View Vacancy -- Public Engagement and Communications Officer - Operations Group - Public Engagement - LMB 2695
Open Date
01/09/2025, 08:00
Close Date
29/09/2025, 23:55
Research Institute
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Research Institute / Unit Information
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology and has played an important role in the development of many new techniques, most notably protein crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, DNA sequencing and monoclonal antibodies. The LMB has a clear goal of understanding biological processes at the molecular level, with the ultimate aim of using this knowledge to tackle specific problems in human health and disease. We aim to tackle difficult, long-term problems, which often require investment over many years.
There are four scientific Divisions - Structural Studies, Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Cell Biology and Neurobiology. However, scientific collaboration between the different Divisions is extensive. Scientists are well supported by excellent scientific facilities and by the LMB Operations Group which maintains the core infrastructure and services of the institute.
The LMB provides an unsurpassed environment for both new and established researchers. Scientists are drawn to the LMB from all over the world, thus creating a lively and international community for the exchange of ideas and technical innovation.
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org
Band
MRC - 5
Location
Cambridge
Salary
£29,552- £31,318 per annum (pro-rata for part time)
Contract Type
Fixed Term
Job Type
Administration & Management
Full Time / Part Time
Full or Part Time options
Contract Length
Maternity Cover
Job Description
Overall purpose:
To contribute to the public engagement and communications activities of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), supporting and assisting the Engagement & External Communications Manager in activities such as:
• Public engagement and outreach activity support, monitoring and evaluation
• Organisation of media visits and tours of the Laboratory
• Management of enquiries as part of the LMB News Team
• Drafting news stories and other digital content
• Compliance with LMB brand and editorial guidelines
Main duties/ Key responsibilities:
To assist with the development, promotion, delivery and evaluation of new and existing public engagement activities for key in-person and online events, such as LMB Open Days or the Cambridge Festival, and new longer-term engagement in collaboration with scientists and other Public Engagement team members. Event support and delivery may involve working outside of normal hours, with time off in lieu.
To support the development, promotion, organisation and evaluation of LMB school outreach events with other Public Engagement team members, including coordination of the Microscopes 4 Schools Competition for primary schools.
To coordinate the LMB work experience programme, answering student queries, supporting hosts and ensuring safeguarding requirements are adhered to. To liaise with external work experience organisations to advertise available placements to schools and students. To collect feedback, draft case studies, and ensure the external work experience webpage and intranet information are up to date.
To support internal engagement with members of the LMB to help build capacity for public engagement, reviewing and improving access to public engagement resources.
To draft and edit Insight on Research and LMB News stories, as well as social media content for LMB in the News and Alumni News, in collaboration with other LMB News Team members. To liaise with UKRI Press Office and other stakeholders in the production and release of information. To adhere to confidentiality, embargoes and other restrictions as necessary. To edit and publish LMB website news content using WordPress and post content on the LMB's social media channels.
To organise tours of the LMB for visitors including school and student groups, and act as a tour guide when required.
To organise media visits to the LMB for interviews and filming, liaising with LMB staff and external contacts, seeking necessary approvals and chaperoning visitors.
Working relationships:
This is a hands-on in-person role and involves interactions with staff at all levels.
You will report to the Engagement & External Communications Manager and will be part of the LMB Public Engagement and News Teams.
You will need to develop effective working relationships with members of the LMB, the LMB VisLab and other public engagement and communications staff, so that you are seen as an effective member of the Public Engagement and News and Teams.
You will need to interact effectively with MRC public engagement colleagues, UKRI Corporate Communications team members and other external communications/engagement contacts.
Person Specification
Education / qualifications / training required:
Essential:
Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
Desirable:
Science-related degree.
Qualification in public engagement or science communication.
Previous work experience required:
Essential:
Experience of developing and/or delivering public engagement or outreach activities.
Experience of communicating complex scientific ideas to different target audiences.
Experience in event management.
Experience of using social media.
Desirable:
Experience in digital engagement.
Experience of working with schools and/or developing age-appropriate or curriculum linked activities.
Experience in communications or media work.
Experience of working with academics and researchers.
Knowledge and experience:
Essential:
Sufficient scientific knowledge to understand and translate complex scientific papers into general language accurately and quickly.
Excellent IT skills and a working knowledge of MS Office software.
Desirable:
• Experience of working with images (e.g. sourcing, selecting, adapting for different communication channels).
• Experience of using website content management systems such as WordPress.
Personal skills / behaviours / qualities:
Essential:
Communication
• Strong writing and editorial skills, with great accuracy and attention to detail.
• Good presentation skills and an ability to talk to groups of visitors with different backgrounds (e.g. general audience or scientific community).
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels and enthuse others about the benefits of public engagement.
Initiative and time management
• Ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to use own initiative and work without or under limited supervision.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to apply them whilst under pressure.
Team working
• Effective team member willing to contribute, but respectful of the roles and experience of others.
Personal style and behaviour
• Keen interest in science and the work of the LMB and the MRC as a whole.
• Enthusiastic and pragmatic with a flexible approach to a varied workload.
Further Information
You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI:
• Code of Conduct
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Data Protection policy
Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager.
The above lists are not exhaustive and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post, the MRC and UKRI.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council.
In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.
We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.