Scientific Communications and Outreach Specialist

Northeast Ohio Medical University; Rootstown Township (OH); Hybrid; USD 49,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Educational benefits

Lean Six Sigma training

Wellness initiatives

Job summary

NEOMED's Department of Biomedical Sciences seeks a Scientific Communications and Outreach Specialist to grow awareness of neuroscience and graduate programs through strategic storytelling, content creation, and cross‑department collaboration.

The role leads social media, web content, events, and recruitment materials, partnering with faculty and students to translate complex research into engaging narratives that attract prospective students and research partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Life Science, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.
• Strong written, editing, and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt voice for different audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and content creation tools including graphic design platforms, video editing, and analytics.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop compelling narratives around faculty research, student experiences, and program outcomes that resonate with prospective students, collaborators, and partners.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to gather stories and insights that showcase program strengths.
• Create compelling written, digital, and visual content for websites, newsletters, brochures, presentations, recruitment materials, and ads.
• Work cross-functionally to align messaging and support recruitment goals and brand consistency.
• Manage multiple projects and content initiatives simultaneously, meeting deadlines with minimal oversight.
• Maintain and update program websites and digital platforms to ensure accurate, engaging content.
• Track communication outcomes and prepare reports on marketing effectiveness and audience engagement.

Skills

Storytelling

Content strategy

Social media management

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications

Tools

Microsoft Office

Graphic design tools

Video editing software

Marketing analytics

Job description

Scientific Communications and Outreach Specialist

Position Type: Admin/Professional

Department: Biomedical Sciences

Full or Part Time: Full Time

Pay Grade: MN8

Summary: The Scientific Communications and OutreachSpecialist plays a direct role in the growth of NEOMED's premierresearch focus areas (Neuroscience of Hearing Research,Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, and the Center forArtificial Intelligence and Digital Experience), as well as ourPh.D. and Master's graduate program (Basic and TranslationalBiomedicine). Responsibilities include expanding program awareness,attracting prospective students and research partners, and buildinga digital presence that reflects the depth and impact of ouracademic and research community through strategic,audience-centered communication, content creation, andcollaboration.

This role requires exceptional storytelling skills with a deepappreciation for academic research and graduate education and theability to transform complex scientific discoveries, facultyexpertise, student successes, and institutional strengths intocompelling narratives that inspire prospective students, strengthenour brand, and drive engagement across diverse audiences.

Principal Functional Responsibilities:

Communications and Marketing

• Identify and develop compelling narratives around facultyresearch, student experiences, and program outcomes that resonatewith prospective students, research collaborators, and fundingpartners.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and current students to gathercontent, stories, and insights that authentically showcase whatmakes our programs distinctive.
• Create compelling written, digital, and visual content forwebsites, newsletters, brochures, presentations, recruitmentmaterials, and advertisements that promote faculty research,student accomplishments, and program milestones.
• Work cross-functionally with academic departments, admissions,and administrative offices to align messaging, support recruitmentgoals, and ensure a cohesive brand experience for prospectivestudents.
• Manage multiple projects and content initiativessimultaneously, meeting deadlines with minimal oversight.
• Maintain and update program websites and digital platforms toensure accurate and engaging content.
• Track communication outcomes and prepare reports on marketingeffectiveness and audience engagement.

Social Media Management and Content Creation

• Develop and manage social media strategies across platformsincluding LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, and others asappropriate.
• Create engaging social media content including graphics,videos, reels, stories, and promotional campaigns that communicatecomplex research and graduate education topics in an approachable,audience-friendly manner.
• Monitor analytics and engagement metrics to assess campaigneffectiveness and optimize outreach strategies.
• Maintain an active and professional online presence thatsupports recruitment and program visibility.
• Stay current with social media trends, higher educationmarketing practices, and audience engagement strategies.

Events and Outreach Support

• Support on-site content capture at program events, includingphotography, video, and live social coverage that can be repurposedfor ongoing recruitment campaigns.
• Coordinate and support recruitment initiatives/activities forprospective PhD students through targeted marketing campaigns andoutreach efforts (recruitment events, open houses, webinars,conferences).
• Assist with the development of recruitment materialshighlighting program outcomes, research opportunities, and studentexperiences.

Other Duties: Perform other related duties asassigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, PublicRelations, Journalism, Life Science, Biomedical Sciences, or arelated field.
• Strong written, editing, and verbal communication skills withthe ability to adapt voice and tone for different audiences andplatforms.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, and with content creationtools including graphic design platforms (e.g. Adobe, Canva), videoediting applications, and marketing/social media analytics.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in higher education, graduate education,healthcare, or scientific/research environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing social media accounts for abrand, organization, or program (professional or freelance).
• Familiarity with neuroscience, biomedical sciences, or STEMacademic programs.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex scientific oracademic information to broad audiences.
• Knowledge of website content management systems and emailmarketing platforms.
• Knowledge of best practices in digital engagement and theirapplications to communication strategies, including through web,email and social media.
• Experience analyzing social media and marketing analytics.
• Exceptional interprofessional and organization skills to workboth independently with initiative and collaboratively as part of ateam.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to utilize a phone,computer and other office equipment.

Department Specific Information:

Join Northeast OhioMedical University's (NEOMED) Department of BiomedicalSciences

NEOMED is a mission-driven, community-basedmedical university committed to educating health professionals,advancing discovery, and improving the health of our region. We areseeking a Program Promotion and CommunicationsSpecialist who wants to contribute to meaningful work in a collaborative academic environment.At our organization, we are committed to fostering acollaborative and team-oriented environment that is essential tofulfilling our mission. We believe every employee should feelappreciated, valued, and empowered. To maintain a supportiveorganizational culture, we seek individuals whose values align withour mission and who thrive in a team-based approach. We encourage individuals whose values align with this collaborative approach toapply.

Starting Salary Range:

$49,120– $58,125,commensurate with experience

Benefits & Perks

NEOMED is committed tosupporting your health, well-being, and long-term success—both atwork and beyond. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed tohelp you thrive.

Healthcare Coverage

• Competitive medical,dental, and vision insurance through Medical Mutual
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account(HSA)
• Short-and long-term disability coverage, Long-term care coverageoptions, and Life insurance

Retirement

State retirement plan with 14% employer matching to help you planfor the future

Paid Time Off

Generous vacation and sick leave, in addition to 11 paid holidayseach year

Additional Benefits

• Hybrid work environment (up to two remote days per week after sixmonths) (Policy#3349-7-151)
• Educational benefits with our partner universities(Policy#3349-07-45)
• Ongoing investment in your professional growth through on-sitetraining and Lean Six Sigma certification
• Employee wellness activities and initiatives that support a healthywork-life balance

NEOMED is committed to providing equal employment opportunitiesto qualified applicants without discrimination on the basis of age,color, disability, gender identity or expression, geneticinformation, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexualorientation, transgender status, status as a parent duringpregnancy and immediately after the birth of a child, status as aparent of a young child, status as a foster parent, veteran statusor any other category protected by applicable state or federal law.As an Equal Opportunity Employer, NEOMED also affirms itscommitment to nondiscrimination in its employment policies andpractices. In compliance with Title IX (20 U.S.C Sec. 1681 etseq.), NEOMED prohibits sex discrimination, including sexualharassment.