Outreach Coordinator

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

Caltech/IPAC’s Communication and Education (ICE) team is seeking an Outreach Coordinator to join us for a 3-month full-time term appointment.

You will be part of a small team that is defining and piloting a Center for Science Engagement (CSE) at Caltech / IPAC. Your contributions will help update, extend, and develop the infrastructure for a “scientist launchpad” in community engagement, education, outreach and communication, and the framework for a community of practice among science engagement professionals.

Your work will both help enhance the effectiveness of ICE teamwork, benefit the multitude of science projects ICE supports, and help create a framework that is scalable to the growing efforts nationwide in science engagement.

This position is ideal for a candidate with experience in science engagement and is active in science research.

IPAC, part of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy Division at Caltech (www.caltech.edu ), provides science operations, user support, data and archive services, and scientific vision to maximize discovery with observatories both in space and on the ground.

ICE: our team provides strategic planning, development and programming in public outreach, formal and informal education programs, science visualization, graphic design, media relations, strategic and crisis communications, video, animation, website, and applications development, planning and execution of STEM workforce pipeline development and more. 

Who do we work with? Our partners and collaborators include other Workforce, Education, Public Outreach and Communications (WEPOC) specialists and teams, as well as a broad range of the science community including individual researchers, science collaborations, science projects, missions, and centers. Our work includes people and projects both within IPAC, but also NASA and NSF projects, NASA centers including JPL and GSFC, Caltech, as well as public and private institutions across the U.S. and internationally.

Essential Job Duties

This is an in-person, full-time, three-month term appointment at Caltech / IPAC within the ICE team. You will bring to the team the ability to communicate effectively, work and develop networks, and represent both the needs and goals of scientists and science engagement professionals.

The deliverables of this work will include a framework for the CSE, and a plan for a 1 yr. pilot of the program.

Basic Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in Astronomy, Physics, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience post-PhD as a research scientist in astronomy.
• Experience working with a distributed team.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Beyond these basic qualifications, there are a set of skills and experiences which will add to your ability to contribute:

• Practical (volunteer or professional) experience in education, outreach and/or public communications.
• Experience mentoring students or postdocs.
• Strong teamwork, collaboration, verbal, and written communication, along with demonstrated creativity and problem-solving capabilities.
• A passion for science communication, community engagement.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

People choose to work at IPAC for many reasons, and the casual, employee-centric culture often leads to fulfilling, long-term careers and positive relationships. Caltech’s benefits program offers a quality, competitive benefits package that is affordable for you and the Institute. We also offer a 403(b) defined contribution plan to eligible staff as well as a Voluntary Retirement Savings (TDA) Plan. IPAC staff have access to the Institute’s facilities, including the athletic center, libraries, on-site daycare, professional development and enrichment classes, and Athenaeum club membership.