Senior Science Writer

Job Title

Senior Science Writer

Agency

Texas A&M Engineering

Department

Engineering Communications Group

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Why work for Texas A&M Engineering?

Who we are

Texas A&M Engineering is a large employer in the great and growing cities of Bryan/College Station, offering thousands of career opportunities in a wide variety of fields. We are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce that embraces our core values of respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity, and service. Texas A&M Engineering offers competitive salaries, full benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative working community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education, research, and public service.

Job Description

Purpose:

The Senior Science Writer, under general supervision, provides writing skills necessary to assist in the creation of news features highlighting the faculty, students and research in the College of Engineering. Identifies, researches and supports new media opportunities including but not limited to print, multimedia, social, online and media relations. The Senior Science Writer will write, edit and improve technical content prepared by others for the College of Engineering’s various channels. This includes channels such website news, magazines, electronic newsletters, fact sheets, and social media. Much of the subject matter will be scientific, so the ability to translate complex subjects without compromising the integrity of the research is essential.

Responsibilities:

• Researches, interviews, and writes press releases, media advisories, feature/news articles highlighting the faculty, staff and research of the College of Engineering.
• Assists in developing, implementing, and maintaining effective outreach for those stories through social media.
• Maintains an effective program for researching and collecting stories from assigned departments within the College of Engineering.
• Assists the assigned communications specialists in the COE departments as needed with writing content.
• Produces written content on a tight turnaround as needed to match announcements from external collaborators.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What we need:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Four years of related experience.

What is helpful:

• A degree in an engineering field or a science journalism discipline
• Masters in scientific journalism
• Communications and/or marketing experience
• Professional writing experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Associated Press style
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment

Work Location:

• Main Campus – College Station, TX.

About Engineering Communications

Engineering Communications develops and implements communications and marketing plans focusing on key priorities of the engineering program as defined by the engineering leadership team. It also serves as a communications resource for many stakeholders and, as time allows, accommodates requests for assistance. An award-winning team of communications, marketing, graphic design, web, and public relations professionals, focuses on strengthening the brand and image of the Texas A&M University College of Engineering, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, Texas A&M Engineering Program, Texas A&M University and The Texas A&M University System.

Texas A&M Engineering provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

• Competitive health benefits.
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.
• Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance options.
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS), a defined benefit retirement plan with 8% employer contribution.
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program 457(b).
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional development opportunities.
• Tuition assistance https://engineering.tamu.edu/information/esac/educational-assistance-programs.html
• Wellness program release time offered to employees to promote work/life balance.

Helpful Applicant Information

Required Materials for Application:

• Resume/CV
• Three work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor/former supervisor.
• Letter of interest

Compensation Philosophy:

• Recruit and retain high-performing workforce through competitive compensation and career development including career pathing, coaching and skills development.
• Offer total rewards, flexible benefits, professional development, performance recognition and work-life balance.
• Ensure resources are readily available and utilized to attract and retain the highest quality researchers, faculty, and staff.  

Employment Eligibility Verification

• If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in delay of start date.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.