Science & Engineering Editor

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement savings options

Job summary

Northwestern University is seeking a Science and Engineering Editor in Evanston, Illinois. This role is responsible for promoting the research of physical scientists and engineers to media and procurement coverage in top outlets.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years of relevant experience, excellent writing skills, and the ability to translate complex research into accessible language. The position offers a hybrid work schedule with competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of applicable experience in journalism, media relations, or marketing/communications roles.
• Strong understanding of the newsgathering process and experience working with reporters on deadline.
• Extensive knowledge of print, broadcast, and digital media.

Responsibilities

• Serve as one of two primary media contacts for physical and life sciences.
• Develop relationships with science and technology reporters.
• Write and send press releases and media advisories.

Skills

Journalism experience

Media relations

Writing about science

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Undergraduate degree in journalism or related field

Tools

Cision database

Job description

Department and Salary

Department: Global Marketing/Communication
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary

The primary focus of the Office of Global Marketing and Communications (OGMC) is communicating Northwestern's academic agenda—to all internal and external audiences—in order to strengthen the University’s identity and improve its reputation among peers, potential students, and the public.

The Science and Engineering Editor is responsible for promoting the research of Northwestern University physical scientists and engineers to national, global, and local media, and for procuring coverage in top news outlets. This versatile writer/editor will pitch individual reporters on groundbreaking new research and write press releases to promote important studies that will be published in peer‑reviewed journals. The ability to translate complicated research into accessible language is essential to the position. The editor also contributes stories about trending research efforts across schools and units at Northwestern.

The writer/editor writes media advisories to promote Northwestern faculty experts who can comment on breaking news related to the science and engineering beat. This role requires the ability to communicate effectively with some of the world’s top researchers and to stay on top of relevant science and technology news. The editor must have a strong understanding of the newsgathering process and experience working with reporters on deadline.

This position will be a hybrid schedule—three days per week in the office, based in Evanston, Illinois.

Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Cover letter required for consideration.

Responsibilities

• Serve as one of two primary media contacts for the physical and life sciences in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and the McCormick School of Engineering.
• Develop relationships with science and technology reporters and know their particular interests and beats; learn the media landscape to identify important outlets (print, broadcast, digital).
• Proactively contact reporters and pitch media outlets across local, national, and global media landscapes, including tier‑one outlets.
• Match faculty with breaking news stories to place faculty as expert commentators in the media; connect reporters with faculty expert sources for stories.
• Work with scientists and engineers to translate complicated research into lay language that is accessible to reporters and the public.
• Engage in ongoing and frequent outreach to physical/life science and engineering faculty to learn about upcoming research for publication.
• Write and send press releases (under embargo when possible) and media advisories about key research and other news and events from the science and engineering beat; write clear, concise, and engaging content with strong headlines and leads in Associated Press style and house style.
• Use and maintain a database (Cision) of media contacts and lists for press release distribution.
• Collaborate with fellow editors in media relations within OGMC.
• Partner with communications team members at the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and the McCormick School of Engineering.
• Collaborate with communications team members at the Office for Research and with Northwestern research centers and institutes related to the science and engineering beat, such as the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics and the International Institute for Nanotechnology.
• Post press releases and media advisories on OGMC’s internal news channels, including the “Northwestern Now” and “For Journalists” websites; create press kits, including multimedia, for releases posted on the “For Journalists” website.
• Participate in media training of faculty, as needed.
• Coordinate and staff onsite broadcast shoots between science and engineering faculty and media, when necessary.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Minimum of five years of applicable experience in journalism, media relations, or marketing/communications roles.
• Undergraduate degree in journalism, public relations, or a related field, or equivalent experience (preferred but not required).
• Experience writing about science, engineering, or technology (preferred but not required).
• Ability to communicate effectively with some of the world’s top scientists and engineers and stay on top of relevant local, national, and global news.
• Strong understanding of the newsgathering process and experience working with reporters on deadline.
• Strong writing, editing, pitching, and storytelling skills.
• Extensive knowledge of print, broadcast, digital, and social media.
• Excellent news judgment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills to manage and coordinate information from a diverse group of people within and outside the University.
• Experience editing and pitching opinion pieces to local and national media.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment.
• Prepared to work after hours and on weekends as necessary to attend and cover events, complete assignments, and meet deadlines.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $65,000 and $75,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre‑tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html. 

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances, whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non‑discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.