Senior Science Writer, Nicholas School

Duke University:

 

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

 

 

 

 

OCCUPATIONAL SUMMARY

As part of the Nicholas School Marketing & Communications team and working closely with the Associate Dean of Marketing & Communications (AD) for Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, the Senior Science Writer will develop, integrate, and coordinate messaging in a unified voice across all communications platforms and serves as the chief science writer for the school.

 

Research, prepare, and write articles and feature stories highlighting research done within Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, for distribution through Nicholas and Duke communications channels to the lay public, media and other targeted audiences  including alumni and prospective students.

 

Develop and maintain working relationships with faculty and students within the Nicholas School and at Duke, publicizing and promoting their research for internal and external audiences.

 

Cultivate and maintain professional contacts and affiliations with news editors, reporters, and outlets at the local, regional, and national levels, to facilitate and promote the dissemination of news and publicity in areas relevant to science and research related to the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, collaborating with Duke’s Office of Marketing & Communications.

 

WORK PERFORMED

40% Senior Writer at NSOE:

 

·         Write or oversee the production of all news releases, news tips, op-eds, media pitches, video releases, and other materials targeted to mainstream electronic and print media, and implement their distribution and any subsequent outreach.

·          Working with NSOE and related faculty, track upcoming papers, coordinating with school and department communicators, meeting with researchers, and coordinating release plans

·         Serve as a senior writer for Nicholas Narratives, our digital story collection.

 

30% Dean’s Communications:

 

·         Write and oversee the Dean’s Weekly Updates, assuring that the information conveyed is accurate and timely and equitably acknowledges the achievements of faculty, staff, students, and alumni from all three academic divisions.

·         Draft speeches, talking points, briefings, and other documents for the dean for a variety of audiences.

·         Act as the lead liaison with the Faculty Council to explore ways to spotlight Nicholas School research that supports the dean’s goals and the school’s messaging.

 

20% Strategy/Media:

 

·         Along with the NSOE MarComs team, contribute to the generation of strategic content using innovative new mechanisms to widely transmit knowledge created by NSOE faculty and students to key audiences. Use analytics to track and qualify results.

·          Work closely with the AD and the NSOE MarComs team to develop a comprehensive communication strategy for the school, including an annual calendar and timetable for implementing key components of the strategy.

·         Work closely with the Associate Dean to analyze yearly assessments of the school's digital and written assets and develop proactive plans for the creation of new written assets.

·          Track all media coverage and produce quarterly reports that provide quantifiable metrics of placement totals and types.

·         Provide media training to faculty, staff, and students as needed.

 

10% Liaison with Central Duke and other Duke collaborators:

 

·         Serve as liaison wi