Science Writer

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research; United States; On-site; USD 72,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental

Retirement plan

Leave plans

Tuition assistance

Employee assistance programs

Parental leave

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

The Science Writer role at UCAR translates NSF/NCAR research into compelling stories for the public, media, policymakers, funders, and end users. You will cultivate relationships with scientists and staff, identify story-worthy work, and craft materials that resonate with diverse audiences across multiple formats.

You will help extend storytelling beyond traditional releases, collaborating with the Communications Office to explore video, audio, infographics, and other media while meeting high

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field; six years of writing and/or editing experience or equivalent.
• Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to translate complex science for broad audiences.
• Experience interviewing scientists and conveying scientific concepts clearly.

Responsibilities

• Story development by building relationships with scientists and staff to identify strong story hooks.
• Translates technical research into compelling stories for diverse audiences, including news releases and web content.
• Writes and edits materials; collaborates on videos, podcasts, infographics, and other formats.
• Consults with external-facing groups to tailor messages for specific audiences and audiences.

Skills

Strong writing

Editing proficiency

Interviews with scientists

Education

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

Six years of writing and editing experience

Job description

Position Overview

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 Deadline

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

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 12 am MDT (at the beginning of) Monday, October 12, 2026.

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.

Key Responsibilities

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

• health insurance
• dental
• retirement plan
• leave plans
• tuition assistance
• 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

Equal Opportunity and Visa Information

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.

Work Location

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

About UCAR and NCAR

At NCAR - the National Center for Atmospheric Research - we study weather, water, climate, air quality, and space weather to help protect lives and livelihoods, grow the economy, and enhance our nation’s security and well‑being. We collaborate with research partners to advance the science that makes predictions better and with end users to develop applications for forecasters, farmers, resource managers, retailers, the military, and many other stakeholders. UCAR - the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research - manages NCAR on behalf of the National Science Foundation. We are a nonprofit consortium of more than 115 colleges and universities with research and training programs in Earth system science. We bring together the academic community and provide the operational management that are both essential to NCAR’s success. UCAR’s community programs, from educational resources to data delivery and other services, extend the reach and impact of NCAR’s world‑class research to the community and society. We seek talented people with diverse backgrounds, training, and skills to join us in our mission of science in service to society. Want to learn more? Visit ucar.edu.