Job Description

About the Department
The University of Chicago Neuroscience Institute is the intellectual home for a diverse group of scholars and scientists working together to advance our understanding of the brain. Faculty members from Neurobiology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Psychology, Neurology, Psychiatry, Statistics and many other related departments work together to explore how the human brain and our social and physical environments interact. The Institute is responsible for the administration of many initiatives and programs that serve a neuroscience community of 90 faculty members and their labs in departments across BSD, PSD, and SSD. In addition to the on-going programs, we are charged with providing administrative support to the new Center in Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior which will implement many of its own programs in the coming year. This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Job Summary
The job plans, prepares and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the University’s perspectives, programs, and accomplishments. Work is performed with a moderate level of guidance, and typically includes marketing, press relations, creative editorial and design services, and internal communications.

The Website and Communications Specialist manages the public facing media, announcements, and mass communications to the neuroscience community. To properly manage our programs, administrative units, and grants, we need trained, reliable, and efficient staff. The technical expertise required for this position is beyond a typical operations administrator. The Website and Communications Specialist must be knowledgeable in WordPress, Drupal, and HTML and have solid capability with Adobe’s creative suite in order to properly manage the communications for the Institute’s mission. The Neuroscience Institute, Grossman Center for Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior, Committees on Neurobiology and Computational Neuroscience and the Neuroscience Undergraduate Major all operate with requirements of detailed communications organization and regular focus to ensure that our community is appropriately informed and engaged. This position requires someone who is knowledgeable in managing broad communications, event timelines and program schedules.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with leadership to compose and edit official documentation to develop and manage administrative governances and policies.
• Serves as the web content manager for the Neuroscience Institute, Holobrain, NIDA, Committees on Neurobiology, and Computational Neuroscience Websites. Updates the Neuroscience Institute and CON/CNS event calendars within the BSD Excel Sheet, BSD Science emailer and UChicago Calendar.
• Manages all the Neuroscience Social Media channels and develops neuroscience community outreach and engagement strategies.
• Creates and distributes promotional materials and content for the neuroscience events and outreach. Creates and disseminates the weekly neuroscience event newsletter.
• Liaises with the Office of Academic Affairs to manage secondary appointment memberships for the Neuroscience Institute, Grossman Center, Committees on Neurobiology and Computational Neuroscience, which includes but is not limited to, setting up new membership applications, membership seminars and renewals.
• Coordinates with IT services to maintain all audio-visual systems in the Neuroscience Institute and ensure new IT service projects are completed in a timely manner.
• Streamlines organization processes for Institute conference room scheduling and maintenance.
• Engages with the BSD and broader University of Chicago’s Creative and Communications teams to develop new projects and streamline communications between the Institute’s units and the University. Includes but is not limited to, creating logo, website, sign creation, and development of cross-communication promotional materials; managing the Neuroscience News Program by soliciting research updates and publications from Institute faculty, students and postdocs, and working with the BSD and University news & communication groups to develop articles for distribution across the community.
• Develops and maintains institute project management system (Asana). Working with Institute staff to ensure cross-communication of events and project management tools are updated and maintained. Develops databases for use in membership, neuroscience UG major tracking, etc.
• Plans, develops and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization’s programs, accomplishments, or point of view, with moderate levels of guidance and direction.
• Accomplishes assigned duties through two or more of the following: written communications; visual/graphic media, which may include Web site development and maintenance; speeches and personal contact. The incumbent is still acquiring higher-level knowledge and skills.
• Solves a range of straightforward problems, as work assignments are difficult and broad in nature, usually requiring originality and ingenuity.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

•  Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• Experience as a writer and editor.
• Experience in web and digital applications for creating, posting and publishing communications.
• Experience writing for diverse audiences including executive teams, employees, board members, media, policymakers, and the public.
• Experience writing and copyediting articles, newsletters, proposals, reports, profiles, fact sheets, or similar materials across digital and print platforms.
• Experience working in higher education.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Knowledgeable in WordPress, Drupal, and HTML.
• Solid capability with Adobe’s creative suite.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, and reporting and visualization tools.
• Proficiency in multiple virtual event platforms, including Zoom.
• Understanding of Project Management methodologies.
• Familiarity with Associated Press (AP) style.
• Experience translating technical, scientific, or other complex information for a lay audience.
• Experience with digital platforms and Content Management Systems.
• Writing and copy-editing articles, newsletters, proposals, reports, profiles, fact sheets, or similar materials across digital and print platforms.

Preferred Competencies

• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Proven organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and work on multiple projects.
• Excellent editorial judgment, diplomacy, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet aggressive deadlines.
• Results oriented and committed to continuous improvement.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships, motivate and balance internal and external stakeholders.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

How to Apply

Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: communications, editing, Marketing, social media, and writer.

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