Communications Science Manager

View Vacancy -- Communications Science Manager
Open Date
04/07/2022, 10:30
Close Date
29/07/2022, 23:55
Research Institute  
NC3Rs
Research Institute / Unit Information  

Science-led and evidence-based, the NC3Rs is the UK’s national organisation for the 3Rs, established in 2004 to accelerate the development and uptake of new models and tools that replace, reduce or refine the use of animals in research and testing. We have shown that science and technology focused on minimising animal use or improving animal welfare, can deliver benefits to human health, protection of the environment and business opportunities. The NC3Rs is primarily funded by Government and has an annual budget of approximately £10 million. Its activities are divided between its role as the UK’s major 3Rs research funder and programmes led by its own team of scientists. Further information can be found at www.nc3rs.org.uk .   

Given that the 3Rs apply across all areas of the life sciences sector, our outputs span a diverse range of specialisms from animal welfare to toxicology. The communications team works alongside the experts – members of our team and our grant holders – to communicate the 3Rs impacts of our work effectively, making sure we reach the right people in the right way.

To do this we use of a wide range of channels to engage with our audiences, providing a brilliant opportunity for the candidate to broaden their communications experience in the role. From using social media to effectively reach our target audiences, developing our websites and website content to best meet their needs and showcase our work, to collaborating with institutional press offices across the Country, producing our podcast in collaboration with international 3Rs stakeholders and supporting public engagement activities, it is an exciting and dynamic team to be a part of.

UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found atwww.ukri.org
Band  
MRC - 4
Location  
London
Salary  
£32,005 - £35,143 (plus London allowances if applicable)
Contract Type  
Permanent
Job Type  
Science
Full Time / Part Time  
Full Time
Job Description  

Role of the Communications Science Manager

The Communications Science Manager is responsible for promoting and communicating the work of the NC3Rs to the scientific community as well as the media and the general public.

This involves supporting members of the NC3Rs team, as well as the wider community of NC3Rs-funded scientists, to communicate their work and 3Rs impacts through the appropriate channels in line with our Communications Strategy.

Key responsibilities

Communications strategy

Support the NC3Rs team in implementing the Communications Strategy, identifying opportunities for 3Rs impacts and outputs to be effectively disseminated to the wider scientific community by:

• Writing engaging content that highlights the 3Rs impacts of our work, ensuring that the wider scientific community clearly understands its importance.
• Selecting appropriate media to engage our target audiences depending on the type of information being communicated, from graphics/infographics to video and audio.
• Working with the Communications Programme Manager to support the NC3Rs team in communicating their work to key audiences effectively, including providing advice on the most appropriate channels and media formats.
• Identifying newsworthy 3Rs items for dissemination through attending regular events and webinars, monitoring our google alerts and social media and networking.
• Supporting public engagement events with creative input, providing administrative and logistical support.

Internal communications

• Working with the Online Communications Officer to keep digital communications up-to-date by managing content on our websites and social media channels, collating information from across the team.
• Ensuring the consistent use of the NC3Rs brand and house style across all materials.
• Ensuring that internal communication channels are used effectively to inform the team about projects and impacts across the breadth of work that the NC3Rs covers.

Relationship building

• Acting as the first point of contact for all media enquiries, working with the Communications Programme Manager and Chief Executive to coordinate the NC3Rs response.
• Working with the Communications Programme Manager to develop and maintain relationships with communications teams in partner organisations.

Additional Information

• The Communications Science Manager will also contribute to other activities where appropriate and will be part of the Communications Team.
• The ability to work as part of a dynamic team is essential.
• There will be no formal staff management responsibilities.
• The NC3Rs is a hybrid employer. The post is based primarily in London, where the NC3Rs Offices are located, but travel to attend meetings in other UK and/or overseas locations may be required.

The post holder will need to work early and/or late when required – especially around key meetings and events.

Person Specification  

Education, qualifications and training

• PhD in a biological science

Knowledge and work experience  

• An understanding of the issues around the use of animals in research and a demonstrable commitment to the 3Rs
• A keen interest in science communication and experience of writing content for scientific audiences is desirable
• Good proficiency in MS Office software (particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Experience in using website content management systems and adobe programmes (e.g., Illustrator, InDesign) is desirable
• Experience of organising science-based events and/or outreach projects is desirable

Personal skills, behaviours and qualities

• Ability to identify, analyse and propose solutions to varied problems
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload, working proactively to meet deadlines
• Excellent inter-personal skills and the ability to work well as part of a team
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy across written and visual media
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders

Communication skills

• Ability to come up with imaginative and creative ideas for communicating NC3Rs/3Rs research and messages
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor style to a range of scientific and lay audiences
• Ability to communicate complex information effectively
• Ability to identify and translate interesting stories from research findings

Further Information  

The Communications Science Manager will report to the Communications Programme Manager.

Salary will be in the range of £32,005 - £35,143 per annum (plus London allowances if applicable) depending on skills and experience.

The successful candidate will be subject to security checks.

The closing date for applications is 29 July 2022.

Please ensure to submit a CV and covering letter. Your cover letter should clearly outline how you fulfil the criteria listed in the personal specification and your motivation for applying for this role. Please note failure to address the criteria or submit a covering letter may result in your application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV.

Interviews will take place in August.

The NC3Rs is an autonomous body responsible for setting and delivering its strategy and managing its resources. It is not an independent public bodyand for this reason it operates under the umbrella of the Medical Research Council (MRC), using some of the MRC administrative systems. A service agreement exists between the NC3Rs and the MRC. NC3Rs staff are appointed to the appropriate MRC Band and immediately seconded to the NC3Rs.
Choosing to come to work at the NC3Rs (part of UKRI) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the NC3Rs and UKRI on your CV in the future.
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As"Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.
We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.