What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Communications Specialist position at University of New Hampshire?
Under the general supervision of the associate dean and director of the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station (NHAES) and the community engagement director for the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture (COLSA), the Research Communications Specialist will support the research, teaching and outreach communications missions of the station and college. The Specialist will help lead these efforts through content production for storytelling across a variety of content types, including but not limited to articles, social media posts, news releases, directed emails, sound bites, photography, social media quality video, and basic graphic design.
This includes managing and/or gathering information about recently completed and ongoing research using the NHAES published manuscript database; NHAES annual progress and final project reports; annual COLSA faculty publication and works-in-progress reports; direct interactions with scientists, staff, post-doctoral scholars, graduate and undergraduate students, and the public, and other methods that may be useful. This will include developing and producing issues of Inspired, the biannual research print publication of the NHAES and periodic contributions to THRIVE, the COLSA's biannual print publication.
The individual would lead the development and execution of a strategic media plan for the NHAES and assist in the development and implementation of the strategic media plan that supports and advances the college's research, teaching and outreach visibility, with a focus on elevating the research, teaching and outreach of the NHAES and college. This includes partnering with the University's office of Communications and Public Affairs and UNH Cooperative Extension, pitching stories and regularly interacting with local and national reporters, collaborating with relevant state and federal government agencies and developing informational content that is pertinent to these groups, among others. The individual will also contribute to the strategic growth and development of the NHAES statewide outreach presence. This would include the management of research field days at UNH farm facilities, organization of research communication events around the state and via virtual forums, trade show participation, and other in-person or virtual events that strengthen the NHAES research outreach mission across diverse communities in New Hampshire. Through their efforts, the Specialist will play a critical role in strengthening the impacts of research and connections among UNH scientists and programs with state and regional communities.
Qualifications
EEO Statement
The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.
Location:
Durham
This includes managing and/or gathering information about recently completed and ongoing research using the NHAES published manuscript database; NHAES annual progress and final project reports; annual COLSA faculty publication and works-in-progress reports; direct interactions with scientists, staff, post-doctoral scholars, graduate and undergraduate students, and the public, and other methods that may be useful. This will include developing and producing issues of Inspired, the biannual research print publication of the NHAES and periodic contributions to THRIVE, the COLSA's biannual print publication.
The individual would lead the development and execution of a strategic media plan for the NHAES and assist in the development and implementation of the strategic media plan that supports and advances the college's research, teaching and outreach visibility, with a focus on elevating the research, teaching and outreach of the NHAES and college. This includes partnering with the University's office of Communications and Public Affairs and UNH Cooperative Extension, pitching stories and regularly interacting with local and national reporters, collaborating with relevant state and federal government agencies and developing informational content that is pertinent to these groups, among others. The individual will also contribute to the strategic growth and development of the NHAES statewide outreach presence. This would include the management of research field days at UNH farm facilities, organization of research communication events around the state and via virtual forums, trade show participation, and other in-person or virtual events that strengthen the NHAES research outreach mission across diverse communities in New Hampshire. Through their efforts, the Specialist will play a critical role in strengthening the impacts of research and connections among UNH scientists and programs with state and regional communities.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications or news media.
- Three years of directly related experience (science writing, social media, web or other content categories).
- Effective writing skills with attention to audience, tone and nuance.
- Demonstrated experience with social media.
- Up-to-date knowledge on current trends within scientific communication and higher education.
- Effective interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge of agricultural, natural resource, and environmental science fields. Knowledge of the State Agricultural Experiment Station and land-grant university systems.
- Experience with updating a Drupal website and with design tools such as InDesign, Photoshop and Canva, and video editing software.
- Knowledge of higher education and new/emerging trends in communication.
- Cover Letter
- Resume/CV
- Contact information for three (3) professional references
- (Optional) Portfolio of previous project
EEO Statement
The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.
Location:
Durham
