3D Information Designer

About Us

The Welfare Footprint Institute develops scientifically rigorous methods and tools to quantify animal welfare. Our core contribution is the Welfare Footprint Framework (WFF). We apply the framework in research programmes on aquatic animals, pigs, poultry, cattle, shrimp and other species, and we work on the theoretical and statistical foundations that underpin it. This research base feeds the tools we build around it: the Welfare Footprint Atlas and Knowledge Graph, AI-assisted workflows, and decision-support products for researchers, industry and policy. Our work sits at the intersection of animal welfare science, pain and affective neuroscience, ethology, veterinary medicine and quantitative methods.

What the Role Is

We are seeking a 3D Information Designer to build interactive 3D representations of animals in which biological consequences can be visualized in the body — including internal organs — and the resulting affective states can be visualized in the relevant parts of the brain, as far as current science allows.

The aim is a tool that a broad range of users can explore: including the general public, in a game-like way, to understand animals’ problems, learn from them, and consult deeper information by interacting with 3D elements. In the same way that Processograms are a gateway into Module I, this work is intended as a gateway into Module II — in a more sophisticated form that takes advantage of current AI resources and the skills of the professional.

This is not a traditional graphic design role. You will combine strong visual taste with technical fluency: understanding the scientific and structural logic behind a visualization, building it to a high standard, and using AI tools and code to make production faster and more reproducible.

You will work closely with the Executive Director, who will guide the scientific content and review your work.

This is an independent contractor engagement of approximately 6–8 weeks of part-time work, with the possibility of extending into a longer-term collaboration. The position is fully remote and open to candidates anywhere in the world. The rate is USD 60–75 per hour, depending on experience.

If the collaboration goes well, the role may extend beyond this Module II gateway into other parts of the Welfare Footprint tools — including improving Processograms, richer human interfaces, animation, VR and other immersive formats, and related data visualization and graphics.

Core Responsibilities

• Design and build interactive 3D animal models in which biological conditions and consequences are shown in the body, including internal organs

• Visualize affective states in the relevant brain regions, within the limits of available scientific evidence

• Make the experience usable for a broad audience, including public, game-like exploration and deeper information on interaction

• Treat the product as a gateway into Module II information (parallel to how Processograms serve Module I)

• Use AI models, agents and code to make production more systematic and reproducible

• Incorporate detailed scientific feedback carefully and promptly

Qualifications

• A strong portfolio demonstrating excellent visual taste and information design.

• Experience with 3D modeling and animation.

• Practical fluency with AI models and agents, including directing them and integrating them into a creative workflow.

• Comfort working with code (e.g., JavaScript, Python or similar).

• The ability to understand the logic behind complex information and translate it into clear, accurate visuals.

• Clear written and spoken English.

• The ability to work independently, manage your own time and deliver agreed work reliably.

• Comfortable with feedback and enjoy refining your work through review.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with interactive or web-based visualization (e.g., WebGL, Three.js, D3).

• Experience with Blender, XR or other immersive media.

• Built reproducible design workflows or AI-assisted production pipelines.

• Experience in scientific visualization or science communication.

• Interest in animal welfare.

This Role May Not Be a Good Fit if

• You prefer to work only from detailed visual specifications rather than understanding the logic behind them.

• You are not comfortable using AI tools and code as a core part of your creative process.

Selection Process

The selection process includes a portfolio review, a short screening call, and a paid practical exercise of approximately two hours paid at USD 150 for shortlisted candidates, followed by a final interview with the Executive Director.

Please include a portfolio with your application, highlighting any work in 3D, animation, interactive visualization or AI-assisted design.

To guarantee that your application receives full consideration, please apply by December 7th (11:59 PM US Eastern time).