Scientific Communications Officer (VHO)

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Temporary
• End Date if Temporary: 10/31/2025
• Hours Per Week: 5
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: 41,600-57,200

Position Summary

The Department of Systems Biology is seeking a creative, versatile, and motivated Communications Officer to document and promote our research, educational programs, and other activities on the web, in print, and through other media. This exciting opportunity offers a front row seat on a dynamic, rapidly developing research field and the chance to work closely with an innovative and collegial community of investigators. The primary focus of the Communications Officer's efforts will be to raise the profile of the Department of Systems Biology, particularly with the goal of recruiting talented graduate students and postdoctoral scientists who will become future leaders in research, technology, and education.

Responsibilities

• The Communications Officer will work in close consultation with our faculty to identify, document, and promote key findings, accomplishments, awards, and activities to the wider public. She or he must be an outstanding science writer/editor capable of understanding scientific papers and lectures and explaining them clearly to non-specialists. The ideal candidate will possess a wide range of skills, including experience with website editorial management and maintenance, print and digital graphic design, and other interests and capabilities that would be assets to our communications efforts. The Communications Officer must take the initiative to identify and follow through on communications opportunities, collaborating well with our faculty and other staff at Columbia University and consistently delivering high-quality results.
• Researching and writing articles, announcements, and press releases covering the Department's research, achievements, awards, grants, educational programs, and other activities.
• Setting general editorial strategy for building a portfolio of articles, graphics, and other content provides an accurate, well-rounded, up-to-date, and compelling representation of the Department.
• Assisting in the development and management of websites related to scientific activities led by the Department's faculty lab websites.
• Adhering to and maintaining a consistent and professional visual identity across our communications platforms for the Department. This includes conceiving and designing print collateral such as newsletters, brochures, and posters; managing the development of our library of photographic and graphic assets; and creating PowerPoint slides used to promote the Department's news across campus.
• Collaborating with public affairs offices at Columbia University Medical Center and at Columbia's Morningside campus to generate media interest and coverage of the Department's activities and discoveries.
• Assisting in communications within the Department, including producing an electronic newsletter and other initiatives to promote a shared sense of community and mission among our faculty and staff.
• Working closely with the Department Chair on tasks related to faculty development, outreach, student and postdoc recruitment, and fundraising.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education and experience required

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master's or higher degree is preferred.
• Preferred candidates will have extensive writing and communications experience in a relevant scientific field such as biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, physics, or mathematics, and have several years of post-graduate writing experience. Experience working for a scientific journal or experience in the public relations or communications field in a university, not-for-profit, or corporate environment would also be highly desirable.
• Technical expertise with website hosting, architecture, and development, while is not necessary; a familiarity with these topics and experience working on website development projects would be an asset.
• A portfolio showing the ability to design professional quality print and graphic publications would be a plus.

Other Requirements

• At a minimum, candidates must have completed a Bachelor's degree or equivalent, either in a scientific field or in writing/communications, and have at least four years of related experience in scientific communications.
• An ability to learn, understand, and summarize technical information quickly, and to write about science and technology in a clear, structured, articulate, and persuasive manner for both scientific and lay audiences.
• Superior editing and proofreading skills, including an ability to maintain and enforce a consistent style.
• Experience using online content management systems such as Drupal, WordPress, and Squarespace, as well as a basic user's knowledge of HTML.
• Command of Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as well as desktop publishing software for image editing and print design (Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat).
• Strong oral and interpersonal skills, ideally including experience working in an academic environment.
• Ability to conceive, initiate, and manage communications projects from start to finish, multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines in both collaborative and independent settings.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.