Junior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer

Company: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing & Communications Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: January 13, 2026

Experience Level: Junior (1-3 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Supports academic and scientific initiatives for medical oncology faculty and fellows through expert visual content creation.

• Develops engaging social media and video content, including animations and infographics, to enhance scientific communication and outreach.

• Designs a comprehensive range of materials, from patient communication collateral and marketing content to conference presentations and print/digital assets.

• Contributes to the visual identity and high-quality output reflecting Dana-Farber's international leadership in breast cancer research and care.

• Aids in the creation of dynamic PowerPoint presentations and web content, ensuring clarity and visual appeal for diverse audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is for a Junior Graphic Designer, the context of supporting medical oncology faculty and fellows in an academic and scientific setting elevates it beyond typical junior design roles. The focus on sophisticated visual storytelling for research, clinical trials, and patient communication requires a strong understanding of scientific subject matter and the ability to translate complex information into accessible graphics. This is not just about aesthetics; it's about effective communication within a high-stakes healthcare and research environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a variety of print collateral, including brochures, postcards, and informational handouts, ensuring brand consistency and clarity.

• Create compelling digital signage and visual advertisements for internal and external communication channels.

• Develop digital illustrations and informative infographics to simplify complex data and research findings.

• Design engaging email and e-newsletter templates to improve subscriber engagement and information dissemination.

• Produce dynamic social media-friendly content, including animations and short-form videos, to expand the center's digital reach.

• Craft visually impactful PowerPoint presentations for scientific conferences, internal meetings, and academic reviews.

• Design and update web pages, sections, and landing pages to ensure a cohesive and user-friendly online presence.

• Create graphic designs for plain language research summaries and clinical trial recruitment materials, enhancing accessibility and encouraging participation.

• Develop visual assets for patient and provider forum discussions, fostering engagement and understanding.

• Support the Senior Graphic Designer and Senior Program Manager in project execution and delivery of high-quality visual assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities list highlights a broad spectrum of design needs, from traditional print and digital marketing to highly specialized scientific and patient-facing materials. The emphasis on "dynamic" content, animations, short-form video, and infographics suggests a need for skills beyond static graphic design, pointing towards motion graphics and potentially basic video editing proficiency. The requirement to design for "plain language research summaries" and "clinical trial recruitment materials" indicates a critical need for clear, ethical, and effective communication design that adheres to healthcare regulations and best practices.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Strong Typography Skills: Ability to select and apply appropriate typefaces for maximum readability and aesthetic impact across various media.

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level command of InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator for all design tasks.

• After Effects Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to create animations and dynamic visual content.

• Digital Design Expertise: High fluency in designing for web pages, e-newsletters, and digital advertisements.

• Mac-Based Systems Fluency: Comfortable and proficient working within a Mac operating system environment.

• Pre-Press Knowledge: Solid understanding of pre-press processes for print production, including color management and file preparation.

• Design Principles: Demonstrated excellent understanding and application of fundamental design principles (layout, color theory, composition, etc.).

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration and presentation of design concepts.

• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple design projects from concept to completion, meeting deadlines and objectives.

• Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to work collaboratively and build positive relationships with faculty, fellows, and colleagues.

Preferred Skills:

• HTML/CSS Understanding: Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS for web design integration and understanding of web development constraints.

• Web Authoring Software: Familiarity with web authoring tools such as Dreamweaver, Flash, or Fireworks.

• Photography Knowledge: Basic understanding of photography principles and techniques.

• Video Production & Editing: Knowledge of video production workflows and editing tools like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" list is quite extensive, particularly the emphasis on After Effects and digital design. Candidates should be prepared to showcase work demonstrating these specific capabilities. The preference for HTML/CSS and video editing skills suggests an environment that values multi-disciplinary creative talent, even at a junior level. The requirement for Mac proficiency is standard in many creative roles but worth noting.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Design Versatility: Showcase a range of projects including print collateral, digital assets, infographics, social media graphics, and presentations.

• Technical Proficiency Showcase: Include examples that highlight your mastery of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and After Effects.

• Scientific/Academic Focus: Include any projects that demonstrate your ability to translate complex information into clear, visually appealing graphics, preferably in a scientific or healthcare context.

• Web & Digital Execution: Provide examples of web page mockups, e-newsletter designs, or digital ad campaigns.

• Animation/Video Samples: Include short animations or video clips that demonstrate your motion graphics capabilities.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates may be asked to discuss their design process, including:
  • Brief Interpretation: How you take a creative brief and translate it into design concepts.
  • Iterative Design: Your approach to receiving feedback and iterating on designs to meet stakeholder needs.
  • File Management: Your methods for organizing and preparing design files for print and digital deployment.
  • Collaboration Workflow: How you integrate feedback from multiple stakeholders, especially in a complex organizational structure.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Junior Graphic Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to clearly demonstrate the technical skills listed, especially After Effects. Beyond just showing finished products, candidates should be prepared to articulate their thought process and design methodology, particularly how they approach client feedback and manage project workflows, even for smaller projects. Highlighting any experience with science communication or health-related design will be a significant advantage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) or similar plan with potential employer match.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous accrual of vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and conferences to enhance design skills.

• Tuition Assistance: Support for continuing education and skill development.

• Life and Disability Insurance: Employer-paid life insurance and short/long-term disability coverage.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position with a standard 40-hour work week. The role operates on a hybrid model, requiring 2-3 days per week in the office. Remote work days must be within a New England state (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI).

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific and competitive for a Junior Graphic Designer role in the Boston area, especially within a prestigious healthcare institution. The benefits listed are typical for a full-time position at a large organization like Dana-Farber, emphasizing comprehensive healthcare and professional growth. The hybrid work arrangement with specific remote state limitations is a key detail for interested candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare / Cancer Research & Treatment

Company Size: Large (Over 5,000 employees)

Founded: 1947

Team Structure:

• The Junior Graphic Designer will report to the Senior Program Manager and work closely with the Senior Graphic Designer within the Breast Oncology Center.

• This role is embedded within a specialized department, requiring close collaboration with medical oncology faculty and fellows.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Visual content is created to support scientific data, clinical outcomes, and patient engagement metrics.

• Collaborative Workflow: Design processes involve input and feedback from subject matter experts (faculty, fellows) and project managers.

• Quality & Impact Focus: Emphasis on creating high-quality visual assets that accurately reflect the center's research and clinical excellence and effectively communicate complex information.

• Brand Adherence: Maintaining Dana-Farber's brand guidelines while adapting them for specific departmental and project needs.

Company Website: https://dana-farber.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: Dana-Farber's mission-driven culture is central. The Breast Oncology Center's environment suggests a fast-paced, highly specialized, and academically rigorous setting. The Junior Graphic Designer will need to be comfortable working with scientists and clinicians, understanding their needs, and translating complex medical information into accessible visuals. Collaboration is key, and the ability to integrate feedback from diverse stakeholders is crucial for success.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Junior Creative / Support Role

Reporting Structure:

Operations Impact:

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like motion graphics, scientific illustration, or digital content creation.

• Industry Exposure: Gain invaluable experience in healthcare communications, medical illustration, and scientific visualization within a world-renowned institution.

• Mentorship: Learn from experienced Senior Graphic Designers and Program Managers, fostering professional development.

• Potential Advancement: Develop the skills and portfolio to move into mid-level graphic designer roles, potentially within specialized departments or the broader marketing/communications teams at Dana-Farber or similar institutions.

• Continued Learning: Access to professional development resources, workshops, and potentially conferences to stay current with design trends and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Junior Graphic Designer, growth is typically measured by expanding skill sets and portfolio depth. This role offers a strong platform to build a career in healthcare or scientific communications design, a niche but growing field. The hybrid work model and location in a major city also present opportunities for networking and continued professional engagement within the design community.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment with a blend of remote and on-site work.

Office Location(s): 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215. This is a central location within Boston's Longwood Medical Area, known for its concentration of healthcare and research institutions.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Setting: The on-site days will likely involve working in a shared office space within the Breast Oncology Center, facilitating direct interaction with faculty, fellows, and the design team.

• Technology Access: Expected to have access to necessary design software and hardware provided by Dana-Farber for on-site work, and may be expected to have suitable equipment for remote work.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and direct communication with colleagues to ensure project alignment and creative synergy.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week. The hybrid schedule allows for 2-3 days of remote work per week, with remote work restricted to New England states. This offers a degree of flexibility while maintaining in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role provides a balance between focused remote work and collaborative in-office engagement. Being located in Boston's Longwood Medical Area offers proximity to cutting-edge research and other healthcare organizations, which can be professionally stimulating. Candidates should be prepared for a professional, research-oriented environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative output.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing key projects, design process, and technical skills, particularly those related to After Effects and scientific communication.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: A potential practical exercise or design challenge to evaluate problem-solving skills, speed, and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions designed to assess communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and cultural fit within the Breast Oncology Center and Dana-Farber.

• Meet the Team: Interviews with the Senior Program Manager and Senior Graphic Designer to evaluate fit and discuss team dynamics.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Focus on 5-7 of your strongest projects that best showcase the required skills (especially After Effects, infographics, scientific communication).

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your design process, challenges faced, and the final outcome. Highlight how you incorporated feedback.

• Technical Demonstration: Ensure examples clearly demonstrate proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and After Effects.

• Scientific Relevance: If possible, include projects that demonstrate your ability to simplify complex information for a lay audience or in a scientific context.

• Presentation Clarity: Prepare a clear, concise, and visually appealing presentation (e.g., PDF or live screen share) for your portfolio walkthrough.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Be prepared for a design challenge that might involve creating a graphic for a research summary, a social media post, or a presentation slide.

• Time Management: Practice working quickly and efficiently under a time constraint.

• Brand Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with Dana-Farber's brand guidelines if publicly available, or be prepared to ask clarifying questions about brand requirements.

• Communication: Clearly articulate your thought process and design decisions during and after the challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the portfolio. Candidates must be ready to "walk through" their work, explaining their design decisions, technical execution, and problem-solving approaches. A design challenge is highly probable for a creative role like this, so practicing quick turnarounds and articulating rationale is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Software:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • InDesign: Essential for layout and print collateral (brochures, handouts).
  • Photoshop: Crucial for image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Illustrator: Fundamental for vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
  • After Effects: Required for creating animations, motion graphics, and dynamic video content.

• Mac-Based Operating System: The primary work environment.

Web & Digital Tools (Helpful but not mandatory):

• HTML/CSS: Basic understanding for web design context.

• Web Authoring Software: Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks (less common now but listed as helpful).

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with platforms used for website updates may be beneficial.

Video & Multimedia Tools (Helpful but not mandatory):

• Adobe Premiere Pro: For video editing.

• Final Cut Pro: Alternative video editing software.

Productivity & Collaboration Tools:

• Microsoft Office Suite: Particularly PowerPoint for presentation design.

• Email & Calendar: Standard productivity tools.

• Project Management Software: Potentially used for task tracking and workflow management (e.g., Asana, Trello, or internal systems).

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, with a specific emphasis on After Effects, is non-negotiable. While other tools are listed as helpful, candidates should ensure their portfolio and resume strongly feature their capabilities with the core Adobe products. The Mac operating system is also a key requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to Dana-Farber's mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases.

• Excellence & Innovation: Striving for the highest quality in research, patient care, and communication.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: Commitment to creating an equitable environment for all patients, families, and staff.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across departments and with diverse stakeholders to achieve common goals.

• Compassion: A patient-centered approach in all communications and interactions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with medical faculty, research fellows, program managers, and potentially marketing teams.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture where constructive feedback is given and received to improve design outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices and creative solutions within the design and communications team.

• Adaptability: Willingness to adapt designs based on scientific accuracy, stakeholder input, and evolving project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values at Dana-Farber are deeply rooted in its mission. For a Junior Graphic Designer, this translates to understanding the sensitive nature of cancer research and patient care, ensuring all visuals are respectful, accurate, and aligned with the institution's compassionate approach. Collaboration will be with highly specialized individuals, so clear communication and a willingness to learn are vital.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Science: The primary challenge will be to visually interpret and communicate complex medical and scientific information in an accessible and engaging manner.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Managing input from multiple stakeholders (faculty, fellows, managers) with potentially diverse visions and priorities.

• Rapidly Evolving Content Needs: Supporting a dynamic research environment means adapting to new findings, trial updates, and communication demands quickly.

• Adhering to Brand & Compliance: Ensuring all designs meet Dana-Farber's brand standards and any relevant healthcare communication compliance requirements.

• Mastering New Software: Continuously learning and mastering new design techniques and software features, particularly in motion graphics.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Training: Opportunities to attend workshops or online courses focused on scientific illustration, medical graphics, or advanced motion design.

• Industry Conferences: Potential to attend relevant design or healthcare communication conferences.

• Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal mentorship from senior design and project management staff.

• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Learning about different aspects of cancer research and patient care through project work.

• Skill Expansion: Developing proficiency in video editing, animation, and data visualization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are significant for a motivated junior designer. The challenge of communicating complex science is an excellent opportunity to develop a highly sought-after specialized skill set. The institution's commitment to learning means that those eager to expand their technical and creative capabilities will find ample support.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate complex information into a visual format. What was your process?"

  • Preparation: Be ready to detail a specific project from your portfolio where you simplified data, scientific concepts, or technical information. Walk through your thought process, the tools you used, and the impact of your design.

• "How do you approach receiving constructive criticism on your designs, especially from subject matter experts?"

  • Preparation: Emphasize your ability to listen, understand feedback, and iterate professionally. Discuss how you distinguish between subjective preferences and essential factual or functional corrections.

• "Imagine you need to create a social media graphic for a new breast cancer research breakthrough. What are your initial steps?"

  • Preparation: Discuss understanding the core message, target audience, desired action, and key visual elements. Mention considering brand guidelines, accessibility, and the platform's best practices.

• "How do you stay updated on the latest graphic design trends and software advancements, particularly in motion graphics?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and this specific role?"

  • Preparation: Research Dana-Farber's mission, recent breakthroughs, and values. Connect your personal drive and skills to their work, emphasizing your desire to contribute to healthcare and research through design.

• "How do you envision collaborating with medical faculty and fellows who may not have a design background?"

  • Preparation: Focus on clear communication, active listening, patience, and the ability to explain design rationale in accessible terms. Highlight your project management skills in managing diverse stakeholder input.

• "Can you share an example of a project where you had to manage multiple deadlines or competing priorities?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your skills and interests, then present 3-5 key projects in detail. For each project:

  • Objective: What was the goal?
  • Your Role: What did you specifically do?
  • Process: How did you approach it? (Research, sketching, software used, feedback incorporated).
  • Solution: Show the final design and explain why it was effective.
  • Impact: What was the result or intended impact?

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out examples of your After Effects work, infographics, and any scientific/health-related projects.

• Be Concise & Engaging: Keep your explanations focused and enthusiastic. Be prepared for detailed questions about your technical choices and design rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will be a comprehensive assessment of both technical design skills and the ability to apply them within a specialized, mission-driven environment. Candidates must be prepared to articulate their process, demonstrate their software proficiency (especially After Effects), and show how their design work supports scientific communication and institutional goals.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this graphic design position:

• Submit your application through the Dana-Farber Careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your online portfolio or PDF submission to prominently feature projects demonstrating proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and, crucially, After Effects for animations and motion graphics. Ensure at least one project showcases your ability to simplify complex information visually, ideally within a scientific or healthcare context.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly highlight your 1-3 years of experience, emphasizing relevant skills such as typography, digital design, infographics, and any experience with web authoring or video editing tools. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed X brochures resulting in Y% increased engagement").

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, especially how you handle feedback and translate complex information. Prepare to present your portfolio and discuss your work in detail, focusing on the technical execution and strategic thinking behind each piece.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's mission, values, and recent work in breast oncology. Understand their commitment to research and patient care to better align your application and interview responses with their organizational goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions tailored to a graphic design role within a healthcare research institution. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.