Science Media Press Officer

Cancer Research UK; Stratford-upon-Avon; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is seeking a proactive communications professional to deliver media campaigns that raise awareness of our science and research in Stratford. You will write press releases, pitches and briefing materials and handle media enquiries, supporting spokespeople ahead of interviews.

You will build relationships with journalists and internal stakeholders, translate complex science for the public, and monitor coverage to evaluate communications performance.

Qualifications

• Experience or knowledge of science, health journalism, media relations or PR.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate complex information to non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to identify compelling news angles.
• Experience managing competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Interest in science, health policy and medical research.

Responsibilities

• Deliver proactive media campaigns and media activity that raise awareness of Cancer Research UK science and research.
• Write engaging press releases, media pitches and briefing materials.
• Handle reactive media enquiries and support spokespeople ahead of interviews.
• Build relationships with journalists, editors, broadcasters and internal stakeholders.
• Translate complex scientific research into accessible content for the public.
• Monitor media coverage and evaluate communications performance.

Skills

Science journalism

Media relations

PR experience

Written communication

Verbal communication

Deadline management

Job description

Salary: £35,884 - £39,146 plus benefits
Directorate: Public Information & Communications
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week, full time
Location: Stratford (2 Redman Place), office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)
Closing date: 20th September at 23:59
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
Recruitment Process: One competency-based interview including a task
Interview Dates: Week commencing 5 October 2026

What will I be doing?

• Deliver proactive media campaigns and media activity that raise awareness of Cancer Research UK science and research.
• Write engaging press releases, media pitches and briefing materials.
• Handle reactive media enquiries and support spokespeople ahead of interviews.
• Build relationships with journalists, editors, broadcasters and internal stakeholders.
• Translate complex scientific research into accessible content for the public.
• Monitor media coverage and evaluate communications performance.

What are we looking for?

• Experience or knowledge of science, health journalism, media relations or PR.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate complex information to non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to identify compelling news angles.
• Experience managing competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Interest in science, health policy and medical research.

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Act with ambition, courage and determination
Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
Human: Act to have a positive impact on people
Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We're looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you're interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we'd still love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals. You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented. We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact [e-mail] or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.

We're the world's leading cancer charity, dedicated to saving and improving lives with our research. We work to reduce the impact of cancer on people's day-to-day lives through our research, influence and information. We are beating cancer – step by step, day by day. Our work means that people with cancer live better lives through earlier diagnosis and kinder, more effective treatments. Find a purposeful career that will empower you to grow and collaborate with like-minded experts.