"Communications Officer"

University of Leeds - Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) Project - School of Physics & Astronomy

Location:	Leeds
Salary:	£33,951 to £39,906 Grade 6 / pro rata
Hours:	Part Time
Contract Type:	Fixed-Term/Contract
Placed On:	22nd December 2025
Closes:	19th January 2026
Job Ref:	EPSPA1133

Would you like to join a ground-breaking international project working with developing countries in Africa? Are you able to communicate to a broad audience using websites and social media? Do you want to work as part of an international team?

As Communications Officer of the Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) Project (www.dara-project.org) you will take the lead on communicating the activities and successes of the project to a wide audience, across a range of channels.

DARA aims to develop high tech skills using radio astronomy in a number of African countries. Radio astronomy encompasses all of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills that underpin the emergence of a strong developed economy.

You will develop the project's website to provide up-to-date information around training opportunities, as well as longer-form articles about project activities. You will also use social media to broadcast news, events, and successes of the project. You will be involved in gathering evidence to assess the impact of the project that will lead to a submission of an impact case for REF2029.

You will work closely with the Project Manager and the Principal Investigator (PI) to effectively communicate the project to key stakeholders including young African scientists, academic team members in UK and African institutions, policy makers and the general public.

You will have excellent communication skills and a track record of website and/or social media communications for project dissemination. You will also have willingness to work with partners in African countries. You must be able to work flexibly, independently and collaboratively. Experience in communicating STEM subjects is desirable.

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Dr Emma Smith, Project Manager for the DARA project
Email: E.C.Smith1@leeds.ac.uk