Communications Specialist

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The Michigan Neuroscience Institute (MNI) seeks an experienced Communications Specialist to lead the institute's strategic and operational communications efforts. This position serves as the primary communications professional for the institute and is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy that advances MNI's visibility, strengthens its institutional brand, and effectively communicates its research, programs, and initiatives to internal and external audiences.

Working closely with institute leadership, faculty investigators, and central University of Michigan and Michigan Medicine communications teams, the Communications Specialist manages MNI’s core communications platforms -- including the institute website, newsletters, digital channels, and key messaging initiatives -- and develops compelling content that highlights faculty achievements, research discoveries, and institutional priorities.

This role requires a communications professional who can translate complex academic and scientific work into clear, engaging communications for diverse audiences while maintaining consistent messaging aligned with institute and University standards. The Communications Specialist will help ensure that MNI's research impact and institutional initiatives are communicated effectively across the University community and the broader neuroscience and scientific landscape.

While the primary focus of this position is strategic and operational communications, the role may also provide limited editorial and narrative support for research-related initiatives, including assisting with summaries or narrative sections of interdisciplinary proposals, concept papers, or development materials. This support focuses on clarity, messaging, and audience alignment and does not replace dedicated grant development or scientific writing roles.

The ideal candidate is a highly skilled communications professional who combines excellent writing and editorial ability with strong organizational and project management skills, sound judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in a collaborative academic research environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Messaging (Approximately 40%)

Lead the development and implementation of strategic communications for the Michigan Neuroscience Institute.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that supports MNI's mission and strategic priorities.
• Strengthen the institute's visibility across the University of Michigan and within the national and international neuroscience community.
• Advise institute leadership on communications priorities, messaging, and audience engagement.
• Ensure consistent messaging and brand alignment across all institute communications channels.
• Identify and promote major research discoveries, faculty achievements, and institutional initiatives.
• Coordinate messaging with Michigan Medicine and University communications offices to align with institutional communications strategies.
• Monitor communications performance metrics (e.g., website engagement, newsletter performance) and recommend improvements.

Digital Communications & Content Development (Approximately 35%)

Develop and manage communications content that highlights MNI's research, programs, and initiatives.

• Manage and maintain the MNI website, ensuring content accuracy, clarity, and accessibility.
• Plan, write, edit, and distribute institute newsletters and recurring communications.
• Write feature stories and research highlights showcasing faculty discoveries and institute initiatives.
• Develop communications materials including annual reports, presentations, and digital content.
• Support digital engagement strategies, including appropriate use of social media and other communications platforms.
• Coordinate digital assets such as photography, video, and visual content that support institute messaging.
• Maintain consistency in voice, style, and messaging across communications materials.

Community Engagement & Institute Communications (Approximately 15%)

Support communications related to institute engagement activities and faculty initiatives.

• Promote institute seminars, symposia, and major events through coordinated communications efforts.
• Support communications related to faculty recruitment announcements, research initiatives, and institute milestones.
• Develop faculty profiles and research highlights for the institute website and communications channels.
• Maintain targeted communications lists and support communications with institute members and stakeholders.
• Serve as a liaison between MNI and communications professionals across the University of Michigan and Michigan Medicine to identify opportunities for collaboration and amplification of research stories.

Research & Grant Narrative Support (Approximately 10%)

Provide limited editorial and narrative support for research initiatives and interdisciplinary collaborations.

• Editing or refining narrative sections of research proposals, concept papers, or white papers.
• Assisting faculty teams in translating complex research concepts into clear summaries for broader audiences.
• Supporting development-facing research narratives and impact summaries in collaboration with University Development partners.
• Preparing executive summaries or research descriptions related to institute initiatives.

This work is primarily editorial and communications-focused and does not replace dedicated grant administration or scientific writing roles.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
• Three to five or more years of professional communications experience.
• Demonstrated excellence in writing and editing for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and leadership.
• Experience managing website content using a content management system.
• Experience producing newsletters, digital communications, and marketing materials.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining strong collaboration with institutional partners.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education, academic medicine, or research environments.
• Experience translating scientific or technical concepts for non-specialist audiences.
• Familiarity with institutional communications and media relations processes.
• Experience analyzing communications performance metrics and engagement data.
• Experience supporting communications related to research initiatives or interdisciplinary programs.

Work Environment

The Communications Specialist operates within a collaborative academic research environment and works closely with institute leadership, faculty investigators, trainees, and administrative staff. The role requires initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple communications priorities while maintaining alignment with institutional communications standards.

Role Impact

The Communications Specialist plays a central role in shaping how the Michigan Neuroscience Institute communicates its research discoveries, institutional initiatives, and faculty achievements. Through strategic communications leadership and effective storytelling, this role helps elevate MNI's visibility, strengthen engagement across the University of Michigan community, and highlight the institute’s contributions to advancing neuroscience research.