, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Protective Clothing/Equipment

Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment.

If other protection is used please identify

Physical Requirements

Please designate the physical requirements of this position

Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Repetitive Motion, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Use Both Hands, Walking, Wrist Movement (twisting or rotating)

Describe any of the conditions selected

Sensory Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position.

Color Vision, Depth Perception, Distant Vision, Hearing, Near Vision, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures

Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day.

Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked above

Working Environment

Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed.

Office Environment

If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. • Where did you hear about this position?
     • LinkedIn
     • SDBOR Employment Site
     • South Dakota Department of Labor
     • Employee Referral
     • Department Announcement / Inside State
     • Handshake
     • Job Board (Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter) - Please specify
     • Industry Conference
     • Search Engine - Please specify
     • Employment Agency - Please specify
     • Newspaper - Please specify
     • HigherEdJobs.com
     • Chronicle of Higher Education
     • Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) - Please specify
     • Radio - Please specify
     • APLU
     • List Servs - Please specify
     • Alumni
     • Other - Please specify

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Reference List

Optional Documents