Science Communications Officer LMS 2133 London, England
Job description
Work closely alongside the Head of Communication and Engagement and the Events and Engagement Manager to raise the profile of LMS across key audiences. This will involve writing news articles and press releases about LMS research, managing our social media presence and overseeing our website. You will also lead on our internal communications activity, coordinating internal newsletters and intranet.
Main duties:
- External communication: manage research-focused content for LMS website, oversee and curate content for associated social media channels; assess newsworthiness of research articles and liaise with MRC-UKRI and Imperial press offices accordingly to promote media coverage; create digital graphic and video about LMS research and activities; provide writing support for LMS marketing materials.
- Internal communication: develop and manage the LMS intranet; monthly LMS internal email newsletter, monthly LMS building transition newsletter and a weekly bulletin of upcoming events.
- Public engagement: provide creative input and administrative support for public engagement and educational outreach projects.
Key responsibilities:
- Write articles about the Institute’s latest research, awards and events news
- Write articles for Biomedical Picture of the Day (BPoD)
- Design engaging graphics and imagery for use on digital and print media
- Provide writing support for the Institute’s annual and ad-hoc marketing materials
- Help to convey complex scientific concepts to the Institute’s key audiences
- Identify newsworthy events through attending regular LMS seminars, meetings of postdocs/PhDs, and networking internally
- Work closely with the Head of Communication and Engagement to develop and maintain relations with the MRC-UKRI and Imperial College London communications teams and influential journalists
- Responsible for keeping digital communications up to date by managing content of LMS website and social media channels, collating information from group heads
- Manage the Institute intranet, leading on a content audit and re-design
- Support public engagement events with creative input, providing administrative and logistical support
- Mentor and support team members
Working relationships:
- Reports to the Events and Engagement Manager
- Works closely with the Head of Communication and Engagement
- Supports the Institute Director and Group Heads in external and internal communications, through editorial and design work
- Chiefly responsible for the Institute’s digital communications (website, intranet and social media channels) and will play a key role in the future direction of the Suffrage Science and BPoD websites
Additional information:
This post is fixed-term for 6 months. Please note that this post is full time onsite.
Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from application form):
Essential:
- Degree in science-related subject or equivalent
Desirable:
- Postgraduate qualification in science communication
Previous work experience required (will be assessed from application form and at interview):
Essential:
- Experience in science communication, web and social media management
- Experience of delivering work within timelines
Desirable:
- Experience of managing projects
- Experience of working with academics and researchers
- Experience working with journalists and the media
Knowledge and experience (will be assessed from application form and at interview):
Essential:
- Interest in science communication and insight into the way the media works
IT skills
Essential:
- Proficiency in all aspects of MS Office software
- Proficient in a range of software packages to prepare and produce documents
- Digital content production
- Web-editing experience
Desirable:
- Basic competence in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
- Experience of video editing
Personal skills/behaviours/qualities (will be assessed at interview):
Essential:
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to prioritise workload and meet agreed deadlines
- Ability to manage multiple short- and long-term projects
- Ability to work under pressure to short deadlines
- Detail conscious and very well organised
- Ability to build effective relationships quickly and inspire trust
Desirable:
- Ability to work collaboratively and engage with stakeholders and management, seeking input and feedback
Communication skills
Essential:
- Excellent written communication skills in English
- Ability to communicate complex information effectively
- Ability to identify and translate interesting stories from research findings
Desirable:
Experience of designing and producing print and/or web publications
Administrative skills
Desirable:
- Proven administrative experience.
Event management
Desirable:
- Experience in organising science-based events and outreach projects.
For full details of this post and to complete an online application upload your CV, names and contacts of two references along with a covering letter stating why you are applying for this role (providing evidence against the requirements of the job as per the job description and person specification). Please quote reference number LMS 2133
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a task ahead of the interview.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UKRI) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the MRC and UKRI on your CV in the future.
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.
We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
