Inside Higher Ed
Overview
The Lead Researcher and Writer spearheads strategic communications, historical research, and narrative development to amplify the Center’s mission, vision, and public impact. This role provides high-level writing and editorial support to the Executive Director, enhancing the Center’s visibility through speeches, opinion columns, scholarly publications, reports, exhibits, podcasts, and educational content. In collaboration with the Assistant Director for History, Research and Education and the Communications Manager, the Lead Researcher and Writer researches and develops a broad range of materials—including content for exhibits, oral histories, and multimedia projects.
Location and Organization
Location: Columbia, SC. Department: PROV Civil Rights Center. Division: Division of Academic Affairs and Provost. Advertised salary range: $54,165 – Salary commensurate with qualifications. Status: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week. Work schedule: Typical hours 9 am to 5 pm, M-F; schedule may change for events. Type of staff: Staff Research Grant (SRGP). Basis: 12 months. Job search category: Communication Services. Open date: 08/29/2025. Job close date: 09/05/2025. Open until filled: No. Desired start date: 09/15/2025. Position end date: 08/31/2027.
Responsibilities (Job Duties)
Research and Executive Editorial Support: conduct archival, oral history, and secondary research; translate complex historical research into accessible written materials; draft and edit executive communications, commemorative statements, grant narratives, and educational toolkits; ensure accuracy and editorial excellence.
Programmatic and Public History Contributions: collaborate to develop interpretive content for exhibitions and public history projects; contribute research and writing to podcasts, oral histories, and documentary scripts; support materials related to AACRN and other grant-funded initiatives.
Strategic Communications and Messaging: lead and support strategic communications; craft executive speeches, op-eds, press releases, policy briefings, and institutional reports; research and draft speeches, scholarly publications, donor correspondence, and strategic planning documents; collaborate with university communications and government relations teams; guide messaging for consistency with Center goals.
Institutional Outreach and Event Support: assist with press releases, newsletters, communications calendar, and public events; draft and review content for website, social media, and promotional materials; prepare briefing materials for visiting scholars and partners; participate in planning sessions and provide editorial support.
Essential Function
Yes
Percent Time Allocation
Research and Editorial Support: 30%
Programmatic and Public History Contributions: 25%
Strategic Communications and Messaging: 25%
Institutional Outreach and Event Support: 20%
Qualifications
Job Related Minimum Required Education And Experience:
Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job-related field and 4 or more years of job-related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job-related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
ABD or Ph.D. in History, Public History, African American Studies, Journalism, Communications, or a related discipline.
At least 5 years of professional experience in research, writing, and strategic communications.
Experience in civil rights history or African American history, particularly in the American South.
Familiarity with university communications, museum exhibitions, or public history initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to produce concise, high-impact content such as briefing documents, one-pagers, and editorial columns.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Extensive knowledge of African American history and the civil rights movement.
Ability to lead and support strategic messaging efforts with clarity.
Excellent research, writing, and editing skills across academic and public-facing formats.
Familiarity with brand standards, media strategy, and public history communication tools.
Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
Attention to detail and commitment to ethical and inclusive storytelling.
EEO and Benefits
EEO Statement: The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected bases.
South Carolina Retirement: No
State Insurance Programs: Yes
Annual Leave: Yes
Sick Leave: Yes
General Information
Special Instructions To Applicant: Positions are advertised for a minimum of five business days on our job website. After five business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department. We are only accepting applications submitted by September 5, 2025. Quicklink for Posting: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/194032
Notes
Open documentation indicates job is listed with a close date of 09/05/2025. This position may be closed at any time after five business days as described above. End date is 08/31/2027 depending on funding and department needs.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Lead Researcher and Writer spearheads strategic communications, historical research, and narrative development to amplify the Center’s mission, vision, and public impact. This role provides high-level writing and editorial support to the Executive Director, enhancing the Center’s visibility through speeches, opinion columns, scholarly publications, reports, exhibits, podcasts, and educational content. In collaboration with the Assistant Director for History, Research and Education and the Communications Manager, the Lead Researcher and Writer researches and develops a broad range of materials—including content for exhibits, oral histories, and multimedia projects.
Location and Organization
Location: Columbia, SC. Department: PROV Civil Rights Center. Division: Division of Academic Affairs and Provost. Advertised salary range: $54,165 – Salary commensurate with qualifications. Status: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week. Work schedule: Typical hours 9 am to 5 pm, M-F; schedule may change for events. Type of staff: Staff Research Grant (SRGP). Basis: 12 months. Job search category: Communication Services. Open date: 08/29/2025. Job close date: 09/05/2025. Open until filled: No. Desired start date: 09/15/2025. Position end date: 08/31/2027.
Responsibilities (Job Duties)
Research and Executive Editorial Support: conduct archival, oral history, and secondary research; translate complex historical research into accessible written materials; draft and edit executive communications, commemorative statements, grant narratives, and educational toolkits; ensure accuracy and editorial excellence.
Programmatic and Public History Contributions: collaborate to develop interpretive content for exhibitions and public history projects; contribute research and writing to podcasts, oral histories, and documentary scripts; support materials related to AACRN and other grant-funded initiatives.
Strategic Communications and Messaging: lead and support strategic communications; craft executive speeches, op-eds, press releases, policy briefings, and institutional reports; research and draft speeches, scholarly publications, donor correspondence, and strategic planning documents; collaborate with university communications and government relations teams; guide messaging for consistency with Center goals.
Institutional Outreach and Event Support: assist with press releases, newsletters, communications calendar, and public events; draft and review content for website, social media, and promotional materials; prepare briefing materials for visiting scholars and partners; participate in planning sessions and provide editorial support.
Essential Function
Yes
Percent Time Allocation
Research and Editorial Support: 30%
Programmatic and Public History Contributions: 25%
Strategic Communications and Messaging: 25%
Institutional Outreach and Event Support: 20%
Qualifications
Job Related Minimum Required Education And Experience:
Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job-related field and 4 or more years of job-related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job-related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
ABD or Ph.D. in History, Public History, African American Studies, Journalism, Communications, or a related discipline.
At least 5 years of professional experience in research, writing, and strategic communications.
Experience in civil rights history or African American history, particularly in the American South.
Familiarity with university communications, museum exhibitions, or public history initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to produce concise, high-impact content such as briefing documents, one-pagers, and editorial columns.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Extensive knowledge of African American history and the civil rights movement.
Ability to lead and support strategic messaging efforts with clarity.
Excellent research, writing, and editing skills across academic and public-facing formats.
Familiarity with brand standards, media strategy, and public history communication tools.
Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
Attention to detail and commitment to ethical and inclusive storytelling.
EEO and Benefits
EEO Statement: The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected bases.
South Carolina Retirement: No
State Insurance Programs: Yes
Annual Leave: Yes
Sick Leave: Yes
General Information
Special Instructions To Applicant: Positions are advertised for a minimum of five business days on our job website. After five business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department. We are only accepting applications submitted by September 5, 2025. Quicklink for Posting: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/194032
Notes
Open documentation indicates job is listed with a close date of 09/05/2025. This position may be closed at any time after five business days as described above. End date is 08/31/2027 depending on funding and department needs.
#J-18808-Ljbffr