Research Communications Specialist & Media Professional

University of Alaska; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alaska Anchorage Office of Research seeks a Communications & Media Specialist to elevate UAA's research excellence and impact across Alaska and beyond. You will craft multi-platform content, support Center leadership, and lead proactive news gathering to showcase partnerships and outcomes.

You will manage content production, analyze metrics, and ensure brand alignment while supporting live events and media engagements with a focus on federal and state programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Communications, Media, Public Relations or other related field and three years of progressively relevant professional experience.
• An unrestricted Alaska driver's license and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving criteria is required.
• Preferred Experience: military and federal community protocols awareness and interaction.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic communications to elevate visibility, reputation, and impact of the Office of Research Centers.
• Create and disseminate high-quality written, visual, audio, and multimedia content across internal and external channels; support executive communications.
• Lead proactive news gathering to highlight research initiatives, partnerships, and outcomes; manage media relations and earned media opportunities.

Skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Content strategy

Media relations

Web & social media

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Media, Public Relations or related field

Job description

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Office of Research is seeking a Communications & Media Specialist to lead strategic storytelling that elevates UAA's research excellence, innovation, and real-world impact across Alaska and beyond. This position works closely with UAA leadership and a wide range of interdisciplinary research centers, including AERC, ADAC-ARCTIC, ISER, ICHS, and CBHRS, among others. Many of these centers conduct federally funded research with roots in the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, making familiarity with federal protocols, compliance environments, and sensitive research communications an important asset. Are you ready to translate exploration into impact?

As the Research Communications & Media Specialist, you will develop and execute strategic communications that elevate the visibility, reputation, and impact of the Office of Research Centers. You create and disseminate high-quality written, visual, audio, and multimedia content across internal and external channels; support executive-level communications for Center leadership; and lead proactive newsgathering efforts to highlight research initiatives, partnerships, and outcomes. You strengthen Center brands, drive engagement and recruitment efforts, manage media relations and earned media opportunities, and collaborate with university and external partners. You also oversee content production and contractors, manage communications workflows and budgets, analyze performance metrics to inform strategy, and ensure alignment with institutional brand standards while supporting live and recorded programs, events, and media engagements.

To thrive in this role, the candidate must possess exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to develop compelling, multi-platform content across a wide range of media and styles. They should demonstrate strong organizational, time-management, and analytical abilities, enabling them to manage multiple high-level priorities while collaborating effectively in complex environments. Success in this role requires a solid understanding of research center programs and their alignment with federal, state, and local missions, as well as expertise in branding, reputation management, and integrated communications. The ideal candidate is highly service-oriented, experienced in managing websites and social media, and proficient in planning and executing multimedia communications and branding campaigns for military, federal, and private-sector partners, supported by comprehensive knowledge of production workflows, presentation standards, and legal considerations.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Communications, Media, Public Relations or other related field and three years of progressively relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training.

An unrestricted Alaska driver's license and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving criteria is required.

Preferred Experience: Applicant should have prior military experience as military protocol and culture will be necessary when interacting with military duty members and members of the federal community. If no prior military experience, should be able to demonstrate that they have an understanding of the military and federal community protocols.

This position is located in Anchorage, Alaska. This is a term-funded, full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 79, based on education and experience.

Application review will begin on September 16, 2026. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration; however, the recruitment will remain open until filled.

To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Heather Paulsen at [e-mail].

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This is a term-funded position reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

The University of Alaska is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at [e-mail].

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA:(Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension)Online:https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or [e-mail]/907-786-1214 or [e-mail].

UAF:(Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus)Online:https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or [e-mail].

UAS:(Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus)Online:https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing [e-mail].