Who we are:

The American Institute of Physics (AIP) is a federation of 10 Member Societies which in turn have more than 130,000 members across the globe. AIP was founded in 1931 in an effort to alleviate societal and economic turmoil and to better humanity through science. Today, almost 100 years later, we further our positive impact through our mission: to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity. We want you to become a part of this mission!

By highlighting breakthroughs in physics, exciting news, and trends, AIP’s News and Media Services team helps deliver on the mission to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences.

Who you are:

AIP’s Media Services team is seeking a full-time Press Officer & Communications Specialist with an insatiable passion for communication and a strong interest in physics! As Press Officer & Communications Specialist, you will play a critical role in communications and media relations for AIP. You will help plan and execute operational activities of media services programs for AIP, AIP Publishing, AIP Foundation, and Member Societies. The Press Officer & Communications Specialist will work on a flexible hybrid schedule working 4 days remote and 1 day on-site.

Bring your passion and connect with all corners of the physical sciences, engage with some of the most prominent researchers in the field, get an inside look at new discoveries and developments, and learn something new every day.

What you’ll do:

Serve as AIP’s Press Officer (20%)

• Design proactive pitches for stories and PR campaigns
• Write and edit press releases, announcements, feature & social content
• Facilitate media coverage
• Respond to reporter and editor inquiries
• Maintain media coverage tracking system.
• Foster relationships with the media.
• Conduct media training and coaching for staff & MS.
• Participate in content creation for AIP’s website and marketing & social media campaigns as needed

Oversee AIP Publishing Press Releases (40%)

• Work with AIPP to flag and schedule articles
• Oversee creation and placement of press releases for articles Coordinate editing and posting
• Ensure deadlines and deliverables are met

AIP Member Society Media Relations (40%)

• Project manage media relations work with Member Societies from proposals to final deliverables.
• Maintain contact relationships with Member Societies.
• Coordinate media relations functions on behalf of Member Societies.
• Ensure deadlines and deliverables for Member Societies are met.

What you’ll bring:

• A Bachelors Degree in related field is required. Focuses in PR, Journalism, or Communications is preferred
• 3+ years of experience in Media Relations, Public Relations, or a related field
• Demonstrated understanding of media relations
• Press or PR experience within the nonprofit sector, or within the academic sector preferred
• Digital content creation i.e. creating press releases, web content, editorials, social media content.
• Writing and publishing content for a variety of audiences
• Experience in writing in AP style preferred

To Apply:

Include a resume, and a cover letter and a writing sample. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a full match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.

Why join us:

AIP embraces a flexible hybrid work environment to balance in-person collaborative work with remote work. The Media Services team works in a hybrid schedule, so this role will work remotely 4 days per week and report to our offices in College Park, Maryland 1 day per week. Employees are required to reside in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC.

We offer comprehensive benefits, including generous paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, an annual retirement contribution of 10% of base pay, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and more.

Your colleagues at AIP are welcoming, gracious, and eager to help each other succeed. With our commitment to community service, institute-wide social opportunities, and ongoing learning and development, AIP is a rewarding place to work.

About AIP:

The American Institute of Physics is a dynamic, forward-thinking 501(c)(3) membership corporation of scientific societies. Our mission is to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity. AIP is a trusted and reliable source of information and analysis and is a center of excellence that advances the physical sciences enterprise through research and analysis aimed at improving the understanding of our heritage and promoting future progress.

Diversity welcome! Diversity is integral to our mission and is engrained in everything that we do at AIP. We encourage and invite people of all 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, or physical or mental disability.