Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned educational institutions with nearly $580 million in annual research expenditures. With cutting-edge brain science, driverless cars, big data, big ambitions, Nobel and Turing prizes and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, it creates it.
CMU’s University Communications and Marketing (UCM) division is seeking a research communications specialist to join our research communications team. In close collaboration with the UCM team and with communications staff across the university’s colleges, schools, departments and libraries, the research communications specialist will capture and articulate the research stories that bring alive this remarkable institution. Reporting to the senior director for research communications, the research communications specialist will tease out the contributions from across the university to tell a powerful integrated story about the CMU research enterprise.
Core responsibilities include:
- Identify pertinent science topics, interview sources and collect information to compose compelling articles, profiles and news releases highlighting research outcomes
- Extract information from presentations, papers and research reports and identify what is newsworthy and interesting
- Translate/edit scientific language and jargon into accessible and compelling language for diverse audiences
- Develop and implement external communications strategies for research: pitching stories to journalists, building relationships with relevant media contacts and coordinating interviews with researchers to ensure accurate and impactful coverage
- Cultivate relationships with research faculty and other key stakeholders, including science and technology media
- Conduct fact checking and consultation to ensure accuracy and integrity of content
- Work with research communications leadership to develop and implement strategic communications plans
- Coordinate with content and creative team members to gather multimedia, photo or video assets to add to stories to increase engagement
- Develop content for confidential, sensitive or embargoed events with prudence, discretion and appropriate caution
- Contribute to copy writing, fact-checking and proofing for marketing and communications collateral, talking points, scripts and other communications materials as needed
Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.
You should demonstrate:
- Excellent writing, editing and fact-checking skills with an ability to develop compelling, concise and clear material within tight deadlines and in line with institutional and brand objectives
- Demonstrated ability to make complex material easily digestible to a variety of audiences or for specialized, target audiences
- Experience interviewing diverse subjects for stories, background information or fact-checking
- Experience balancing multiple projects simultaneously and aligning with colleagues on priorities; ability to manage multiple, sometimes competing deadlines
- Ability to work after hours and on weekends when appropriate
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, English, marketing or related field in the sciences that prepares the individual to communicate effectively with diverse audiences
- Minimum five years experience working in journalism, public relations, publishing, multimedia or communications field, with a preference for a background in science, research and/or technology writing
- A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered
Requirements:
- Successful pre-employment background check