What are the responsibilities and job description for the Science Communicator position at University of Alaska?
The Science Communicator works as part of the UAF Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension (IANRE) Communications Team communicating, informing and creating awareness about the Institute’s research and extension activities and their impact on Alaska and the Arctic region. The Science Communicator will:
Write, edit and collaborate in the design of publications translating scientific research for multiple audiences including the general public, policy makers and federal agencies.
Recommend, develop and carry out messaging campaigns, outreach opportunities and
partnerships to educate Alaskans about Alaska’s complex food system and how UAF is working to address this challenge, as well as make recommendations for messaging platforms that are appropriate for the targeted audience and work with IANRE graphic design to implement visual and written elements. Plan and implement communication messages across diverse platforms, including social media. Design visual and written material that is scientifically accurate.
Collaborate with others, including external video producers and photographers, to create video and visual content on scientific topics, the research conducted through IANRE and its impact to be posted on social media and other digital platforms.
Work closely with the IANRE Communications Manager to ensure messaging is coordinated with IANRE communication strategies and goals. Collaborate with the IANRE Communications Team to create synergies and support shared communications initiatives.
Develop and write news and feature articles and other appropriate communication vehicles for distribution to the lay and professional media and other targeted audiences on research conducted at IANRE. Work closely with IANRE Public Information Officer and/or UAF Communications Director to coordinate releases and ensure they meet IANRE and University of Alaska Fairbanks standards.
Proofread, edit and evaluate messages for scientific accuracy, consistency, grammar and clarity.
Assist IANRE researchers in consistent messaging and branding, ADA accessibility and UAF communications regulations to communicate their role as
UAF and IANRE researchers to local and statewide audiences..
Develop and maintain professional contacts and affiliations with news media editors, reporters
and broadcasters to facilitate and promote the dissemination of news and publicity in areas
relevant to food systems and food security in Alaska.
Pro-actively reach out to faculty and administrators at IANRE to identify communications opportunities and topics.
Work with faculty to integrate IANRE research into campus outreach opportunities and events.
To thrive in this role the applicant should be an excellent writer and communicator with an ability to turn complex scientific topics into compelling, easy-to-understand texts and contents; be able to proactively develop science communications themes, contents, and campaigns; feel comfortable working on various messaging and content creation platforms to create and share communications contents with target audiences, have strong social media skills, have excellent interpersonal skills and strong collaborative skills to work within a team and be able to handle multiple tasks at once.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications or related field and two years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Position Details:
This position is located on the Troth Yeddha' campus in Fairbanks Alaska. This is a full-time, non-exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 78, based on education and experience.
Application review will begin on August 24, 2026. To ensure consideration, please submit your application by 11:55 PM Alaska Standard Time on August 23, 2026.
📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.
☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Kenna Metivier, Signers' Business Office at kjmetivier@alaska.edu
This is a term-funded position reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.
*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.
The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu.
The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.
The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.
Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.
All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.
*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.
Access to the reports is available at:
UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu.
UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.
UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.