Junior Designer

About SPUN

SPUN's mission is to map and protect the mycorrhizal fungal networks that regulate Earth's climate and ecosystems. These fungi draw down approximately
13 billion tons of CO2 annually (about one-third of global energy-related emissions) through extensive underground networks. We are developing tools that leverage fungi to preserve biodiversity and mitigate climate change. Our approach integrates remote sensing, AI, robotics, and collaborations with global researchers and local communities across some of the most remote and hard-to-access ecosystems on Earth. We use our findings to educate individuals, companies, landowners, and governments on the importance of protecting and managing underground ecosystems. Our aim is to accelerate efforts to protect the underground ecosystems that have been largely absent from global restoration projects and conservation and climate agendas.

Why SPUN?

Work at the forefront of fungal science. We invite you to join SPUN's team of scientists who are dedicated to finding innovative solutions to protect our planet. SPUN prides itself on developing new techniques and pushing the frontiers of fungal biology from the micro-level to the global scale. We have been cited in the world's leading press and scientific journals for our groundbreaking work.

Develop partnerships with other leading institutes around the world. Applications of cutting edge research are limited without deep and collaborative partnerships. SPUN works hard to build partnerships with leading institutes in conservation, climate, and community-led action to build collective impact within our fields. We are looking to build a team of innovative, creative, and impact-driven myconauts who want to help bring our core science to the next level.

Contribute to decolonizing science. We aim to lead by example in promoting diversity and decolonial science. We are actively working to address biases in mycorrhizal science and endeavor to center the wellbeing of most affected people and areas in our research. In this regard, we prioritize under-researched areas and collaborators in the Global South for our work, while providing capacity-building grants and partnership opportunities with local researchers. We are also actively working with Indigenous communities in Chile and Ecuador, and will continue to expand our partnerships with other Indigenous communities, to integrate non-western Science ways of knowing into our work.

Work with a global team. SPUN’s team members operate from various locations worldwide, embracing remote work for flexibility and work-life balance. Our team’s global presence aligns with our research expeditions, which have taken us to remote ecoregions in Tierra del Fuego, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Corsica, the Atacama, and the Galapagos Islands.

About the Role

We’re looking for a creative and motivated designer to join SPUN’s communications team on a freelance basis. This role is your chance to help shape and grow SPUN’s visual identity as we scale our brand to the next level. You’ll collaborate closely with our Design Lead on graphic and web design projects that bring SPUN’s mission and science to life. From refining our brand aesthetic to developing design guidelines and systems for use across the organization, your work will help make our global impact both seen and felt.

What You’ll Be Part Of

At SPUN, we’re mapping the world beneath our feet — revealing the hidden fungal networks that sustain life on Earth. As a Junior Designer, you’ll join a bold, science-driven movement that’s reshaping how the world understands and protects ecosystems from the ground up.

This is a unique opportunity to help shape SPUN’s visual storytelling as we enter an exciting new phase of growth. You’ll work closely with our design and communications team to bring scientific stories to life through thoughtful, creative design. We’re an impact-driven nonprofit with a collaborative and curious team, and we have hundreds of gigabytes of stunning photography and video assets from our scientists in the field around the world. SPUN’s work has been featured in The Guardian, The New York Times, The Atlantic, and more.

We work across continents and disciplines, connecting scientists, storytellers, technologists, and local communities to advance mycorrhizal research and conservation. Every project you contribute to helps build a global picture of underground biodiversity and drives tangible action toward planetary resilience.

SPUN is a fast-moving, creative, and deeply mission-oriented organization. We value curiosity, design craft, and a sense of wonder for the living networks that connect us all — and we’re looking for a designer who shares that spirit.

About You

• You have 1+ year of experience in brand and communications design, or you’re a recent grad with equivalent, relevant experience.
• You’re a freelancer open to dedicating up to 20 hours per week to SPUN projects.
• You enjoy working in Figma (or are eager to learn), and you might even have experience with Design Systems or Libraries.
• You’re comfortable designing presentations on tight timelines, including in Figma Slides.
• You understand page layout for print and interactive PDFs, and you’re proficient in InDesign, using tools like master pages and character/paragraph styles.
• You’ve contributed to brand guideline documentation and know how to help non-designers use brand templates effectively.
• You don’t mind creating presentation slides and proposal documents—mostly in Google Docs or Keynote, though occasionally Word or PowerPoint.
• You’re familiar with creating social media assets, including both stills and short-form video content.
• You’re comfortable collaborating with teammates across multiple time zones (EST, PST, and CET).
• You can manage your own workflow, stay organized, and meet deadlines independently.
  
  

Bonus Points

• You have illustration skills and can create or refine scientific diagrams in Adobe Illustrator.
• You’ve built or maintained sites in Webflow — double points if you’re familiar with Client-First or Relume frameworks.
• You’re comfortable using Notion to collaborate and share design assets or templates across a team.
• You have experience with motion graphics or data visualization, and enjoy bringing stories to life through movement and visuals.
  
  

Position Details

• Type: Freelance / Part-time contractor role (no benefits) (with potential for full-time employment after initial contract period)
• Hours: 20–40 hours per week, depending on project needs
• Compensation: $25–$60 per hour, commensurate with experience and skill level
• Location: Remote (bonus points if you’re based in Michigan!)
• Initial contract: 3-6 months to start, with potential to extend based on impact and funding.
  
  

To apply:

Please complete the application form in BambooHR. You will be asked to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references.

Please note: we will notify you before contacting any references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

We encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups to apply.

At SPUN, we embrace diversity as a fundamental pillar of our mission to protect underground ecosystems. Our commitment to decolonizing science is dependent on the diversity of knowledge and experience on our team and among our partners across the globe. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or background, feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We highly encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented or repressed groups, including but not limited to women, LGBTQIA, individuals from the Global South, and individuals with Indigenous heritage, to apply to join our team at SPUN.

To learn more about our company and culture, please visit our website
www.spun.earth