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Communications Intern internship

NSF’s NOIRLab is the preeminent US national center for ground-based, nighttime optical and infrared astronomy. NOIRLab is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) which operates as a matrix organization, providing services across a range of programs: Gemini, Rubin, MSO (CTIO and KPNO), and CSDC; with facilities in three geographic locations: Arizona, Chile and Hawai’i. The mission of NOIRLab is to enable breakthrough discoveries in astrophysics by developing and operating state-of-the-art ground-based observatories and providing data products and services for a diverse and inclusive community.

The Communications, Education and Engagement (CEE) team is looking for interns eager to gain experience in science communication about frontline astronomy projects. The internship (a temporary full-time staff position of 3 months renewable to 6 months) will provide a full view of media relations and communications with various audiences, including staff, scientific users, and the general public. 

By participating in various projects with support from NOIRLab staff, the incumbent will have the opportunity to understand and learn:

  • About the mission of NOIRLab and the role and responsibilities of the Communications, Education and Engagement team;
  • How a large international scientific organization works in practice, and in particular what are the workflows, processes, and procedures within the Communications, Education and Engagement team;
  • How to write about complex scientific issues in an engaging and understandable manner;
  • What is required to coordinate big events and projects;
  • How written text and audiovisuals can be combined to make science attractive and approachable to the public.

Essential Functions:

  • Work closely with CEE staff mentor(s) to successfully initiate and execute project(s) that support NOIRLab’s work creatively disseminating astronomical ideas, concepts and activities to media, public, students, or teachers in the form of texts, images, videos and audio: e.g write press releases, text for images of the week, announcements, image captions, video scripts, and social media posts/campaigns. 
  • Caption and publish images and videos for NOIRLab’s online galleries.
  • Take part in meetings, including internal communications, external communications, and social media team meetings, and update agendas and other related documentation as required.
  • Assist with general media relations and outreach activities as directed.
  • Coordinate one press release and/or web announcement from beginning to end including managing the relationship with the principal investigator, securing approvals, and producing social media posts.
  • Other relevant projects as assigned by supervisor.

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

  • Studying toward or have recently completed a university degree in science, science communication, or science journalism 
  • You should have some previous experience in written science communication or journalism in English and, in particular, communicating astronomy or other physical sciences to the public. 
  • You should also have a knowledge of astronomy that allows you to understand scientific papers and translate scientific research into simple, understandable concepts, as well as write about science in an engaging and accurate manner for general audiences;
  • You must be fluent in English, both written and spoken.
  • Interest in pursuing a career in science communications, or informal science education
  • Strong organizational skills
  • You should be able to provide clear, concise, and timely written and oral communications;
  • Work under time constraints and deliver to agreed deadlines and standards;
  • Work both on your own initiative and as part of a team;
  • Build good collaborative working relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds and disciplines.

Desired Education/ Experience/ Skills/ Abilities:

  • Proficient in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheet, Slides) or equivalent collaborative document development environments
  • Innovative and ethical use of Social Media

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.
  • The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl.
  • The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
  • Must possess – sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) reach upward, sideways, downward to work with paper files; b) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office machines.
  • Must possess – 1) ability to read and understand instructions, drawings, safety guides, and other written materials necessary to perform job; 2) sufficient visual capacity to perform the applicable functions without assistance of visual aids other than eye contacts or eye glasses; 3) sufficient spoken aural capacity to hear and understand instructions, warning bells, fire alarms, or shouted instructions without assistance of auditory aids other than a hearing aid; and 4) ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately
  • Must possess sufficient mobility, strength or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) grasp, push, pull, turn or otherwise manipulate tools and mechanisms; b) push, shove, pull or otherwise safely and efficiently manipulate tools or mechanisms; c) lift, hold, maneuver, objects of 50 lbs or more; d) maintain balance while performing work; e) remove parts, systems, tools of 50 lbs or more
  • May occasionally work at 6,800 feet altitude if performing work at our Kitt Peak facility.

All applicants must submit a cover letter with their CV that describes their interest in this position and their relevant experience as well as examples of their work in the area (see Essential functions). 

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at NOIRLab. Our managing organization, AURA, as a leader in the astronomical community, develops and supports programs that advance our organizational commitment to diversity, broaden participation, and encourage the advancement of diversity throughout the astronomical scientific workforce. Learn more at http://www.aura-astronomy.org/diversity.asp

Preference will be given to qualified internal applicants.

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org 

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), is a consortium of over 40 US institutions and three international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. AURA is responsible for managing the operations of the NSF’s NOIRLab, the National Solar Observatory, and the construction of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope under cooperative agreements with the National Science Foundation and operations of the Space Telescope Science Institute under contracts with NASA. 

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws. The statements below as well as the requests for self-identification are required pursuant to these regulations. We encourage your participation in meeting these federal reporting requirements which are included for protection and to assist us in our recordkeeping and reporting. Your responses are kept strictly confidential.

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