*The American Institute of Physics (AIP) requires COVID-19 vaccination for all positions effective January 3, 2022. Individuals with a disability or a religious reason preventing them from taking the vaccine may request an accommodation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION/SUMMARY OF ROLE:

The American Institute of Physics (AIP) is seeking a Science Writer to join our talented News & Media Services team. AIP relies on the News & Media Services team to curate and distribute exciting news memos, press releases, and technical summaries related to the world of physics as well as coverage of events involving AIP's Member Societies. As Science Writer, you will report on, edit, and produce content geared toward the physical sciences community as well as nonscientific audiences. You will manage multiple projects in a team environment including dissemination of press releases, technical research summaries, and other media services content with minimal supervision. The overarching goal of the Science Writer is to produce content that promotes the latest research to the scientific community while enhancing public awareness and media coverage of AIP, AIP Publishing journals, and the AIP Member Societies.

The News & Media Services team is operating under a hybrid work environment; working from home and in the office. The Science Writer will be expected to adhere to a working schedule that includes on-site work as well as remote work. 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Writing, editing, and producing content for the physical sciences community as well as a nonscientific audience;
• Coordinating and production of press releases;
• Production of technical research summaries;
• Production of media services content geared toward physical sciences.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Select, write and edit Scilights for Media Services;
  • Identify newsworthy topics from AIP Journals (daily);
  • Research, compose, refine and oversee production of own Scilights; about 3-4 per week;
  • Review Scilights written by freelancers and other writers for clarity, grammar, and scientific accuracy;
  • Oversee production of Scilights written by freelancers and other AIP writers.
• Write and edit Press Releases;
  • Write no fewer than one press release per week;
  • Review press releases written by freelancers and other writers for clarity, grammar, and scientific accuracy;
  • Identify newsworthy topics from MS abstracts for meetings.
• Writes and edits Newsletter Articles;
  • Write ~2-3 newsletter articles per month.
• Review newsletter articles written by freelancers and other writers for clarity, grammar, scientific accuracy;
• Support media services on-site services;
  • Arrange press conferences;
  • Webcast;
  • On-site press room staffing;
  • Travel to scientific meetings and conferences.

 

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support Media Services department workflow as needed by cross training on essential roles and provide coverage for various responsibilities when others are out of the office.
   

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in physics or physical sciences required 
• Master's degree or higher preferred

EXPERIENCE:

• Science Communications training or 2+ years of experience in science writing, editing, newsroom journalism, and/or media relations;
• Demonstrable ability to write about physics and other branches of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for a scientific audience as well as a general audience;
• Knowledge of AP style;
• Ability to use content management systems and apply web standards;
• Experience editing science content, basic copyediting, Podcasting, webcasting and live streaming a plus.

*Interested candidates should submit an application, resume, and a writing sample related to science communication (news article, blog post, magazine article). 

ABOUT AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS:

The American Institute of Physics (AIP) was founded in 1931. At the urging of a report from the American Physical Society and with initial funding from the Chemical Foundation, leaders of American physics formed a corporation for the “advancement and diffusion of knowledge of the science of physics and its application to human welfare,” especially by achieving economies in the publishing of journals and the maintenance of membership lists. This new federation of societies was also formed to provide a common organizational home for the emerging new physics-associated scientific societies that were being formed at the time. At the time of its formal incorporation in 1932, AIP comprised five such societies with a total membership of 4,000 individuals.
From the outset, AIP published journals on behalf of its Member Societies, as well as publishing journals owned by the Institute. Starting around 1950, the revenue generated from publications enabled the Institute to hire staff dedicated to programs that served more broadly the Member Societies, individual physicists, and the public at large. Several programs were added in the areas of education and careers, statistics, industry outreach and history. Other programs were developed in the coming decades in the areas of science news, media, and government relations.
Today, AIP is a federation of 10 Member Societies which in turn have more than 115,000 members across the globe. Since 2013, AIP Publishing—a wholly-owned but independently operated subsidiary LLC—continues to publish AIP journals and journals of five of AIP Member Societies. In addition, in 2019 AIP Foundation was added to the AIP family of organizations. Since AIP is the parent organization, and noting that each of AIP Publishing and AIP Foundation have their own Boards, the financials of all three organizations are consolidated into AIP’s financial reports annually.
Through their partnership in AIP, all 10 Member Societies broaden their impact and achieve results beyond their individual missions and mandates. AIP also acts as an independent institute where research in social science, policy, and history advances the discipline of the physical sciences. Together, AIP and its 10 Member Societies convey a unifying message for stakeholders in government, academia, the nonprofit and private sectors, the student and teacher communities, and the general public.
 

Why Work for AIP?

AIP wants you to be safe!

During the COVID-19 pandemic AIP took appropriate steps to ensure the safety of all AIP staff by providing a flexible approach to remote work that ensured a safe and productive workforce could continue to pursue our mission and provide continued value to our stakeholders. The safety, health, and wellbeing of our staff are of the utmost importance to our Institute.

In addition to your safety, AIP wants you to love working at the Institute, and we have a workplace culture that supports that goal. With our commitment to community service, institute-wide social opportunities, and ongoing Learning and Development, we work hard to make sure AIP is a rewarding place to work. Did we mention that you will work with amazingly talented colleagues in a variety of departments? The American Institute of Physics offers excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement, tuition assistance, on-site fitness center, and metro access.  Learn more at www.aip.org 
 

Diversity Welcome!

We encourage and invite people from diverse backgrounds to apply and join our team. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, creed, marital status, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, personal appearance, national origin, ancestry, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability

AIP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer  
EOE, including disability/Vets

*Interested candidates should include a resume, a cover letter, and a writing sample to be considered for candidacy.