Communications Officer, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), 50%

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, MIMS, is the Swedish node for the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine. Our mission is to promote research excellence in infection medicine and to foster the careers of the next generation of researchers in this field. Through our partnership with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and a strong network of Nordic partners, we connect Swedish science to an expanding family of European research centres for molecular medicine.

More information about MIMS can be found on our website: www.umu.se/en/mims

We are seeking a Communications Officer for a position with a duration of up to 12 months in the first instance, with a 50% employment commitment.  Start as soon as possible or by agreement. The position is located at the Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University.

The main task will be to inform about MIMS activities with a focus on science communication. Target groups are local and international researchers, students and the general public as well as our national and international partners.  

You will work on different aspects of science communication in close collaboration with MIMS researchers. You will also take responsibility for content creation, design, maintenance, analysis and follow-up of the MIMS website and our other digital communication channels (e.g. social media and newsletter). Other tasks include contributing to the documentation and reporting on research outcomes and events. The position also involves designing print and digital material, e.g. for our annual report, brochures, advertisements, posters, etc. You will interact independently with communicators of our local, national and international collaborators. 

You assist the MIMS management and related institutions and work units with advice and support on communication issues. You will work as part of a team led by the science manager and currently including a project coordinator and an event coordinator. The work involves continuous and strategic development of communication for the benefit of the institute. The position also includes participation in the daily administrative work with responsibility for both internal and external communication with our members and partners. This is an independent assignment with great variation in tasks and good opportunities to influence and develop. The tasks may change over time.

We are looking for a candidate with a master’s degree in the life sciences. To fulfill this role effectively, you must have documented experience of scientific writing in the form of research articles and/or popular science articles. To fulfill this role effectively, you must have documented experience of web publishing and writing. Furthermore, you must have excellent linguistic and stylistic ability in speech and writing in both Swedish and English.

Since the work involves many contacts, integrity, good cooperation skills and a high degree of service orientation are required. You are flexible in your approach and can work independently. You are also proactive, solution and development-oriented and have a good ability to work in a structured and accurate manner even during work peaks and when the work involves several simultaneous processes.

As a person, you are outgoing and creative, happy to come up with ideas and new approaches. You are self-motivated, you take responsibility for your tasks, and you drive your processes forward. You also work well in different groups and are good at collaborating and building relationships in both large and small contexts and in networks.

• Doctoral degree in the life sciences.
• Experience of working in the university and higher education sector, especially knowledge acquired in scientific projects, preferably with experience of working with communication issues at a research field close to the activities of MIMS, is an advantage.
• Experience in media science or journalism.
• Experience of working with layout and design, as well as working with image and film production, and experience of web publishing systems, such as Episerver, are also advantageous.

The position is part-time (50%) for twelve months with a start as soon as possible or as agreed. Applications should be made in the e-recruitment system Varbi and be received by 13 May 2024.

The application must be written in English (preferably) or Swedish and must contain: 

Contact person: Oliver Billker, [email protected]

We look forward to receiving your application!