SENIOR SCIENCE WRITER & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

ABOUT US:

Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We celebrated our 100-year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID-19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program. Scripps Research encompasses two elite and highly innovative institutes, the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and Scripps Research Translational Institute, which merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.

POSITION TITLE: Senior Science Writer & Communications Officer

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for the duties of primary writer, editor and point person for communicating the Institute's scientific excellence and impact through our earned, owned, and paid channels. Includes identifying feature story and news ideas, interviewing and coordinating with institute leadership, faculty, students, and other sources, and writing accessible, accurate and engaging copy.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Partners closely with the executive team and serve as a thought leader in meeting short-term financial goals, while also maintaining the foundation for long-term strategy to ensure Scripps Research's financial commitments are met - internally and externally.
• Drives annual budgeting and forecasting, and long-range financial planning for the institute, including creating comprehensive documents for both leadership and the board.
• Supports Scripps Research's leadership by maximizing opportunities in new initiatives /strategic investments, evaluating processes to drive efficiencies, and measuring outcomes.
• Identifies process gaps and implement solutions to increase transparency, speed, and automation to enable best-in-class forecasting, measurement tools and processes.
• Is responsible for all financial analyses and management reporting, forecasting and post-close
• Write a high volume of press releases, news, award updates and other content to support and promote the work of Scripps Research scientists
• Helps to manage related press releases, making sure releases are routed to stakeholders for review, support journal embargo periods, utilize outreach channels such as EurekAlert and Cision, and pitch under embargo
• Stay up to date on related communications best practices
• Serve as a writer for the Institute's award-winning magazine (print and digital versions)
• Create video scripts for social media, press release videos, feature videos
• Create appropriate content for multiple media avenues, including for our award-winning podcast
• Oversee web copy for scientific areas of the website (e.g., lab and faculty pages)
• Collaborate within the department to cultivate relationships with science media and implement effective strategies for Scripps Research media coverage (print, broadcast, digital)
• Produce written and multimedia content (social media, podcasts, print, websites, videos, event-related collateral)
• Responsible for interviewing scientists about the research
• Ability to write stories/releases for non-scientific audiences
• Write white papers on scientific topics for internal initiatives, collateral and philanthropy outreach materials
• Details of established essential functions for this position will be addressed/discussed during the interview process.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or public relations
• Minimum 5 years' experience as reporter, media relations or public relations professional
• Experience in higher education research process
• Require reading and comprehension of highly technical scientific papers
• Demonstrated experience writing in Associated Press Style
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• Experience working with Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)
• While subject to change based on business needs, this is an on-campus position requiring a minimum of 4 days per week working onsite from our La Jolla campus, with flexibility to work 1 day per week remotely from home.
• This position will provide additional in-person support with staffing of department events as needed.

COMPENSATION:

The expected hiring range for this position is $105,000 to $115,000/annually, commensurate with experience. Consideration will be given to experience that exceeds the listed requirements.

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Employer Contributed Retirement Plan - Depending on eligibility, employees receive an employer contributed retirement plan (no employee contribution required) and the option to contribute to a 403(b) (which is similar to a 401(k) using your own pre or post-tax dollars)
• Full Suite of Health and Welfare plans including three medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical/Dependent Care)
• Competitive vacation and sick leave policies
• Free, on-site parking

The above statements describe the level of work performed and expected in general terms. The statements are not intended to list all the responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of employees so classified, and the content herein is subject to change due to the business needs of Scripps Research, with or without notice. Furthermore, nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the employment-at-will status of Scripps Research staff.

EEO Statement:

The Scripps Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote diversity of thought, culture, and background in the fields of science. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.