The Senior UX Designer is responsible for ensuring that PKP produces accessible, user-centered software that meets the needs of a diverse global community of scholarly publishers. The Senior UX Designer will conduct user research, gather product requirements, communicate these requirements clearly to developers, and evaluate the success of delivered work. This is a new position at PKP with a mandate to establish and implement design-led practices in the product development process. The successful applicant will work closely with lead developers to improve our open source publishing software, which is currently used by more than 25,000 journals around the world to protect public access to scholarly knowledge.  The Senior UX Designer reports to the Associate Director of Development. In the future, the Senior UX Designer should be prepared to manage one or more researchers or designers.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Plan, coordinate and conduct user research.
• Coordinate and commission accessibility audits from experts.
• Analyze research data and identify key product opportunities.
• Gather product requirements.
• Create prototypes, wireframes and mockups.
• Communicate about planned work with colleagues and community members.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in UX, design or related roles in a software design setting.
• Experience planning, coordinating and conducting user research.
• Experience producing UX deliverables such as research reports, personas and site maps.
• Demonstrated ability to design prototypes and mockups for software that is in active use in mobile and desktop settings.
• Ability to plan and implement design-led development processes in an organization.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with a diverse range of individuals and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills in English.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, including the ability to work on multiple initiatives concurrently.

Additional consideration:

• Experience organizing and facilitating co-creation workshops or similar focus groups.
• Communication skills in a language other than English.
• Ability to analyze research data and identify development opportunities.
• Experience with PKP software (e.g. Open Journal Systems) or a similar large, open source project.
• Experience with workflow software, or a similar setting with complex product requirements.
• Experience with publishing, scholarly communications, or Library Information Sciences (LIS).
• Experience coordinating accessibility audits or meeting accessibility standards.

Working arrangements

This is an initial 1-year independent contractor position with the expectation of extension. PKP is a remote team. This position offers a flexible working arrangement with the ability to work remotely. The chosen candidate should be highly motivated and able to work independently under limited supervision. The position is full-time. Working hours are flexible throughout the week, with some obligation to participate in scheduled meetings, conferences, webinars, etc.

Salary

$90,000-$100,000 CAD annually, depending on experience and hours worked (inclusive of pay in lieu of benefits and vacation).

Application process

Please apply with a resume, cover letter, and examples of your prototypes, mockups, user stories or personas, no later than 4pm Pacific Time on May 16, 2022.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. The Public Knowledge Project is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from qualified candidates of all genders, visible minorities, persons of First Nations, Inuit, or Métis heritage, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2SIA+ identified persons.

About PKP

PKP is a university-based initiative developing (free) open source software and conducting research to improve the quality, reach, and diversity of scholarly publishing. PKP’s various website platforms, including Open Journal Systems, Open Preprint Systems, and Open Monograph Press, guide users through the editorial workflow of scholarly publishing, including submission, review, editing, publishing and indexing. Thousands of people around the world are now using the software to publish independent journals on a peer-reviewed and open access basis, greatly increasing the public and global contribution of research and scholarship. PKP works with several stakeholders, including sustainers, donors, and development partners who provide financial support; software developers and programmers who contribute to the ongoing development of open source software; and strategic partners who consult with PKP on strategic goals.   In addition to supporting free, open source software, PKP offers journal hosting to organizations from around the world, including university libraries, scholarly and scientific societies and associations, commercial publishers, non-profit organizations, and independent scholar-publishers.  PKP is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive working environment. We believe an open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We seek to contribute to efforts and goals to develop and support the decolonization of scholarly publishing, to collaborate in postcolonial publishing initiatives, and to provide the means for a diversity of academic inquiry and voices to readily engage in scholarly publishing.

For more information on PKP, please see our Organization page.