Science Writer, Senior Associate - American Institute of Physics

WHO WE ARE:
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) is a federation of 10 Member Societies which in turn have more than 130,000 members across the globe. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, AIP advances the success of our Member Societies and is an institute that engages in research and analysis to empower positive change in the physical sciences. The mission of AIP (American Institute of Physics) is to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity.

SUMMARY:
This Science Writer will manage multiple projects in a team environment with minimal supervision. Core responsibilities include writing, editing, coordination, production, and dissemination of press releases, technical research summaries, and other media services content geared toward the physical sciences community as well as a nonscientific audience. The overarching goal of the Science Writer is to produce content that promotes the latest research to the scientific community while enhancing public awareness and media coverage of AIP, AIP Publishing journals, and the AIP Member Societies.

Come join a team of energized, collaborative, and passionate individuals and help make a difference through the physical sciences!

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Select, write and edit Scilights for Media Services – 50%

• Identify newsworthy topics from AIP Journals (daily)
• Researches, composes, refines and oversees production of own Scilights, ~3-4/week
• Reviews Scilights written by freelancers and other writers for clarity, grammar, and science
• Oversees production of Scilights written by freelancers and other AIP writers.

Write and edit Press Releases – 25%

• Writes ~one press release per week
• Reviews press releases written by freelancers and other writers for clarity, grammar, science
• Identify newsworthy topics from MS abstracts for meetings

Writes and edits Newsletter Articles – 15%

• Writes ~2-3 newsletter articles per month
• Reviews newsletter articles written by freelancers and other writers for clarity, grammar, science

Support media services on-site services -- 10%

• Arranging press conferences
• Webcasting
• On-site press room staffing
• Travel to scientific meetings and conferences

Additional Responsibilities

• Support Media Services department workflow as needed. Crosstrain on essential roles and provide coverage for various responsibilities when others are out of the office for events, PTO and member society meetings.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING:

• Bachelor’s degree is required, in the Physical Sciences (Physics Preferred)

• Support Media Services department workflow as needed. Crosstrain on essential roles and provide coverage for various responsibilities when others are out of the office for events, PTO and member society meetings.
• Science Communications training or 2+ years of experience in science writing, editing, newsroom journalism, and/or media relations.
• Demonstratable ability to write about physics and other branches of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for a scientific audience as well as a general audience.
• Knowledge of AP style.
• Ability to use content management systems and apply web standards.
• Experience editing science content, basic copyediting, podcasting, webcasting and livestreaming a plus.

TO APPLY:

Include a resume, a cover letter, and a writing sample. We encourage you to apply even if your experience does not fully match the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.


WHY JOIN US:

AIP embraces a flexible hybrid work environment to balance in-person collaborative work with remote work. The team works in a flexible, hybrid schedule and reports to our offices in College Park, Maryland and Washington, DC as needed. That one day per week is flexible, depending on the schedule for a given week. Employees are required to reside in the metro DMV area (Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC).

We offer comprehensive benefits, including generous paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, an annual retirement contribution of 10% of base pay, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and more.

Your colleagues at AIP are welcoming, gracious, and eager to help each other succeed. With our commitment to community service, institute-wide social opportunities, and ongoing learning and development, AIP is a rewarding place to work.