Media Relations Post Master's Student - Science Writer

Media Relations Post Master's Student - Science Writer

The Communications Office in the Communications and Public Affairs (CPA) Division has an immediate opening for a Graduate Research Assistant in external media relations. This is a one-year position with the possibility of renewal based on performance and available funding. The selected candidate will provide support to the media relations team, under the supervision of the media relations team leader.

The student will be involved in several activities which may include:

• Assist with executing a wide variety of media-relations outreach and supporting activities that achieve valuable media placements promoting the Laboratory’s national security science mission and multi-disciplinary scientific capabilities.
• With direction from senior team members, engage in enterprise journalism within the Laboratory to seek out and report on newsworthy mission- and science-related developments for targeted external audiences and media.
• Help secure placement for Laboratory-generated science and national security-related articles, videos, op-eds, blog posts, infographics, and other content with national science, national security-related and general audience media outlets.
• Develop responses to media inquiries and questions for approval.
• Assist as needed in implementing social media strategy through day-to-day posts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and other emerging/relevant social media tools.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Demonstrated writing ability, preferably in the areas of science or national security.

• Ability to work as a member of a team and take guidance and direction from more senior colleagues.
• Strong written, oral, interpersonal, and interviewing skills.

Desired Skills

• Ability to write a variety of articles, including news releases and features, translating complex concepts into communications pieces for a general audience.
• Ability to analyze the content, audience, and bias of news media outlets as prospects for placing articles on Laboratory science.
• Basic understanding of the principles of communications via social media and other digital media channels.

Education

Master’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, or related degree completed within the past 3 years or soon to be completed, with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.

Notes to Applicants: For full consideration, applicants must submit a comprehensive cover letter that addresses how their experience represents the key requirements. The position can be found by searching by vacancy name or job title on the LANL Jobs site at https://lanl.jobs

•         Vacancy Name: IRC73704
•         Job Title: Media Relations Post Master’s Student

Additional Details:

No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.

Where You Will Work

Located in northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary scientific research institution engaged in national security science.  LANL enhances national security by ensuring the safety, security and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, physics, environment, materials, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.

The Communications and Public Affairs (CPA) Division represents and promotes the Laboratory to a range of stakeholders, including employees, the national security and scientific community, the media, and neighboring communities. Our mission is to promote understanding of the Laboratory and build relationships with employees and stakeholders to advance Los Alamos as the premier national security science Laboratory.  CPA is comprised of three offices: the Communications Office (CO), the Community Partnerships Office (CPO), and Communication Arts and Services (CAS).