Staff Writer

About the Division of University Relations.

The Division of University Relations represents an integrated approach to Communications (Brand Communications, News, Media Relations and Strategic Communications) and Government Relations (Community, State and Federal). More than 50 University Relations communicators collaborate with and provide support to the colleges, schools and administrative units within the university.

The News Office develops and manages the primary university communications. Their role is to identify, develop, edit and disseminate compelling stories about Cornell University’s research, programs, people and strategic priorities, to promote the university as a world-class institution of excellence in teaching, research and public engagement.

The Opportunity

The News staff publishes the Cornell Chronicle, the university’s official source of news and information, including breaking research news, administrative announcements and in-depth features documenting Cornell’s impact within its community and around the world, the Cornell Chronicle’s website is updated daily. News highlights are shared in a daily email digest Mondays through Thursdays, and in a weekly email digest distributed to faculty, staff, students and subscribers on Fridays during the academic year.

In this fast-paced and dynamic newsroom environment, staff writers play a key role promoting and raising the visibility of Cornell University to a wide variety of internal and external audiences in support of the university strategic priorities. The position requires excellent interviewing skills, and the ability translate research for the lay audience. Writers typically juggles multiple stories and priorities while meeting tight deadlines.

This is a full-time position located in Ithaca, NY, an active and diverse community to work and thrive in!  This is an on-campus position, and the selected candidate will be expected to relocate to the area; there is no relocation assistance provided.  Remote work out of state or the region is not an option for this role.

Compensation:  The position will be offered at between $64,000 - $68,000/annual and will be based on the final candidate’s skills and experience.

Key Responsibilities

These include, but are not limited:

• Identifying, developing, reporting, drafting, writing and

• Exercising news judgment to produce and shape the narrative of innovation and impact across Cornell’s campuses, through a mix of straightforward news stories and in-depth, multimedia-rich features and profiles.

• Evaluating stories for their potential external media impact, and regularly collaborating with colleagues in Brand Communications and Strategic Communications, as well as college, school and unit-level communicators, to deliver highly visual and interactive storytelling packages with cohesive messaging.

What You Need

• Bachelor’s degree plus 2-4 years of full-time journalism experience and/or or equivalent combination of education and communications experience.

• Excellent story sourcing, reporting, writing, editing, proofreading skills; published clips and examples of high-quality, high-impact storytelling.

• Demonstrated experience with, and comprehension of, writing about science and/or technology. Keen interest in innovation and reporting on scientific developments.

• Experience and comfort juggling and organizing multiple assignments and producing publishable content on tight deadlines.

• Ability to establish and maintain strong and collaborative working relationships with key constituencies

• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills, especially collaboration and networking.

• Fluency in AP style writing and editing.

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion and well-being.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is situated in picturesque Ithaca, New York, the heart of the Finger Lakes. Ithaca is home to two academic institutions, state parks, waterfalls, gorges, and a wid