Science and Engineering Editor

Department: Global Marketing/Communication

Salary/Grade: EXS/7

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  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 news gathering process and experience working with reporters on deadline.

Note:

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

• 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…