Science and Engineering Editor

Department: Global Marketing/Communication
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary

The primary focus of the Office of Global Marketing and Communications (OGMC) is communicating Northwestern's academic agenda - communicating to all internal and external audiences in order to strengthen the University's identity and improve its reputation amongst our peers, potential students and the public.

The Science and Engineering Editor is responsible for promoting the research of Northwestern University physical scientists and engineers to national, global and local media and to procure coverage in top news outlets. Reporting to the Senior Science and Engineering Editor, and closely collaborating with other members of OGMC's Media Relations team, including the Managing Editor for Media Relations and the Director of Media Relations, this versatile writer/editor will pitch individual reporters on groundbreaking new research and write press releases to promote important studies that will be published in peer-reviewed journals. The ability to translate complicated research into accessible language is essential to the position. This editor also will contribute stories about trending research efforts across schools and units at Northwestern.

In addition, the writer/editor will write media advisories to promote Northwestern faculty experts who can comment on breaking news related to the science and engineering beat. This role requires the ability to communicate effectively with some of the world's top researchers and stay on top of relevant science and technology news. In addition, this person must have a strong understanding of the newsgathering process and experience working with reporters on deadline.

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Responsibilities:
Key aspects of this role include but are not limited to:

• Serving as one of two primary media contacts for the physical and life sciences in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and the McCormick School of Engineering.

• Developing relationships with science and technology reporters and knowing their particular interests and beats. Learning the media landscape to know which outlets (print/broadcast/digital) are important to the science and engineering beat.

• Proactively contacting reporters and pitching media outlets across local, national and global media landscapes, including tier-one media outlets.

• Matching faculty with breaking news stories to place faculty as expert commentators in the media; connecting reporters with faculty expert sources for stories.

• Working with scientists and engineers to translate complicated research into lay language to make it accessible to reporters and the public.

• Ongoing and frequent outreach to physical/life science and engineering faculty to learn about upcoming research to be published.

• Writing and sending press releases (under embargo, when possible) and media advisories about key research and other news and events from the science and engineering beat. Writing should be clear and concise, engaging readers with strong headlines and leads. Associated Press style and house style are used.

• Using and maintaining a database (Cision) of media contacts and lists for press release distribution.

• Working collaboratively with fellow editors in media relations within OGMC.

• Partnering with communications team members at the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and the McCormick School of Engineering.

• Working collaboratively with communications team members at the Office for Research as well as Northwestern research centers and institutes related to the science and engineering beat, such as the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics and the International Institute for Nanotechnology.

• Posting press releases and media advisories on OGMC's internal news channels, including the "Northwestern Now" and "For Journalists" websites. Creating press kits, including multimedia, for releases posted on the "For Journalists" website.

• Participating in media training of faculty, as needed.

• Coordinating and staffing onsite broadcast shoots between science and engineering faculty and media, when necessary.

• Minimum of five years of applicable experience in journalism, media relations or marketing/communications roles.

• Undergraduate degree in journalism, public relations or a related field or equivalent experience, preferred but not required.

• Experience writing about science, engineering or technology preferred, but not required.

• The ability to communicate effectively with some of the world's top scientists and engineers and to stay on top of relevant local, national and global news.

• A strong understanding of the newsgathering process and experience working with reporters on deadline.

• Strong writing/editing, pitching and storytelling skills.

• Extensive knowledge of print, broadcast, digital and social media.

• Excellent news judgement.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Strong organizational skills to manage and coordinate information from a diverse group of people within and outside of the University.

• Experience editing and pitching opinion pieces to local and national media.

• Experience working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

• Candidates for this position should be prepared to work after hours and on weekends as necessary to attend and cover events, complete assignments and meet deadlines.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $65,000-$75,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.