Science Writer

Science Writer at Caltech

Job Category: Fulltime Regular

Exempt Overtime Eligible: Overtime Eligible

Benefits Eligible: Benefit Based

Caltech is a world‑renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do.

Caltech's Office of Communications and External Relations (OCER) works to define, promote, and protect Caltech's image, reputation, and brand. We create and distribute a wide range of content across multiple formats and platforms to tell the story of Caltech's people, their research, and how they create knowledge and advance discoveries that impact the world.

Reporting to the Director of Research Communications and Media Relations, the Science Writer will research and write stories focusing on research findings, projects, and thematic research areas, with particular emphasis on coverage of a specific division beat;
Caltech faculty, students, staff, alumni, and members of other core groups; and the Institute and its educational mission. The Science Writer will also research, write, edit, or otherwise assist in preparing obituaries of faculty, alumni, and other key members of the Caltech community; campus events; grants and awards; and other topics, as assigned.

The Science Writer is expected to develop and maintain a deep understanding of the research activities and priorities of a specific division beat, as well as world events and potential connections with Caltech, and to seek and propose story ideas that support Caltech's and the assigned division's priorities and goals.

The Science Writer will work closely with content and media relations strategists and OCER's media relations experts to assist with pitching story ideas to media to garner appropriate and accurate coverage. The Science Writer also will work with colleagues responsible for social media and multimedia to determine the best channel for disseminating complex scientific information, will assist with the creation of multimedia assets, including photography, graphics, and video, as necessary;

and will work with others in OCER to develop internal communication products such as newsletters and website content.

The Science Writer's core responsibility is to write press releases, media advisories, web content, magazine articles (feature and short‑form), photo captions, and other material for the Caltech website and/or print publications or for direct distribution to the media, with the goal of making the news understandable to a targeted audience while highlighting the priorities, significant themes, and the distinction and character of the Institute.

The Science Writer will work on highly complex assignments covering a range of science topics and/or research‑specific subjects, and will provide input that informs the development of the communications strategy for both the Research Communications and Media Relations group and for OCER as a whole.

In addition, they will:

• Participate in regular editorial/content meetings.
• Work collaboratively with the Research Communications and Media Relations team to develop materials for distribution to targeted media outlets.
• Pitch story ideas that can be produced across various formats, including print, online, and multimedia.
• Develop and grow a network of contacts throughout Caltech to identify and address communications needs and channels of distribution.
• Work closely with faculty, administration, staff, and students to deliver factual and appropriate content that also adheres to the Caltech style and promotes Caltech's interests and priorities.
• Maintain a high level of quality control through reviewing, editing, and proofing own work.
• Work with the Research Communications and Media Relations team on media tracking, metrics, and reports.
• Ensure that sound editorial judgment, professional principles, and ethics are reflected in all work products.
• Monitor and track projects and assignments to assure quality production and conformance to technical standards and production…