Senior Science Writer and Assistant Director of Communications - School of Public Health
Washington University in St. Louis
Application
Details
Posted: 02-Feb-25
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Type: Full-time
Internal Number: JR87048
Scheduled Hours
37.5
Position Summary
The Senior Science Writer and Assistant Director of Communications promotes, through top-tier storytelling and developing story coverage plans, the universityâ™s and School of Public Healthâ™s strategic goals to build a school that leads with excellence in interdisciplinary population health science and scholarship, distinction in educational programs, and deep commitment to local and global impact. This position will support the schoolâ™s strategic priorities and initiatives and help build the schoolâ™s reputation for research, and educational and community impact by expertly characterizing, both internally and externally, faculty thought leadership, innovation, and interdisciplinary work. This will be achieved via news stories, faculty and student profiles, multifaceted analysis of research efforts, and long-form magazine-quality feature stories. This position will provide leadership in mapping out strategic, compelling coverage of a new school from the bottom up, helping to determine the communication teamâ™s storytelling roadmap and best methods toward achieving team and school goals in the short and long term. This position is responsible for writing lay-language, clear, concise, high-quality content stemming from academic research for a variety of audiences in multiple channels. This position works closely with school leadership and with faculty from various disciplines, research centers, and WashU Marketing & Communications to identify and promote stories that enhance the reputation of the school and the universityâ™s emphasis on public health as a strategic initiative. This team member should have significant professional experience in science and health-related writing and be a creative, strategic thinker who thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Interviews faculty, school leadership and students to identify and then write articles for internal and external audiences â” in school and university online publications, and for the schoolâ™s and universityâ™s magazines â” about public-health related news and events that help to highlight the schoolâ™s strategic initiatives and innovations. Much of this work will stem from faculty research published in public health-related science journals, and from faculty-led programs and activities that address public health. Solid news judgment will be required to identify and best present stories about the school. This writer also will function as the schoolâ™s lead magazine writer.
Works with faculty to understand and translate their work into lay language as subject matter experts through intense collaboration. This will require developing and nurturing relationships with faculty, students and staff to best understand and characterize various efforts at the school. Reads and evaluates in-press journal articles by faculty to assess newsworthiness. Works with communications director and University Marketing & Communications to determine how to best to promote such research
In collaboration with the communications director and University Marketing & Communications, develops and executes a strategy to inject faculty research expertise into coverage of timely and topical news events. A key part of this is identifying faculty experts in subject matters of interest to the media and the public.
Works closely with communications director to develop, and follow through on, a strategic roadmap of how to comprehensively cover this new school from the bottom up, on multiple platforms, establishing practices and protocols for the communications team in its aim to best support the schoolâ™s strategic short- and long-term goals, and elevate the overall brand of the school.
Works closely with graphic artists, photographers, videographers and social media coordinators to prepare top-level assets for stories, and to help strategically identify where and how stories should be shared.
Keeps abreast of news and trends in public health, medicine and related sciences, with a keen eye toward interdisciplinary work in public health. Drafts a quarterly summary for internal leadership about such trends and how they relate to the school and its personnel.
Performs other duties as assigned, including assistance with podcast and video efforts; and developing and co-leading planned internship program.
Working Conditions
Job Location/Working Conditions
Normal office environment.
Physical Effort
Typically sitting at desk or table.
Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.
Ability to move to on and off campus locations.
Equipment
Office equipment.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree
Certifications:
No specific certification is required for this position.
Work Experience:
Professional Writing And Editing In Academic Communications, Media, Or Public Relations (5 Years)
Skills:
Not Applicable
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job
This position will be key in helping to develop the school communication teamâ™s priorities, practices and protocols.
Preferred Qualifications:
Masterâ™s degree in journalism, communications and/or public health- or science-related field
Demonstrated knowledge of academic institutions, particularly public health or health-related.
Ability to translate technical information into language accessible to the media and the lay public.
Solid news judgment and experience in and appreciation for science news and science writing.
Knowledge of traditional news and online media operations.
Ability to plan, organize and implement a regular program of developing public-health related news stories in a variety of formats; to work well with others; and to work effectively with faculty, students, staff and school leaders.
Understanding of and commitment to the highest professional public relations and communications standards.
Innovative and creative.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Master's degree
Certifications:
No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
Work Experience:
No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
Skills:
Achieving Deadlines, AP Style Writing, Communication, Deadline Management, Detail-Oriented, Digital Media, Editing Process, Health Sciences, Interpersonal Relationships, Interview Techniques, Lifelong Learning, Medical Publications, Multitasking, News Production, Problem Solving, Program Implementation, Project Management, Public Health, Scientific Editing, Scientific Writing, Teamwork, Time Management, Work Collaboratively, Working Independently, Writing
Grade
G13
Salary Range
$65,900.00 - $112,700.00 / AnnuallyThe salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Personal
Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
Wellness
Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
Family
We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? Weâ™ve got you covered.
WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the Universityâ™s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment â“ fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.
Washington University in St. Louis, a medium-sized, independent university, is dedicated to challenging its faculty and students alike to seek new knowledge and greater understanding of an ever-changing, multicultural world. The University offers more than 90 programs and almost 1,500 courses leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs. The faculty is composed of scholars, scientists, artists and members of the learned professions. They serve society by teaching; by adding to the store of human art, creativity, understanding, and wisdom; and by providing direct services, such as health care.