Science Writer

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory•Berkeley, CA

22h•$122,520 - $136,128•Hybrid

About The Position

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s (Berkeley Lab) Advanced Light Source (ALS) Division has an opening for a Science Writer to translate cutting-edge ALS research into compelling stories that highlight its impact on science and society. Reporting to the Director of Communications, this role will craft engaging content that showcases ALS achievements, supports its mission, and strengthens stakeholder engagement. Key responsibilities include writing science highlights, promoting ALS capabilities, and maintaining its reputation as a leading research facility. The role also supports press releases, outreach efforts, user recruitment, and the ALS Upgrade project, keeping audiences informed on facility updates and progress. The Advanced Light Source is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national scientific user facility that produces exceptionally bright soft and hard x-ray, ultraviolet, and infrared light. With a strong scientific reputation, expert staff, and advanced capabilities, the ALS attracts thousands of academic and industrial users each year in condensed matter and quantum materials, energy sciences, biosciences, earth and planetary sciences and more. The ALS is one of five Berkeley Lab user facilities that serve 15,000 users annually. Co-located with the Molecular Foundry, NERSC supercomputing center, and Berkeley Lab's materials, chemical sciences, biosciences, and other divisions, it provides an ideal collaborative environment for innovative scientific discoveries. The ALS is a global leader in soft x-ray science, and aims to maintain its leadership with ALS-U, a major project to upgrade the facility to a fourth-generation light source. This upgrade will position the facility among the brightest soft x-ray light sources in the world, offering capabilities that no other facility can provide.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, English, Sciences, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent work experience.
A minimum of 5 years of experience in scientific writing and/or editing in institutional communications, producing communications products on science-and/or technology-related subjects for diverse audiences or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Proven ability to translate technical and scientific concepts into clear, journalistic-style content for press releases, social media, web, print, media campaigns, and other related documents.
2 years of professional experience in editing and proofreading documents that range in size from short-form to large-scale.
Significant knowledge of contemporary science communications tools, tactics, and best practices for technical audiences, including familiarity with common writing, editing, web publishing, and social media platforms such as Google Suite, LinkedIn, Meta, and Bluesky.
Strong organizational skills, fact-checking abilities, editorial judgment, and attention to detail.
Professional presence and highly effective interpersonal skills that allow for iteration and streamlined editorial processes with multiple stakeholders, including scientists and technical and administrative staff.
Ability to adapt writing style and tone for different platforms and audiences.
The ability to balance detailed scientific intricacies while keeping sight of strategic organizational priorities.
Proven track record of successfully executing communications projects independently and cross-functionally, from ideation to completion.
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to think creatively and communicate effectively under time-sensitive deadlines.
Works on problems of diverse scope, where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors.
Experience developing and managing editorial calendars and copyediting procedures for complex organizations.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with and enthusiasm for writing in support of public service, particularly within scientific, governmental, or public-sector institutions
Experience with media editing software (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva).
Experience writing about Physics, Materials Sciences, Quantum, Earth Science, or AI.
Experience with synchrotron light sources.

Responsibilities

Translate complex synchrotron science into clear, engaging stories in partnership with scientists and managers.
Research, write, and edit a range of products, including science highlights, web content, news/press releases, print materials, internal features, presentations, proposals, newsletters, and stakeholder documents.
Build relationships with scientific staff and leadership to identify upcoming publications/achievements and prepare them for outreach opportunities.
Collaborate with cross-Lab communications teams to amplify ALS research and achievements to external news sources.
Synthesize information from multiple sources to produce/refine key deliverables for stakeholders, including the Department of Energy.
Modify graphics, scientific figures, and multimedia materials to support websites, web articles, and other promotional needs.
Collaborate with ALS communications, Berkeley Lab communications, and Creative Services to refresh and create print and multimedia materials (e.g., brochures, science highlights) to accompany copy content.
Publish web stories on research, technical developments, and facility accomplishments.
Maintain facility’s landing pages and ensure content stays current.
Create digital content, visuals, and key messages to support user communications.
Coordinate web updates across ALS and support annual web governance and review processes.
In collaboration with the Director of Communications, develop and manage editorial style guidelines to ensure consistent, high-quality communications across all ALS publications, including digital and non-digital materials.
Provide editorial advice to ALS management on high-level presentations for key external audiences and assist in the preparation of large strategic documents.
Co-develop and maintain editorial style guidelines to ensure consistent, high-quality ALS communications across channels.
Advise ALS leadership on messaging and high-level presentations; support development of large strategic documents.
Participate in and contribute to meetings and committee work across the ALS.