Director, Research & Science Communications

Director, Research & Science Communications

Hiring Department: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research

Location: Chicago, IL

Requisition ID:1033535

Posting Close Date: May 19, 2025

Salary: The budgeted salary range for the position is $130,000 - $150,000. The final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints.


About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent 'Best Colleges' rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Benefits eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package which offers: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability & AD&D insurance; a defined benefit pension plan; paid leaves such as Vacation, Holiday and Sick; tuition waivers for employees and dependents. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

This position reports to the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) at the University of Illinois Chicago with a primary focus on research communications from the VCR, research storytelling, national media pitching and related responsibilities. This role is for a highly motivated communicator and avid media consumer who can translate their awareness of national topics into successful pitches to tell research stories and earn media coverage about UIC research. Compose and edit content for diverse audiences, weave strategic approaches to managing various digital components and lead a project from inception to completion. Create and distribute content that supports the institution's mission and goals, promote its successes and achievements, inform and engage its stakeholders and ensure the integrity of its brand with audience-focused communications based on data, best practices and emerging trends. The position directly collaborates with its key partners in the Office of Strategic Marketing & Communications (OVCSMC), but also with UI Health, UIC's 16 academic and health sciences colleges, industry partners, and community and government agencies.

Duties and Responsibilities

OFFICE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR RESEARCH (OVCR) COMMUNICATIONS

• Ensure comprehensive and effective internal communications within OVCR. Serve as a central communication point between various research departments with OVCR to ensure seamless information flow, minimizing communication gaps and enhancing collaborative efforts.
• Lead communications efforts in response to emerging research-related changes or issues, working closely with university leadership to manage sensitive topics and produce consistent, accurate and timely messaging. Ensure effective dissemination of research-related information across the university's departments and research teams.
• Draft remarks or talking points for Vice Chancellor presentations, develop presentation materials, and draft and edit campus communications.
• Oversee the development, content management, and user experience of the Office for Research's website, ensuring it remains up to date with the latest research news, initiatives, funding opportunities, and relevant resources for faculty and researchers.
• Collaborate with IT and design teams to continuously improve the site's functionality, layout and accessibility.
• Supervise staff who contribute to website and communications projects.
  

CONTENT CREATION

• Curate stories and features to elevate the positioning of UIC's research.
• Distill research leads into pitchable, bullet point summaries to favorably position UIC's research strengths and obtain media/event coverage.
• Gather and compile thorough background information and multimedia on research activity to accompany pitches to support reporter needs.
• Write excerpts and other short-form content as needed for digital. Adjust verbiage based on audience needs and platform.
• Write press releases, story tips and media advisories. Other materials and outlets could include but not limited to website content, newsletter content, fact sheets, scripts for digital products, announcements, and updates for programmatic opportunities media pitches.
• Translate/edit scientific and clinical language and jargon into accessible and compelling language for diverse audiences.
• Collaborate with OVCSMC teams (university communications, storytelling and content strategy, brand engagement and creative communications, digital engagement, digital media and marketing, analytics and alignment) to execute integrated marketing and communications plans that advance the university's research-related priorities and goals.
• Manage production of own publications/communications and adhere to deadlines.
• Develop, compile and edit supplemental materials that support written communication (i.e., backgrounders, biographies, executive talking points, and other related materials).

CONTENT DISTRIBUTION AND MEDIA RELATIONS

• Actively monitors key media outlets trending themes in media to inform research-related content strategy and timing of pitching.
• Research and become familiar with key publications and their reporters to better identify angles and approaches for effective pitches based on marketing goals.
• Establish and maintain extensive contacts with key sources (media, news services, community organizations and other targeted audiences) to identify story themes and newsworthy events to promote and disseminate information.
• Upload and distribute science- and research-related news releases to EurekAlert.
• Arrange and facilitate media interviews for researchers, scholars and experts.
• Pitch UIC research activity as well as UIC researchers, scholars and experts as leading sources for regional, national and international media, including niche trade, academic societies/organizations and industry publications.
• Provide input for UIC Experts Guide submissions that ladder up to overall content strategy efforts. Pitch these faculty based on trending events.
• Assist with identifying faculty leads for content strategy planning and promotion.
• Evaluate the success of efforts to obtain earned media coverage and provide input to team on opportunities for improvement.
• Provide support for research- and/or industry-related events and initiatives and proactively create and enhance the team's project management system.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in journalism, communications or discipline related to this position and at least 5 years of experience in research and scientific journalism, science communications or related field, with a proven ability to distill complex research into accessible content
• Master's degree or PhD in research or science communications, journalism and/or advanced degree in life sciences, innovation, health care, etc. strongly preferred
• Communications experience in a nonprofit, national laboratory, or other research institution, including academia or industry a plus
• Excellent writing, interpersonal and oral communication skills with proven ability to present, write, edit, and organize thoughts in a clear, concise and well-organized manner
• Solid knowledge of branding guidelines and desires to protect and promote the university's reputation
• Working knowledge of the function and needs of media relations outlets
• Working knowledge of communicating with a variety of audiences
• Working knowledge of traditional and emerging media
• Working knowledge of using digital platforms to compile and distribute content
• Ability to pitch compelling story angles to regional and national media outlets
• Ability to stay current on national and global topics trending in the media
• Ability to work in digital platforms and environments to distribute content
• Strong writing and editing skills; proven success in writing and editing for publications in print, web, video and other platforms
• Ability to change voice and writing style to fit a particular audience and purpose
• Ability to understand materials of research complexity and synthesize across multiple sources to produce materials for diverse audiences
• Ability to assist with multiple issues or requests on rolling deadlines
• Avid media consumer
• Interacts well with campus partners, staff and administrators
• Works independently and collaboratively
• Firm understanding of web technologies and applications, including social networking, social media tools, and current communication trends
  Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Adobe Suite and project management tools/platforms
• Organized and strong attention to detail
  
  

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation


To apply, visit https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/14624?c=uic







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