Alda Civic Science Fellow

Stony Brook University•Stony Brook, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Alda Civic Science Fellow in Strategic Science Engagement Systems will work to integrate strategy into science communication practice while maintaining commitments to ethical, equity-oriented, reciprocal, and respectful engagement. As a member of the Civic Science Fellows Program, the Fellow will become part of a network of early-career leaders working to catalyze progress toward a future where all people can shape science to expand its benefits and horizons. The Fellow will be embedded within the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, an internationally recognized leader in science communication research, training, and practice. Working alongside interdisciplinary experts, experienced trainers, researchers, and an extensive national and global network of collaborators, the Fellow will operate at the intersection of research and practice to help advance infrastructure, culture, and shared tools for science communication and civic science. The Fellow will also help amplify and extend the Center’s emerging work across professional and practitioner networks to increase its reach and impact. This on-site position requires relocation to Long Island, NY and will include travel. This is initially an 18-month soft-money position that may be renewable pending availability of funds. The position advances research, resource development, and field-building initiatives that strengthen strategic approaches to science communication and public engagement. This work contributes to a broader effort to make science engagement more evidence-based, reflexive, reciprocal, and aligned with community priorities. The Fellow will also help develop and deliver Alda Center workshops, training activities, and dissemination efforts that advance ethical, equity-oriented, and evidence-based science communication practices aligned with the Center’s mission. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role works closely with Center staff, faculty, and research collaborators, and engages regularly with current and former Civic Science Fellows, partner organizations, and broader science communication and civic science communities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Public Health, Public Policy, or other social science-related field with a strong background in social science research.
Three (3) years of full-time professional experience in science communication either as a scientist, social scientist, science communication practitioner, instructor, and/or science communication trainer.
Knowledge of and experience with strategic communication, program design, or evaluation.
Superior writing and oral communication abilities.
Interest in and experience with linking communication research and practice.
Demonstrated experience designing and managing projects.
Interest in advancing science communication as a strategic, ethical, and equity-oriented form of public engagement.

Nice To Haves

Advanced Degree in Communication, Public Health, Public Policy, or social science-related field.
Experience working in public affairs and strategic communication.
Experience working with media relations, digital media, social media content, and/or video production.
Depth of knowledge in the science of science communication.

Responsibilities

Design and conduct interviews, focus groups, surveys, and/or related social science research activities with Civic Science Fellows, hosts, partners, and other stakeholders.
Conduct landscape analyses related to strategic science communication and civic science practices.
Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to identify practitioner needs, gaps, and opportunities for resource development.
Synthesize findings into internal reports, presentations, or recommendations that inform project direction.
Complete planned research activities according to project timelines and approved protocols.
Produce high-quality summaries, analyses, and recommendations that inform toolkit/resource development.
Demonstrate sound research methods, ethical data collection, and organized documentation practices.
Deliver findings in formats usable by internal and external stakeholders.
Develop practical strategic science communication resources, including toolkits, communication planning canvases, ethical reflection guides, audience insight templates, and evaluation tools.
Translate research and scholarship into accessible, field-ready materials for civic science communication practitioners.
Pilot tools and resources with Alda programs, Civic Science Fellows, and partner organizations.
Gather feedback, assess usability, and revise materials based on stakeholder input and evaluation findings.
Deliver project milestones and core fellowship products on schedule.
Produce high-quality, evidence-based, user-friendly resources appropriate for broad dissemination.
Demonstrate iterative improvement of materials informed by pilot feedback.
Contribute to completion of at least one major open-access toolkit/resource package or equivalent deliverable.
Participate actively in Civic Science Fellows shared learning and networking activities, including periodic convenings
Represent the Alan Alda Center within the national Civic Science Fellows network and at relevant meetings, conferences, or events.
Build and maintain productive relationships with current and former Fellows, host organizations, and external collaborators.
Share progress, lessons learned, and resources with the Civic Science Fellows community.
Attend and engage consistently in required Civic Science Fellows activities.
Maintain positive professional relationships with network partners and collaborators.
Represent the Alda Center professionally and effectively in external settings.
Contribute substantively to shared learning across the fellowship cohort.
Contribute to development and delivery of Alda Method trainings, workshops, and related programming.
Support dissemination of fellowship outputs through workshops, presentations, written materials, or digital channels.
Assist with translating fellowship work into formats useful for Alda Center participants, trainers, and external audiences.
Collaborate with staff to integrate relevant strategic communication insights into Alda Center programming.
Contribute meaningfully to workshop design, facilitation, and/or instructional materials.
Participate in dissemination efforts that expand reach and adoption of fellowship outputs.
Demonstrate strong presentation, facilitation, and written communication skills.
Receive positive feedback from supervisors, collaborators, and program participants.
Complete additional assignments in support of Alda Center strategic priorities.
Contribute to emerging projects, special initiatives, or administrative tasks as needed.
Participate in internal meetings, reporting, and project coordination activities.
Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and departmental mission