Science Writer

Unleash YOUR Potential With Us

As a next-generation public research institute and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to shape the future and solve the world’s most challenging problems. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role in pushing us forward to become among the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with uniquely talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses and regional locations. That means greater challenges to tackle, more meaningful opportunities to grow, and rewarding experiences that go beyond a paycheck. We’re seeking qualified, motivated individuals who will help UCF fulfill its mission in unleashing the potential of every individual, enriching the human experience through inclusion, discovery, and innovation; and propelling broad-based prosperity for the many communities we serve.

The Opportunity:

The Science Writer will be the lead science content creator for UCF’s Office of Research, working closely with leadership and collaborating with scientists across the university. This individual will be responsible for developing and distributing content, including press releases, fact sheets, and web content. The ideal candidate will be a savvy storyteller, with proven experience creating high-quality pieces translating science for multiple audiences. Working with writers from across the university, the candidate will coordinate and manage UCF’s science storytelling through press releases and other materials to elevate the university’s local and national reputation as a leading 21st-century metropolitan research institution.

Responsibilities:

• Identify and curate science storytelling opportunities that align with UCF's strategic goals for research, innovation, and entrepreneurism.

• Manage content for publications and collateral, including drafting, editing, and working with stakeholders to finalize content for newsletters, annual reports, fact sheets, press and pitches to media.

• Work with internal and external stakeholders, as needed, for press releases related to scientific publications, product and resource announcements, and other scientific new items.

• Collaborate with colleagues on storytelling across multiple media, including identifying video and social media content.

• Serve as an expert resource on matters pertaining to science and scientific methods of research at UCF.

• Work with the director for communications at the Office of Research to elevate research stories through national media and institutional campaigns and align efforts with institutional strategic goals.

• Help coordinate, plan, and execute a monthly newsletter. Content for each newsletter will be generated by science writer, college partners, and others geared toward specific audiences that include internal research faculty, peer institutions and commercialization, and business leaders.

• Maintain regular contracts with internal and external key sources to identify storytelling themes and newsworthy event and lead media relations in mainstream media and scientific publications.

• Work with colleagues to develop content about graduate students working on scientific research or scholarship.

• Work with communications director to produce a year-end publication about UCF research activities.

• Work with confidential data and information.

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 0+ years of relevant experience. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in higher education communications and public relations.

• Established connections with media and science communicators.

• Good eye for graphic design and basic graphic design skills (novice to advanced skills).

• Skilled in photo editing in Photoshop (novice to advanced) and basic understanding of other Adobe products in the Creative Cloud.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

This is a Contract and Grant (C&G) funded position. Employment is subject to availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted.

Hybrid work schedule within the state of Florida may be considered based upon specific circumstances and candidate qualifications.

If you are selected as the final candidate for an employment opportunity here at UCF, both your position and salary will be significantly based upon the information that you have provided in your application for employment. We urge you to please take the time to complete the application in its entirety.

Classification Title: Communications Specialist I

Are Benefits Important to You?

Working at UCF has its perks! In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program

• Paid time off, including annual and sick leave and paid holidays

• Retirement savings options

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions

• Education assistance

• Flexible work environment

• And more…For more benefits information, go to the UCF Employee Benefits page click here .

Who Are We?

Founded in 1963 to fuel the region’s talent pipeline and support the growing U.S. space program, UCF is built to make a better future for our students and society. It’s one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the nation’s top 20 most innovative colleges, while Forbes, Kiplinger, and The Princeton Review rank us a best-value university. UCF is one of 14 universities nationwide designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Research 1 university. With 13 colleges, including a fully accredited College of Medicine, UCF offers more than 220-degree programs between its main campus, downtown campus, hospitality campus, academic health sciences campus, and 11 UCF Connect centers located throughout the region. In addition, UCF extends its reach to communities in and beyond Central Florida by offering complete, online programs leading to bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, Ph.D.'s., certificates, and more.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

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Department

Office of Research - Operations

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday; 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Type of Appointment

Regular

Expected Salary

$42,367.00 to Negotiable

Job Posting End Date

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

As an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, UCF encourages all qualified applicants to apply, including women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of traditionally underrepresented populations. UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement can be viewed at  http://www.oie.ucf.edu/documents/PresidentsStatement.pdf.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.