Senior Research Communications Officer

30 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

KINGS COLLEGE LONDON

Research Field

Other

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

United Kingdom

Application Deadline

29 Feb 2024 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and expanding team in the new virtual UK MND Research Institute (UK MND RI) hosted by King’s College London, with a bold strategy to make a difference to patients’ lives by transforming translational research in motor neuron disease (MND) in the UK.  

The UK MND RI collaborative partnership recently launched an ambitious strategy to accelerate the search for a cure for MND by targeted co-funding from government, charities and industry. The first phase is a £4.25 million programme of work involving 6 partner universities across the UK, which will be expanded over the next 5 years to include other universities, hospitals, hospices and other research partners, aiming to leverage £50 million of targeted government funding for MND research. This position will provide high-level communications support to best promote the Institute to internal and external audiences. 

This role sits within the Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience at King’s College London but will have responsibility for developing and delivering the Institute’s day-to-day and longer-term communications, with the post holder acting as a key interface between the Institute and internal and external audiences. The role would suit someone who enjoys writing, is proactive, has excellent communications skills, and is able to engage with a range of audiences on complex topics. 

The role will provide the individual with experience of managing communications across a large and complex partnership and would suit someone interested in pursuing a career in communications. The post holder will report into the institute’s Senior Research Manager and Co-Directors. This post is offered on a fixed term basis in line with the institute’s current funding plan. There will be a possibility to extend this post in line with future funding.  

About us: 

The aim of the UK MND RI is to accelerate the search for a cure for this life-limiting illness by harnessing the power of everyone involved: the people living with MND, clinicians, scientists, charities, industry and government, all working together to make the vision a reality. You can find out more about us at https://ukmndri.org or @UKMNDRI .

This post will be offered on a full-time, fixed term contract for 18 months.

Key responsibilities

Internal

• Provide high-level communications support to the Senior Research Manager and wider Institute collaborative partnership.
• Develop and deliver the Institute’s communications plan via appropriate fora (newsletters, campaigns, events, SharePoint, website, digital media) in collaboration with the wider partnership’s Communications Teams.
• Manage Institute’s webpages and monitor partners’ webpages.
• Ensure effective two-way dissemination of the Institute’s messaging on areas of strategic importance, acting as a key triage role between the collaborative partnership.
• Work closely with the MND Community to establish comprehensive MND research mailing lists.
• Source and collate relevant information for publication in academic newsletters
• Support the development of a strong Institute identity to promote sense of belonging and deliver on Institute communications plan.
• Provide communications and project management support for Institute initiatives.

External

• Act as a key interface between the institute and wider MND Community on identifying, drafting, and promoting research, institute successes, campaigns, newsletters, and content via media, social media, blogs, videos, X, LinkedIn, and other content in collaboration with the partnership’s Communications Teams.
• Ensure effective reputation management support is in place through integrating into day-to-day activities and advising the Institute on appropriate responses, escalating as required.
• Lead on Institute events from conception to review, managing relevant budgets and providing advice and guidance on event best practice.
• Manage and monitor the Institute’s external facing webpages, social media (X, LinkedIn, website) and other online fora and content to best promote the work of the Institute to external audiences.

General duties

• Keep up to date with relevant training, policies, and processes.
• Stay informed about MND research.Identify, implement, and continuously review processes to ensure delivery of responsibilities.
• Support and minute relevant Institute committees as required.
• Actively contribute to relevant Institute committees, meetings and networks as required.
• Establish strong working relationships across the Institute and wider partnership Communications Teams, Corporate Communications and external partners.
• Facilitate an inclusive culture and ethos working across the Institute and MND community.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

1.       Significant knowledge and skills of communications acquired through relevant posts, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding work/roles, and the acquisition of appropriate professional or specialist knowledge.

2.       Experience communicating scientific content.

3.       Have a background in biomedical of health related sciences.

4.       Highly proficient IT skills (including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, social media and web design e.g. WordPress) and experience of utilizing advanced digital technology in day-to-day work.

5.       Solutions focused self-starter with experience of identifying communications opportunities and devising and delivering projects with multiple stakeholders, adhering to timelines, and ensuring they are delivered against.

6.       Proven strong communication and interpersonal skills in order to receive, understand and relay specialist or professional ideas or information to various groups.

7.       Effective at working independently, and as part of a team, able to take own initiative and decisions with a proactive approach to complex problem solving.

8.       Excellent task management skills and ability to work under pressure in a busy environment with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

9.       Committed to principles of culture, equality, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable criteria

1.   Experience of writing scientific content for a lay audience.

2.   An understanding of clinical health sector and ability to work with individuals with lived experience.

3.   Experience of developing and delivering a communications plans, applying a broad range of communications methods across traditional and social media, events, web, design and print.

This post is subject to an Occupational Health Clearance.

Requirements
Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

KINGS COLLEGE LONDON

Country

United Kingdom

City

London (Greater) (GB)

Where to apply

Website

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/unijobs/listing/364204/senior-research-com…

Contact

City

London (Greater) (GB)

STATUS: EXPIRED