UC San Francisco is one of the world's preeminent health sciences universities, consistently top-ranked in research, health care, and graduate-level biomedical education. We are looking to hire a seasoned biomedical science communicator to join us as a science writer & media relations representative, formally a Senior Public Information Representative (SPIR), as we build our communications team.

The SPIR oversees and implements comprehensive media/communications campaigns and serves as a specialist in advancing UCSF's reputation and brand through the news media as well as our owned platforms, working strategically with faculty and leadership to guide external communications about their work. This includes preparing faculty for media interviews, providing counsel/training on media response, addressing sensitive and/or complex institutional policies or practices, and serving on emergency response teams, as needed.

Tactics include news releases, web stories, fact sheets, media pitches, talking points, video scripts, social media posts, etc., that usually require translating science or medical innovations into language for the general public. SPIRs also collaborate with Communications colleagues to identify opportunities for producing video, podcasts and infographics and contributes to those projects as the subject matter expert.

This position will cover a variety of research beats, identifying strategic and newsworthy stories in basic, translational and population-level biomedical science that represent UCSF's research excellence and advance its reputation. They will develop materials to tell these stories via our own platforms and work with journalists at the local and national level to place high-impact stories in our target outlets.
Key qualifications and experience we're looking for:

• A deep understanding of science communications, with the ability to distill complex science into clear language for a variety of audiences
• Strong writing, editing, and project management skills
• Advanced knowledge of media relations with a record of substantial media placements; familiarity with news and social media, and relationships with science/tech journalists
• 5-10 years of related work, with significant experience reporting on the biomedical sciences, computational health and public or global health, preferably in a research or health sciences setting (advanced degree preferred)
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to fast-changing opportunities and challenges
• Advanced judgment, analytical and decision-making skills, with diplomacy for navigating sensitive
• A flexible, "can-do" attitude and collaborative team spirit is a must.

Public Affairs includes one team focused on UCSF's research and education missions, the other focused on the clinical enterprise, UCSF Health. Both teams work closely together to advance the strategic goals of the full UCSF enterprise and to promote our commitment to our community and the underprivileged as part of our public mission.

UCSF Public Affairs is a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment involving substantial multitasking. It also is a fun, dynamic place to work, made up of bright, talented, motivated colleagues who bring a variety of communications skills to their roles and provide significant support to one another - we function as a team. We seek another strong communicator and colleague to join our efforts.

Public Affairs actively supports UCSF's PRIDE Values of Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity & Excellence. Candidates representing San Francisco's diverse communities are encouraged to apply.

To see the salary range for this position (we recommend that you make a note of the job code and use that to look up): TCS Non-Academic Titles Search (ucop.edu)

Please note: The compensation ranges listed online for roles not covered by a bargaining unit agreement are very wide, however a job offer will typically fall in the range of 80% - 120% of the established mid-point. An offer will take into consideration the experience of the final candidate AND the current salary level of individuals working at UCSF in a similar role.

For roles covered by a bargaining unit agreement, there will be specific rules about where a new hire would be placed on the range.

To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html