Marketing and Communications Specialist - NSF NCEMS (Huck Institutes)

Penn State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University’s NCEMS seeks a Marketing and Communications Specialist to lead communications, marketing, and outreach for the Center. This onsite role collaborates with leadership and research teams to promote programs and opportunities, translating complex science into accessible messaging.

The position will be based at University Park and requires 1 year of funding with potential for continuation based on need and funding. Penn State does not sponsor visas for staff positions.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in writing, editing, and digital content creation.
• Ability to engage stakeholders and translate complex science to broad audiences.
• Proficiency with common communications, design, and collaboration tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop, edit, and publish website content, social media posts, newsletters and announcements.
• Create branded graphics, presentations, and digital assets aligned with Penn State standards.
• Plan campaigns for Working Groups, fellowships, internships, funding opportunities, and accomplishments.
• Translate complex scientific information into clear, accessible messaging with Center leadership.
• Maintain websites, contact lists, and assets; monitor engagement metrics and optimize.
• Coordinate outreach and events; communicate with researchers, partners, and participants.
• Prepare leadership communications and manage project materials and records.

Skills

Communications

Editing

Digital content

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

CMS/WordPress

Social media tools

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

The U.S. National Science Foundation National Synthesis Center for Emergence in the Molecular and Cellular Sciences (NCEMS) at Penn State seeks a Marketing and Communications Specialist to lead scientific communications, marketing, and outreach efforts. NCEMS brings together interdisciplinary researchers to apply AI and data science to fundamental questions in molecular and cellular biology.

This position will be filled at the Marketing and Communications Specialist - Intermediate Professional level.

Reporting to the NCEMS Project Manager, this position collaborates with the Director, Principal Staff Scientist, research teams, and partners to communicate Center activities and achievements, promote programs and opportunities, and ensure consistent messaging across NCEMS initiatives. The specialist manages multiple assignments with general supervision and may travel to meetings, conferences, workshops, and other Center events.

Key Responsibilities

• Communications, Marketing, and Digital Content
  • Develop, edit, and publish website content, social media posts, newsletters, announcements, correspondence, research highlights, and other communications for scientific and public audiences.
  • Create and coordinate branded graphics, presentations, promotional materials, and digital assets aligned with Penn State and NCEMS standards.
  • Plan and manage communications campaigns promoting Working Groups, fellowships, internships, workshops, funding opportunities, publications, and Center accomplishments.
  • Collaborate with Center leadership, staff, faculty, trainees, and partners to translate complex scientific and programmatic information into clear, accessible messaging.
  • Maintain websites, contact lists, and communications assets; monitor engagement metrics and recommend improvements.
• Outreach, Events, and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Coordinate communications with researchers, partner institutions, prospective participants, and other stakeholders, including outreach, invitations, information requests, and follow-up communications.
  • Support communications for scientific meetings, Working Groups, workshops, conferences, and the annual Summit, including participant communications, presentation materials, signage, registration messaging, and post-event summaries.
  • Attend designated meetings to document key decisions, updates, action items, and deadlines; prepare meeting summaries and maintain related records.
  • Coordinate outreach and event deliverables with the Project Manager and Center personnel using established schedules, templates, and procedures.
• Center Communications Operations
  • Prepare leadership communications, briefings, meeting materials, and stakeholder correspondence for the Director and Principal Staff Scientist.
  • Organize communications files, project materials, trackers, and shared resources; monitor assigned tasks and elevate significant issues as needed.
  • Provide day-to-day guidance to student employees supporting communications, outreach, documentation, and events, and review work for quality and consistency.
  • Perform other related duties in support of Center programs and operations.

Skills and Experience

Demonstrated experience in writing, editing, digital content creation, and stakeholder engagement; ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines; and proficiency with common communications, design, and collaboration tools.

Work Arrangement

This is an onsite role and will work out of our University Park campus.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree
• 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Required Certifications: None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position, including all possible

Visa & Employment Eligibility

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.