Research Communications Specialist

Department

EPIC - Communications

About the Department

The University of Chicago Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth (ICSG) is a groundbreaking effort uniting faculty from across the university to advance society’s understanding of our energy and climate future. The Institute combines faculty insights in energy markets and policy, climate systems engineering, and energy technology to produce world-changing ideas while also investing in the next generation of energy and climate thinkers, leaders, and innovators through novel educational programs.

Job Summary

The Research Communications Specialist will play a central role in conceptualizing, translating, and disseminating the Institute’s research through compelling and innovative communication strategies. This includes producing research summaries, data visualizations, videos, and other products across web, email, social media, and print platforms. The role also involves leveraging data analytics to track the effectiveness of communication tactics, testing new strategies, and refining outreach efforts. Successful candidates will bring expertise in translating complex concepts into engaging materials, supporting research initiatives through tailored communication strategies, and using data-driven insights to enhance audience engagement.

The Research Communications Specialist will report to the Senior Director of Communications and External Engagement and work closely with the Communications and Digital Marketing Manager and the Communications Associate. The Research Communications Specialist will join a passionate team at an exciting moment of significant growth and development for the Institute.

Responsibilities

• Translates complex research and data into compelling written and visual stories and interactives tailored to key stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, and the public. This could include producing research summaries, charts/maps/infographics, and videos. The visualizations could come in the form of web pages, social graphics, presentations, interactive reports, etc.
• Collaborates with researchers and policy experts to ensure communication materials like  data visualization and reports accurately reflect key public policy implications and recommendations.
• Helps to manage research news and programming on the Institute’s web, email marketing, and social platforms. This could include adding new research to the website and drafting email and social media campaigns.
• Tracks and analyzes communication performance, using data-driven insights to inform and refine tactics and developing tools like analytics portals to refine strategies and test new approaches for improved engagement.
• Collaborates with research teams to support ongoing projects by developing tailored communications materials to collect data or conduct research. This includes contributing to website development, UI/UX design, and utilizing behavioral insights to optimize outreach strategies for experimental projects such as Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs).
• Develops, plans, and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, or point of view.
• Solves moderate to complex problems related to the writing, preparation, and/or delivery of information from or about the unit.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in public policy, communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, graphic design, or a related field.

Experience:

• Five years of experience working in a communications, multimedia journalism, or graphic design role.
• Producing written research summaries, professional data visualizations and videos with a strong design aesthetic.
• Those with some knowledge or interest in climate change, energy and environmental topics encouraged to apply.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in Canva, Adobe Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, and Premiere), and data visualization tools such as Flourish and Datawrapper.
• Familiarity with front-end web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Svelte or other development frameworks), and data science programming (R, Python, etc.).
• Knowledge of current trends and best practices in data visualization techniques, video production, and graphic design.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and web-based communication methods and tools such as Mailchimp/Hubspot and WordPress.

Preferred Competencies

• Highly skilled at translating complex data into written and visual forms.
• Exceptional visual skills, including demonstrable design knowledge, including layout, typography, color, interaction design, etc.
• Manage and prioritize diverse job tasks, perform effectively in a fast-paced environment, and meet deadlines in a timely manner while maintaining professionalism and product quality.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, and work both independently with initiative and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Excellent organizational skills, flexibility and attention to detail.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Communications

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$82,000.00 - $84,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.