Communications Officer

University of Bath; Bath; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading UK university in Bath seeks a part-time Communications Officer to enhance visibility through social media and publications. The ideal candidate will have experience in academic communication and a degree in a social science. Responsibilities include managing social media for both the Institute of Policy Research and the Brunel Centre, along with producing various marketing materials and publications. The position is fixed-term until December 2029 and offers an excellent range of staff benefits.

Benefits

Free counselling services

Cycle to work scheme

Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme

Staff discount at Team Bath gym

Generous annual leave allowance

Wide range of personal and professional development opportunities

Relocation allowance

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate complex information to diverse audiences.
• Experience in a think-tank or academic setting.
• Experience producing branded publications.

Responsibilities

• Design content and manage social media for IPR.
• Commission, manage, and edit the IPR blog.
• Produce marketing materials and manage email communications.

Skills

Experience communicating complex information

Strong understanding of social media

Excellent written communication skills

Education

Undergraduate degree in a social science subject

Job description

Communications Officer

The Institute for Policy Research is looking to appoint a Communications Officer.

About Us

The IPR is a leading institute of public policy research in the UK. It aims to further the public good through research into issues of significant relevance to policy debate and decision‑making, building links with the worlds of policy and practice, and increasing public understanding of policy research through our events and publications.

The Brunel Centre is a new research and insight hub launched by the University of Bath, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and Futures West, with £4.5 million in funding from Research England. It provides independent, real‑time, open‑access data and research for and about the West of England economy, helping businesses, investors, and policymakers make better decisions across areas such as productivity, skills, innovation, trade and investment.

About The Role

In IPR, you will be responsible for designing content, analysing, and managing IPR's social media pages on platforms such as LinkedIn and Bluesky and for commissioning, managing, and editing the IPR blog, which hosts short pieces by academics writing about their area of expertise.

In The Brunel Centre, you will be responsible for social media content, management, and analysis, the production of marketing materials such as leaflets and slide decks, editing and designing publications released by the Centre, and managing the Centre's email communications with different audiences.

Working across the Institute for Policy Research and The Brunel Centre, you will help both IPR and the Brunel Centre promote their research to external audiences via social media, publications, and other channels.

Our Ideal Candidate

You will have experience communicating complex information to a variety of audiences in an academic or think‑tank setting.

You will have an understanding of scholarly research in the social sciences, evidenced by an undergraduate degree in a social science subject such as Politics, History, or Economics.

You will have a strong understanding of social media and experience using it to disseminate content to large audiences in a professional context.

You will have experience producing branded publications for an organisation, such as reports or other promotional materials.

You will have previously worked as part of a team but will also be comfortable working alone on dedicated tasks or projects.

You will have excellent written communication skills.

Additional Information

This is a part‑time (21.9 hours), fixed‑term position expected to end December 2029.

During the interview there will be a short writing and editing task.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Ashley Lait, IPR's Head of Policy Programmes and Communications, or Dr Lucy Martin, Director of the Brunel Centre.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds and communities, particularly from under‑represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We’re very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, an accredited Disability Confident Leader, autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

What We Can Offer You

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days to enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family‑friendly workplace
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and interest‑free loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us X and LinkedIn.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Right to Work in the UK: We do not assess immigration or right to work status until offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.

Anonymous shortlisting: We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.