Science Writer

Khalifa University is a world-class, research-intensive institution in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The University’s mission is to seamlessly integrate research and education to produce world leaders and critical thinkers in science, engineering, and medicine, and also to be a catalyst towards Abu Dhabi’s 2030 vision for a knowledge-based economy. Khalifa University has two campuses in the city of Abu Dhabi – the KU Main Campus and the Sas Al Nakhl Campus, the latter housing two of KU’s flagship research institutes: Masdar Institute and Petroleum Institute.

The Science Writer is responsible for extracting and creating content for external and internal communications that position Khalifa University as a global thought-leader in the Science and Technology arena. These stories serve to explain the relevance and value of the university’s scientific, strategic and economic activities to not only the general UAE public, but also the senior UAE leadership, industry, academia and the international scientific community.

• Create content for the University News website and newsletter
• Develop and write scientific/research-related press releases, features, and op-eds for distribution to the mainstream media and other targeted audiences
• Translate the University’s science and technology research and projects into compelling and interesting articles for the wider audience to understand
• Maintain and regularly update the News website sections
• Maintain and regularly update the Podio research project database, including a summary of the project, achieved outcomes, and impact of research on the UAE society
• Report on conferences, lectures, and other campus activities, to extract news and highlights for publication in media and internal communications
• Write research content for posters, flyers, brochures and/or other collaterals
• Maintain production standards for scientific journals, including the format of text and graphics
• Serve as a gatekeeper to screen articles and press releases through a chain of reviewers, so that feedback from each reviewer is incorporated, approval achieved, and uploaded to the website or sent to the media
• Maintain positive and fruitful relationships with faculty, staff, and students to keep abreast of news, initiatives, research projects/activities, and upcoming events that may deserve coverage in communication materials, such as web articles, press releases, reports, and op-eds
• Conduct interviews and interface with faculty, deans, and administrators on publicizing and promoting their activities and research to the news media
• Provide insight and input for media outreach strategies relating to research activities
• Keep up to date on topics of relevance to Khalifa University’s research domains through research and self-education
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with all departments to ensure cooperative and prompt approvals and the constant flow of requisite information
• Ensure that all communication materials produced and/or revised are clear, concise, accurate, and adhere to the University’s corporate branding guidelines, approved messaging, and style book
• Adhere to the University’s information security and confidentiality policies and procedures, and report breaches or other security risks accordingly
• Coordinate with other departments to facilitate the accomplishment of tasks and responsibilities, as and when needed
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Line Manager

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English, Physical Sciences/Engineering, or related field

Required Experience

• A minimum of 5-7 years of relevant experience