Marketing and Communications Specialist - NSF NCEMS (Huck Institutes)

Penn State University•University Park, IL

4d•$49,188 - $71,340•Onsite

About The Position

The U.S. National Science Foundation National Synthesis Center for Emergence in the Molecular and Cellular Sciences (NCEMS) at Penn State seeks a Marketing and Communications Specialist to lead scientific communications, marketing, and outreach. NCEMS brings together interdisciplinary researchers to apply AI and data science to fundamental questions in molecular and cellular biology. The position is classified at the Intermediate Professional level and reports to the NCEMS Project Manager. It collaborates with the Director, Principal Staff Scientist, research teams, and partners to communicate Center activities and achievements, promote programs and opportunities, and ensure consistent messaging across NCEMS initiatives. The specialist manages multiple assignments with general supervision and may travel to meetings, conferences, workshops, and other Center events. The role develops and publishes communications for scientific and public audiences; creates branded graphics and promotional materials; and plans campaigns for Center programs and accomplishments. It also coordinates stakeholder and event communications, documents meetings, prepares leadership materials, organizes communications resources, and provides day-to-day guidance to student employees supporting communications, outreach, documentation, and events. This is an onsite role based at Penn State’s University Park campus. The position is funded for one year; continuation beyond that period depends on university need, performance, and/or funding availability. Employment requires successful completion of background checks. Penn State does not sponsor staff employment visas, and applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least 1 year of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience in writing, editing, digital content creation, and stakeholder engagement.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Proficiency with common communications, design, and collaboration tools.
Successful completion of required background check(s).
Must be authorized to work in the United States; Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment visa.

Responsibilities

Develop, edit, and publish website content, social media posts, newsletters, announcements, correspondence, research highlights, and other communications for scientific and public audiences.
Create and coordinate branded graphics, presentations, promotional materials, and digital assets aligned with Penn State and NCEMS standards.
Plan and manage communications campaigns promoting Working Groups, fellowships, internships, workshops, funding opportunities, publications, and Center accomplishments.
Collaborate with Center leadership, staff, faculty, trainees, and partners to translate complex scientific and programmatic information into clear, accessible messaging.
Maintain websites, contact lists, and communications assets; monitor engagement metrics and recommend improvements.
Coordinate communications with researchers, partner institutions, prospective participants, and other stakeholders, including outreach, invitations, information requests, and follow-up communications.
Support communications for scientific meetings, Working Groups, workshops, conferences, and the annual Summit, including participant communications, presentation materials, signage, registration messaging, and post-event summaries.
Attend designated meetings to document key decisions, updates, action items, and deadlines; prepare meeting summaries and maintain related records.
Coordinate outreach and event deliverables with the Project Manager and Center personnel using established schedules, templates, and procedures.
Prepare leadership communications, briefings, meeting materials, and stakeholder correspondence for the Director and Principal Staff Scientist.
Organize communications files, project materials, trackers, and shared resources; monitor assigned tasks and elevate significant issues as needed.
Provide day-to-day guidance to student employees supporting communications, outreach, documentation, and events, and review work for quality and consistency.
Perform other related duties in support of Center programs and operations.
May travel to meetings, conferences, workshops, and other Center events.