Science Communications and Media Relations Officer NC3Rs 1203

Open Date
29/10/2019, 12:00
Close Date
26/11/2019, 23:55
NC3Rs

The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) is a UK-based scientific organisation, dedicated to replacing, refining and reducing the use of animals in research in testing (the 3Rs). Its work is based around four main activities:

  • Funding research and early career awards
  • Commercialising 3Rs technologies
  • Changing practice, policy and regulations
  • Providing 3Rs resources, training materials and other information.

Communicating effectively about the 3Rs is essential in delivering the NC3Rs mission. The Centre’s communications activities play a vital role in promoting the awareness, understanding and behavioural change required for widespread uptake of the 3Rs across the scientific community. More broadly public opinion polls demonstrate that there is increasing interest in learning more about the 3Rs. The NC3Rs supports its communication activities through a range of channels including its website, social media and public engagement events.

Further information can be found at www.nc3rs.org.uk

UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found atwww.ukri.org

MRC - 4
London
£29,181.00 - £33,755.00 (plus London allowances)
Permanent
Science
Full Time

The Science Communications and Media Relations Officer is responsible for promoting and communicating the work of the NC3Rs to key stakeholders within the scientific community as well as parliamentarians, the media and the general public. This role involves supporting members of the NC3Rs team, as well as the wider community of NC3Rs-funded scientists, to communicate their work and also involves leading on the Centre’s public engagement activities.

Key responsibilities:


External communications and content development

  • Write, edit, and distribute content for a variety of communication channels including the NC3Rs website, news items, press releases, social media and other promotional/informative material that communicates the NC3Rs’ activities.
  • Collaborate with colleagues to develop and implement an effective communications strategy.
  • Develop relationships with NC3Rs grant holders and other stakeholders to ensure that any media opportunities are identified and maximised.
  • Develop and maintain good relationships with the media including journalists from print, broadcast and online media to facilitate promotion of the NC3Rs and the 3Rs.
  • Act as the first point of contact for all media enquiries and coordinate the NC3Rs response.
  • Keep up-to-date on changes in the external environment, such as coverage of animal research in the media, so that the NC3Rs can be prepared to respond accordingly.


Public engagement activities

  • Develop and manage a programme of public engagement activities on the 3Rs to raise awareness of the NC3Rs and its activities and promote the importance of the 3Rs.
  • Manage the NC3Rs public engagement funding scheme which is available to NC3Rs grant holders.


Internal communications

  • Work with NC3Rs scientific staff to effectively communicate their work to non-specialist audiences.


General

  • Ensure consistent use of the NC3Rs brand and house style.
  • Other ad-hoc activities as required, for example; assisting in the preparation of corporate materials (e.g. annual report).

 

Education, qualifications, training


Essential:

  • Educated to degree level with a science degree or equivalent


Desirable:

  • Science communications qualification 


Previous work experience


Essential:

  • Previous experience in a science communication role
  • Experience of using design software e.g. InDesign or Illustrator 


Desirable:

  • Experience of working in a scientific or medical press office


Knowledge and experience


Essential:

  • Excellent writing and editing skills
  • Working knowledge of bioscience and science policy and their associated terminologies
  • Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and written, across a range of topics
  • Ability to explain complex subjects in a manner easily understood by a non-specialist audience
  • Ability to come up with imaginative and creative ideas for communicating NC3Rs research and messages


Desirable:

  • Experience using website content management systems
  • Experience of photo editing packages e.g. Photoshop


Personal skills/ qualities


Essential:

  • A good understanding of the use of animals in research and a commitment to the 3Rs and animal welfare
  • Ability to plan workload to meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality
  • Excellent team working and interpersonal skills, ability to liaise with stakeholders at all levels
  • Exercises sound judgement and knows when to consult colleagues

 

 

 


The post holder will report to the Communications Programme Manager.


The post will be based primarily in London but will be required to attend meetings in other UK and/or Overseas locations. The post holder will need to work early and/or late when required - especially around key meetings and events.


Salary will be in the range of £29,181 to £33,755 per annum (plus London allowances), depending on skills and experience.


This role will have no formal staff management responsibilities.


The successful candidate will be subject to security checks. 


The closing date for applications is 26 November 2019.

Please ensure you include a copy of your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the criteria listed in the person specification when applying for the position.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 5 December. 

The NC3Rs is an autonomous body responsible for setting and delivering its strategy and managing its resources. It is not an independent public bodyand for this reason it operates under the umbrella of the Medical Research Council (MRC), using some of the MRC administrative systems. A service agreement exists between the NC3Rs and the MRC. NC3Rs staff are appointed to the appropriate MRC Band and immediately seconded to the NC3Rs.

Choosing to come to work at the NC3Rs (part of UKRI) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the NC3Rs and UKRI on your CV in the future.

Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As"Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.

We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.  The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.  UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

This opportunity is closed to applications.