Science Communications Manager - MLC 1666

Open Date
07/09/2021, 12:37
Close Date
27/09/2021, 23:55
MRC Mary Lyon Centre
MRC Harwell Institute is an international biological research centre at the forefront of the use of mammalian models to study genetics and human diseases. Located on the Harwell Campus, just south of Oxford, it is nestled amongst a vibrant community of leading science organisations. We aim to advance medicine through cutting-edge research into the genetic basis of disease. Our research programmes span an entire lifetime, from embryonic development to diseases of ageing. There are over 300 staff at the Institute made up of research scientists, technicians, animal carers, and business support personnel.
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 at www.ukri.org

MRC - 3
Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire
£40,016 - £46,643 per annum pro-rata (depending on experience)
Permanent
Technical & Scientific Professionals
Part Time
16-20 hours per week (depending on candidate preference)

Overall purpose:

  • Lead scientific communications for National Mouse Genetics Network
  • Develop and building the identity of the National Mouse Genetics Network within UK and International biomedical science.

Main duties / key responsibilities:

  • Support the design and delivery of a progressive communications strategy for the NMGN. 
  • Foster effective relationships and work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders including those in biopharma. 
  • Manage communications around national calls network meetings, workshops or funding opportunities. 
  • Shape key messages and disseminate to funders and government 
  • Identify key target audience for resource dissemination (e.g. disease areas for workshops etc) 
  • Seek and provide professional communications advice. 
  • Develop and maintain a communications grid related to NMGN including the mail lists in GDPR complaint format. 
  • Plan and implement appropriate methods for evaluation of the communications strategy. Provide stakeholder communication analysis and develop core audience insight. Monitor and analyse the results and make appropriate recommendations. 
  • Chair the NMGN communications committee, feeding back to key stakeholders and NMGN executive board. 
  • Support risk management for the communications work stream. 
  • Source and train appropriate media spokespeople, in liaison with MRC and University Press Office 
  • Working with Mary Lyon Centre communications lead, to drive combined messaging for the Networks and the MLC 
  • Working closely with communications officers of other organisations to disseminate best practice and 3Rs opportunities 
  • Engage and have a leading role in public engagement programmes involving the Mouse Network, communicating and co-ordinating with corporate comms

Equality & Diversity:

The MRC values the diverse skills and experience of its employees and is committed to achieving equality of treatment for all. Our objectives are that all individuals shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the basis of their skills, aptitudes and abilities. The MRC is committed to the engagement and retention of the best possible talent and to creating an environment that encourages excellence in scientific research through good equalities and diversity leadership and management.

Corporate/Local responsibilities & requirements:

The job holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC’s:

  • Code of Conduct
  • Equality and Diversity policy
  • Health and Safety policy
  • Data Protection and Security policy

Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between the post holder and their manager. 

The above lists are not exhaustive and the job holder is required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.

Education / Qualifications / Training required:  

Essential

  • PhD in subject relating to mouse genetics
  • Experience in mouse genetics and life sciences
  • Exposure to scientific communications 

Desirable

  • Communication experiences

Previous work experience required: 

Essential

  • Experience in mouse genetics research
  • Experience in writing scientific papers/communications
  • Experience of managing projects with multiple partners and delivering to deadlines

Knowledge and experience:  

Essential

  • Mouse genetics experience
  • Communications exposure
  • Scientific writing experience

Personal skills/behaviours/qualities:

Essential

  • Leadership skills
  • Proven supervisory skills
  • Excellent presentation skills
  • Organisational and team co-ordination skills.
  • Highly motivated, focussed on scientific delivery

Desirable

  • Ability to communicate clearly (spoken and written) across a range of issues and to a variety of audiences
  • Proven ability to prioritise and plan workload to meet multiple and/or tight deadlines without compromising quality or working relationships
  • Highly developed planning and organisational skills with the ability to respond flexibly and positively to unexpected changes or demands
  • Able to grasp complex or technical subjects quickly and to present and explain them in a manner easily understood by non-specialists
  • Confident and outgoing manner, with demonstrable experience of using interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
  • Ability to behave with discretion and with strict attention to confidentiality
  • Ability to act on own initiative

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 13 October

The Communications Manager position is based at our office in Harwell. However, depending on candidate preference there is an option for an on-site/home working hybrid working pattern.

The MRC is a great place to work and progress your career, be it in scientific research or the support functions.The MRC is a unique working environment where our researchers are rewarded by world class innovation and collaboration opportunities that the MRC name brings. The MRC is an excellent place to develop yourself further and a range of training & development opportunities will be available to you, including professional registration with the Science Council.

Choosing to come to work at the MRC (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 MRC 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.