Company Profile

Company Description:

Strategic Relations and Communications is now accepting applications for a Science Writer/Media Relations Professional. Key elements of the position include: breaking down complex research into engaging content that anyone can understand; attracting positive attention from the media and key constituents in Colorado and nationwide for innovative research through strong storytelling and proactive pitching; leveraging faculty expertise by working with journalists seeking experts on hot topics; collaborating and working with videographers, photographers, audio producer and other members of the Strategic Relations team to create and share high quality multimedia story assets; and serving as the main point of contact for news on space, science and technology.

Who we are:
Strategic Relations and Communications creates the strategies, messages and tools to align CU Boulder’s communications, engage with and influence its audiences and advance its reputation and mission.

What your key responsibilities will be:
Content Creation

• Identify stories of wide public interest for news packaging by meeting with campus scientists to discuss latest research efforts, and reading national science periodicals, magazines and academic papers to keep abreast of the latest national research trends and advances, particularly in space and aerospace.
• Develop and nurture relationships with journalists covering core topic areas.
• Write news releases and CU Boulder Today stories and pitch them to local, state, national and international media.
• Shoot, gather or assign images, video and audio, and package stories as appropriate for the website, news media and social media.
• Share media results and metrics for each package with researchers.
• Examples of coverage areas include: aerospace, physics, drones, anthropology, planetary sciences, geological sciences, computer science and mechanical engineering.

Stay Up to Date

• Follow trends in the media and pitch related stories to local and national media.
• Write and disseminate expert tip sheets through social media and other media relations platforms.
• Respond promptly to all media requests.
• Update journalist resources and multimedia assets on CU Boulder Today website and on media monitoring tool.

Act as a Campus Resource

• Assist other university departments and business units that need a writer with scientific research-writing expertise. This could include projects for Marketing and Creative Services, Research & Innovation, Alumni Relations, Government Relations, or other units that need research content of strategic value.

University Emergency Communications

• Stay up-to-date on university emergency communications procedures and serve as a member of the emergency response team as needed. (Requires after-hours staff duties as needed).

What we can offer:
We can offer a competitive salary, commensurate with experience. The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass.  The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment.  Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.
 

Be curious. Be informed. Be ambitious. Be Boulder.
 

What we require:

• Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelor's or master's degree.
• Three years of professional science-related experience in journalism, communications or mass communications.
• Familiarity with AP style.

What we’d like you to have:

• Five years of professional science-related experience in journalism, communications, or mass communications.
• Experience writing or editing for a magazine or newspaper.
• Experience in higher education creating research- or science-related content.
• Experience in any of the following: PhotoShop; InDesign (or similar); Final Cut Pro (or similar); Drupal (or similar); audio editing software; and data visualization.
• Experience in issues management and emergency communications.

Preferred qualifications may be used to further reduce the pool of applicants to those who are most highly qualified.

 
 
Special Instructions to Applicants: Please apply by January 12, 2018.

If you have technical difficulties submitting application information, please contact the CU Careers help desk at cucareershelp@cu.edu. All other job related inquiries should be directed to the posting contact for this posting.

 

Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV Application Materials Instructions: To apply, please submit the following materials to this posting at www.cu.edu/cu-careers:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications. 3. Three writing samples (either attached as a PDF or web links; must include at least one science writing sample).
 

Please combine materials into one document and upload as titled: Last-First-12097.
Please do not upload references at this time.