Science Writer

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR); Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 72,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

PSLF eligible employer

Job summary

UCAR seeks a Science Writer to translate NCAR research into compelling stories for the public, media, policymakers, and funders. You will cultivate relationships with scientists, identify strong story hooks, and expand storytelling to video, audio, and other formats.

You will collaborate with the Communications Office to extend narratives beyond news releases and web stories, and you will help scientists communicate their work through trainings and tailored messaging.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field.
• Six years of writing and/or editing experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and shepherd story ideas by building strong relationships with scientists and staff.
• Translate research into compelling stories for diverse audiences and formats.
• Edit and refine materials produced across UCAR and NCAR communications.
• Collaborate with external offices to tailor messages for specific audiences.
• Lead trainings to help scientists communicate effectively and engage media.

Skills

Writing & editing

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field

Job description

Position Type: Regular

Visa Sponsored Job: No

Relocation Assistance Eligible: No

Hiring Range: 72,082.00 USD - 90,103.00 USD

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

Application Closes at 12:00am MST on: 2026-10-12

Background Checks: Conducted for candidates selected for hire.

Work Location: Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

About the Role

The Science Writer supports the missions of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) and the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF | NCAR) by translating our work into compelling stories that showcase the value of our research to the nation and the world for a wide variety of audiences.

Under the direction of the Manager of Science Communications, the Science Writer is responsible for cultivating relationships with scientists and staff across the organization, identifying research and other work that have strong story hooks, and translating that work into communications products that resonate with our key audiences, which include the general public, media, policymakers, potential funders, end users, community managers, and others.

The Science Writer collaborates with other members of the Communications Office to extend the way we tell our story, expanding our storytelling efforts beyond traditional news releases and web stories to possibly include video, audio, or other formats.

What You Will Do

Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

Story Development

• Stays informed about recent research directions, findings, and breakthroughs by building strong relationships with scientists, leadership, and other staff across the organization.
• Identifies research, projects, and other work that is well suited for coverage by the Communications Office in support of the organization's strategic goals.
• Works to understand the fundamentals of Earth system science so that research findings can be put into the appropriate context and so that progress can be communicated accurately and with as much impact as possible.

Writing and Editing

• Translates technical research into compelling stories that are aimed at specific audiences to meet clear goals. Produces a wide variety of communications products, including news releases, leadership talking points, web content, brochures, one-pagers, newsletters, and more.
• Thinks beyond the traditional news release and web story to find creative ways to communicate the value of our science. This could include videos, podcasts, infographics, or other new media platforms.
• Edits other stories and materials produced by both the Communications Office and by other groups across NSF NCAR and UCAR.

Communications Training and Consulting

• Consults and collaborates with other externally facing groups - including Government Relations, External Engagement, Business Relations, and others - to identify goals and to tailor effective messages for specific audiences.

• Helps implement a variety of formal and informal trainings that help scientists better communicate their own work, including how to create effective talking points, tailor their message, implement best practices for presentations, and work with the news media.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Backs up a number of other roles in the Communications Office as needs arise.

Who We'd Love To Join Our Team

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field;
• six years of writing and/or editing experience;
• or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable writing and editing skills
• Understanding of, and enthusiasm for, Earth system science and the ability to explain its importance and value to society
• Excellent skill at interviewing scientific and technical professionals
• Ability to identify, gather, understand, assimilate, and coordinate complex scientific and technical information and to articulate it clearly and accurately for multiple audiences across multiple platforms
• Ability to identify and articulate what research is newsworthy and can help us tell our story in support of our mission
• Highly developed interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong relationships with scientists and staff across the organization
• High level of organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to balance multiple tasks under tight deadlines
• Ability to interface and collaborate with peers at sister institutions, professional societies, and federal agencies, and to work internally with a variety of staff at all levels
• Experience telling science stories in non-traditional formats, which could include video, graphics, audio, or other forms.

Preferred Qualifications

Hiring Salary Range: $73,520 - $91,910

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

Benefits Overview

UCAR offers a comprehensive benefits package: health insurance, dental, retirement plan, leave plans, tuition assistance, and employee assistance programs:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Generous retirement plan - UCAR contributes of 10% of base salary
• Time Off Plans
  • Minimum 20 days of annual PTO
  • 10 paid holidays
  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave
  • FAMLI Leave
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer

UCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants are not required to provide age-related information (like date of birth or graduation dates) in initial submissions.

For sponsored positions: UCAR can sponsor individuals for H-1B status only if they are already in the U.S. in H-1B status or another visa status that allows them to change to H-1B status within the U.S. UCAR is unable to sponsor new H-1B visas for individuals who are outside the U.S. and need to obtain H-1B status through Consular Processing.

While UCAR does not prohibit the use of AI tools in job applications, we strongly recommend that applicants submit primarily original work.

All roles require compliance with U.S. export control regulations and work location requirements. All hybrid staff are expected to work on-site approximately 3 days per week.