Job Description

SCIENCE MEDIA PRESS OFFICER

Salary: \xc2\xa333,000 - \xc2\xa336,000 per annum pro rata

Reports to: Senior Manager (Science Media)

Department: Policy, Information and Communication

Location: Stratford, London w/ high-flex (1 \xe2\x80\x93 2 days per week in the office). Some regional travel may be required in this role.

Employment type: Fixed-term contract until August 2024

Working hours: Full time 35 hours per week (Compressed Hours available)

Closing date: Sunday 3 September 2023, 23:55*

• Please note that we may close this role early should we receive enough interest, therefore early application is encouraged to avoid disappointment.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That\xe2\x80\x99s why we\xe2\x80\x99re looking for someone talented, someone who shares our vision, someone like you.

We have fantastic opportunity to join our fast-paced and exciting press office as part of our Science Media team here at CRUK. We are looking for someone who has experience in a press office and a science background who can bring their own flair and creativity to the role.

As our Science Media Press Officer, you will be writing press releases, helping with communications plans for media campaigns, meeting and pitching stories to journalists, and responding to media requests. You\xe2\x80\x99ll also be part of a busy 24-hr news desk, providing journalists with insight and comments on CRUK\xe2\x80\x99s work as well as on cancer research from around the world.

You\xe2\x80\x99ll develop creative ways to publicise the work of CRUK\xe2\x80\x99s Cancer Research Horizons team, who broker deals with industry worth millions of pounds to commercialise exciting new discoveries in the lab, getting them to people with cancer as quickly as possible.

And you will be central to promoting CRUK\xe2\x80\x99s Clinical Drug Development team, who team up with academic, industry and biotechnology partners across the globe to test drugs in trials, bringing much-needed new treatments to people with cancer.

What will I be doing?

Developing and delivering communication campaigns that showcase the latest scientific breakthroughs in cancer research

Working with our Cancer Research Horizons team, you\xe2\x80\x99ll promote the charity\xe2\x80\x99s multimillion-pound collaborations and developments in cancer research

Working with our funded scientists to turn their research into compelling news stories, features, and opinion pieces

Developing communications plans, which include maximising the opportunities of publicising the work of our commercial teams

Building relationships with journalists and developing and pitching stories to relevant media to deadline

Developing media briefs for leadership and briefing spokespeople on media opportunities

Working on press conference opportunities with journalists to showcase the latest advances in research

Monitoring the performance of media campaigns and feeding into media reports

Keeping abreast of the media in general, spotting trends in changing media consumption, and building relationships with journalists and key opinion leaders.

What skills are you looking for?

Strong communication skills, both written and verbal

Demonstrable experience explaining complex scientific information in a reader-friendly style that translates into media stories

Experience of working in a press office and in science communication / similar role is essential

Able to identify and solve problems with guidance

Can work well under pressure and to multiple deadlines

Uses initiative to prioritise day-to-day tasks and make decisions within established guidelines and policies

Experience of working independently with minimum supervision to an agreed standard

A good knowledge of both the media landscape and UK research landscape.

What will I gain?

Each and every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that\xe2\x80\x99s impressive.

In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies and processes to enable you to do your job well.

Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more.

We don\xe2\x80\x99t forget people have lives outside of work too and so we actively encourage a flexible working culture.

Our work \xe2\x80\x93 from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy \xe2\x80\x93 will change the world. It\xe2\x80\x99s exciting to be part of our team.

To view a full copy of the candidate pack for this role please contact .

How do I apply?

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. You will be required to fill out an online application form, including your work history and application questions. CVs are required for all applications; but we won\'t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview.

There\xe2\x80\x99s a place for everyone at Cancer Research UK. Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We\'re committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented, and believe that a diverse workforce will help us to beat cancer sooner.

If you\xe2\x80\x99re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we\xe2\x80\x99d still love to hear from you. We don\xe2\x80\x99t expect everyone to meet all of the criteria listed.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen by emailing us at .

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.

Cancer Research UK