Overview
The Science Writer serves the Office of Communications by developing news and feature stories for internal and external audiences that highlight the national and global impact of Princeton University's research and education in the sciences. This position also contributes ideas and content for social media, media outreach, and other communications initiatives. Working closely with the Office of Communications' multimedia team, the Science Writer helps create engaging content across a variety of formats, including articles, videos, and infographics.
The Science Writer focuses primarily on Princeton's physical, natural, and life sciences, while also supporting coverage of interdisciplinary research that spans areas such as engineering, psychology, and other academic fields. As needed during high-volume periods, this position may also contribute to general news coverage and assist with stories on colleagues' beats, including the humanities, social sciences, and campus life.
The successful candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Above all, the Science Writer must be an exceptional communicator with strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, and the ability to build productive relationships with faculty, researchers, administrators, and campus partners. Developing and maintaining sources across Princeton's scientific community is a key aspect of this role.
The Science Writer must also be able to identify the significance and broader relevance of scholarly research, even when those implications are not immediately apparent, and evaluate its strategic value for University communications. Under the guidance of the Managing Editor, the Science Writer will support office priorities and contribute to broader University communications goals through a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach.
The Science Writer also helps conceptualize, write, and edit content for the University's homepage, social media channels, and key print, video, and digital projects. This position plays a deadline-driven role in shaping and reviewing communications materials to ensure they meet editorial standards, achieve strategic objectives, and align with University style guidelines. The role may also include advising communicators and science writers from other campus units, including editing and developing stories for publication on the University homepage.
Responsibilities
Promote Princeton's Teaching, Research, and Service Missions
- Work to ensure broad internal and external coverage of the University's teaching, research, and service missions, with a particular emphasis on science.
- Develop story ideas, identify research news opportunities, and produce compelling news and feature stories for the University homepage, institutional publications, external media audiences, and social media platforms. Collaborate closely with multimedia staff to create engaging storytelling across multiple formats.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, and communications partners across campus to identify story opportunities and cultivate sources within Princeton's scientific research community.
- Serve as a collaborative resource for communications partners and connect faculty and staff with colleagues across the Office of Communications, including the Social Media, Media Relations, Internal Communications, and Multimedia teams.
- Help coordinate the dissemination of news and information across University communications channels.
- Provide support for general news coverage and assist with coverage of other editorial team members' beats, including the humanities, social sciences, and campus life, as needed during peak periods.
- Contribute to the development of editorial content for major print, digital, and multimedia projects produced by the Office of Communications and campus partners.
- Partner with stakeholders to develop, refine, and finalize content that meets communications objectives and editorial standards.
Support Communications Operations and Team Goals
- Actively participate in team meetings and planning discussions.
- Maintain accurate records of stories, projects, and communications activities in designated tracking systems and databases.
- Assist with the coverage and promotion of major University events, including Commencement and Opening Exercises.
- Pursue ongoing professional development to stay current with best practices in science communication, journalism, and digital storytelling.
- Regularly communicate workload, priorities, and project status to the Managing Editor to ensure effective allocation of resources and timely completion of assignments.
- Contribute to achieving broader Office of Communications goals and priorities.
Qualifications
Essential Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Four to six years of professional experience in a fast-paced writing, journalism, communications, or public relations environment.
- Demonstrated experience translating complex research for broad audiences.
- Strong understanding of current developments and emerging trends in the sciences, as well as a broad awareness of news and current events.
- Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and interviewing skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and digital content management systems such as Drupal.
- Experience collaborating on multimedia projects, including video, photography, graphic design, or other digital storytelling initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of AP Style.
Preferred Qualifications
- Educational background in a scientific discipline or significant experience covering science-related topics.
- Experience working in higher education or a university setting.
- Familiarity with social media platforms and digital audience engagement strategies.
Application Requirements
Please submit a cover letter and resume with your application.
Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.
If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.
The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.
Standard Weekly Hours
36.25
Eligible for Overtime
No
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Probationary Period
180 days
Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail)
No
Physical Capacity Exam Required
No
Valid Driver's License Required
No
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Salary Range
$89,000 to $101,000