CLARiTI Communications Specialist

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

About The Position

The Communications Specialist will serve as the dedicated communications professional for the CLARiTI study and related research initiatives within the research portfolio of Sterling Johnson, PhD. CLARiTI is a large, NIH-funded national research consortium led by the University of Wisconsin–Madison in partnership with 36 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers across the country. The role supports research advancing biomarker research in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and a broader portfolio funded by the NIH, industry partners, foundations, and other organizations. The position develops and implements communications strategies that support coordination and success across a complex, multi-site research program. It works closely with study leadership, participating research sites, operational cores, research staff, institutional partners, external collaborators, and donors. Duties include managing study communications; writing, editing, and reviewing scientific and programmatic content; producing newsletters and website content; coordinating communications with sites and partners; developing presentations and materials for scientific and professional audiences; and supporting webinars, scientific meetings, conferences, and other events. The specialist also identifies opportunities to communicate study progress, scientific accomplishments, resources, and impact to the consortium and broader research community, including donors. The role is integrated into CLARiTI operations and provides communications expertise and continuity across the consortium. The position may require some in-person work at a designated campus location, while some work may be performed remotely from an offsite, non-campus location. The ideal candidate is organized and collaborative, has excellent writing, editing, and interpersonal skills, and pays strong attention to detail. The role requires independent and collaborative work, sound judgment and initiative, management of multiple projects and deadlines, and effective relationships with investigators, research teams, study sites, institutional partners, external collaborators, and donors.

Requirements

At least three years of professional communications experience in an academic, healthcare, scientific, or research environment.
Experience developing communications content and strategy.
Experience managing websites, newsletters, and other digital communications.
Experience creating presentations and visual materials.
Experience coordinating communications for meetings, events, and other initiatives.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercise sound judgment and initiative, manage multiple projects and deadlines, and build effective working relationships.
Excellent writing, editing, and interpersonal skills, with strong attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Two or more years of experience in a healthcare or human-subject clinical research setting.
Experience translating complex scientific or technical information into clear, engaging content for researchers, study participants, institutional partners, and the broader public.
Experience communicating about scientific research.
Bachelor’s degree preferred; a focus in communications or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide project management and execution of communications programs, initiatives, and tactical plans.
Plan editorial content according to established goals and objectives.
Communicate with stakeholders to verify requests and identify editorial resources.
Lead philanthropic initiatives to solicit donor funding for multi-etiology causes of dementia.
Write, edit, and publish content for communication projects and marketing platforms in alignment with strategic initiatives and established campaigns.
Monitor the reach and effectiveness of communication campaigns, projects, and initiatives.
Develop and manage communications for the CLARiTI study and related research initiatives.
Produce newsletters and website content and coordinate communications with participating sites and partners.
Develop presentations and other materials for scientific and professional audiences.
Support webinars, scientific meetings, conferences, and other study events.
Identify opportunities to communicate study progress, scientific accomplishments, resources, and impact to the consortium and broader research community, including donors.
Write, edit, and review scientific and programmatic content.