Science & Research Editor Job at Northwestern University in Evanston

Department: Global Marketing/Communication
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary:

The primary focus of the Office of Global Marketing and Communications (OGMC) is communicating Northwestern's academic agenda to internal and external audiences, strengthening the University's identity and improving its reputation amongst our peers, potential students, our campus community and the public.

The Science and Research Editor is responsible for promoting the research of Northwestern University physical scientists and innovators to national, global and local media and to procure coverage in top news outlets. Working closely with the Senior Science and Engineering Editor, the Managing Editor for Media Relations and the Director of Media Relations within OGMC, this versatile writer/editor will pitch individual reporters on groundbreaking new research and write press releases to promote important studies that will be published in peer-reviewed journals, as well as breakthrough research at the University's Research Institutes and Centers (URICS). This editor also will develop stories about research trends at Northwestern, including research by teams across schools that uniquely position the University as a leader in research and innovation. The ability to translate complicated research into accessible language is essential to the position.

In addition, the writer/editor will write media advisories to promote Northwestern faculty experts who can comment on breaking news related to the science and research beat. This role requires the ability to communicate effectively with some of the world's top researchers and stay on top of relevant science and technology news. In addition, this person must have a strong understanding of the newsgathering process and experience working with reporters on deadline.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Serving as one of two primary media contacts for the physical sciences in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, the McCormick School of Engineering and collaborative science research across Northwestern's schools.
• Developing relationships with science and technology reporters and knowing their particular interests and beats. Learning the media landscape to know which outlets (print/broadcast/digital) are important to the science and engineering beat.
• Proactively contacting reporters and pitching media outlets across local, national and global media landscapes, including tier-one media outlets.
• Matching faculty with breaking news stories to place faculty as expert commentators in the media; connecting reporters with faculty expert sources for stories.
• Working with scientists and researchers to translate complicated research into lay language to make it accessible to reporters and the public.
• Ongoing and frequent outreach to physical science, engineering and research faculty to learn about upcoming research to be published.
• Writing and sending press releases (under embargo, when possible) and media advisories about key research and other news and events from the science beat. Writing should be clear and concise, engaging readers with strong headlines and ledes. Associated Press style and house style are used.
• Using and maintaining a database (Cision) of media contacts and lists for press release distribution.
• Working collaboratively with fellow editors in media relations within OGMC.
• Partnering with communications team members at the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, the McCormick School of Engineering and other schools as appropriate.
• Working collaboratively with communications team members at the Office for Research as well as Northwestern research centers and institutes related to the science and research beat, such as the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics and the International Institute for Nanotechnology, among others.
• Posting press releases and media advisories on OGMC's internal news channels, including the "Northwestern Now" and "For Journalists" websites. Creating press kits, including multimedia, for releases posted on the "For Journalists" website.
• Participating in media training of faculty, as needed.
• Coordinating and staffing onsite broadcast shoots between science and research faculty and media, when necessary.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of five years of applicable experience in journalism, media relations or marketing/communications roles.
• Undergraduate degree in journalism, public relations or a related field or equivalent experience, preferred but not required.
• Experience writing about science, engineering or technology preferred, but not required.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• The ability to communicate effectively with some of the world's top scientists and engineers and to stay on top of relevant local, national and global news.
• A strong understanding of the newsgathering process and experience working with reporters on deadline.
• Strong writing/editing, pitching and storytelling skills.
• Extensive knowledge of print, broadcast, digital and social media.
• Excellent news judgement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills to manage and coordinate information from a diverse group of people within and outside of the University.
• Experience editing and pitching opinion pieces to local and national media.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Candidates for this position should be prepared to work after hours and on weekends as necessary to attend and cover events, complete assignments and meet deadlines.