Science Communicators of North Carolina

Tuesday, May 14th at 7pm at Fat Frogg Bar and Grill in Elon, NC will be the final event of Spring 2013 for Tectonic Plates: Alamance County’s Science Cafe. It will feature Dr. Jim Fuller, a scientist at LabCorp, who will talk about “Human Cell Culture – One answer to the ethical dilemmas of human subject research.” Come and learn about research taking place right here in Alamance County that could someday lead to cures for human diseases. Jim will speak about both the scientific and ethical dimensions of his research in cell biology.

In case you have never attended one, Science cafés are live—and lively—events that feature an engaging conversation with a scientist about a particular topic. They take place in a relaxed informal atmosphere without all the technical jargon. There is no entrance fee.

UNC-TV is looking for dynamic stories and personalities that highlight the intersection of science and sustainability in NC.

Do you know an individual or an organization that is using science to further its sustainability goals?  If so, we’d love to hear from you.

UNC-TV is partnering with five other public media stations from around the country to produce a national science show called Quest.  Some of the stories will be on TV, others will air on the web.  The key here is innovation: if it makes you say, “wow,” then we’d love to hear about it!

Please contact David Huppert, Producer, UNC-TV
dhuppert@unctv.org

Thank you!

David Huppert
Producer | UNC-TV
m: 919-879-4969
o: 919-549-7011

Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, seeks a full-time Associate Editor for American Scientist magazine at the Society’s headquarters in Research Triangle Park, NC. American Scientist is an interdisciplinary general science magazine reaching about 65,000 members of Sigma Xi, subscribers and newsstand purchasers.

For more information:

http://www.sigmaxi.org/about/careers/AssociateEditor.pdf

UNC Health Care and the UNC School of Medicine are recruiting a science writer. They are looking for an experienced curious writer, with a talent for translating science into lay language, to serve as a Science Communications Manager for UNC Health Care and the UNC School of Medicine. The job title and description are as follows:

Science Communications Manager
Information and Communications Specialist II- PUB000DI

Position Overview/Description:

The University of North Carolina Health Care System and the UNC School of Medicine seek a communications professional with an aptitude for understanding and communicating complex scientific material to serve as Science Communications Manager.  In this role, the Science Communications Manager will help develop a long-term strategy and implement communications programs to increase exposure of the UNC medical community’s cutting-edge research and scientific advancements. The Science Communications Manager will contribute to all efforts to promote work from the UNC medical community.  Reporting to the School of Medicine Strategic Communications Manager, and working closely with the UNC Medical Center Media  Relations Manager and the News team, this individual leads efforts to communicate science and research news for internal publicity and the media.

Education Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree, preferably in a discipline related to communications, journalism or science.

Education Preferences:

An advanced degree in the communications, journalism or sciences field is highly desirable.

Position Requirements:

The ideal candidate should:

•             have an extensive knowledge and understanding of medical and science terminology

•             have the ability to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including those within the institution, such as clinicians and researchers, and media

•             have proven ability to develop media pitches, blog posts, press releases, articles and more, which clearly, accurately and concisely present topical scientific news

•             have a minimum 5 years of communications/writing experience

•             have outstanding writing, oral and interpersonal skills

•             be able to handle multiple projects and priorities simultaneously and function in a fast-paced environment, but maintain a keen eye for detail

•             have the ability to continuously identify unique opportunities to promote the UNC medical community’s research and science news

•             have proven success as an all-around media savvy practitioner, expertise in national media relations and a keen sense of what makes news

•             work well in a team environment, but also able to work independently and be results driven

Position Preferences:

•             have experience within an academic or medical center environment

•             have management skills with a minimum of one year of direct management experience

Candidates can apply for the job on UNC Health Care’s Careers website, at: http://uncmedne.ws/sciencecomm

Please contact Katie O’brien at  katie_obrien@med.unc.edu, or by phone at 919-843-3989, if you have any further questions about the position.

Duke University School of Law seeks an Executive Director of Communications to develop and lead a communications strategy that successfully promotes Duke’s identity as a national and international law school with unique momentum, vision, and ambition. In collaboration with the Dean, faculty and administration, the Director will identify the communications needs of the Law School, create a comprehensive and strategic communications plan for meeting these needs, and provide energetic and visionary leadership for the implementation of the plan. The Director of Communications reports to the Dean of the Law School and has strong collaborative relationships with faculty and senior administrators including the deans of Academic Technologies, Admissions, Alumni & Development, Career & Professional Development, International Studies, and Public Interest & Pro Bono. The Director works closely with the Vice President for Public Affairs & Government Relations, the university Office of News and Communications, and offices that oversee information technology, photography, and community relations. The Director will also have collegial relationships with communications directors at Duke’s peer group of law schools and other departments within Duke University. The position manages the Communications Department with four full-time professional staff members. The Director of Communications also provides administrative oversight to the Events Department which includes the Director of Events and one support person. For more information on the position and to apply, visit http://www.hr.duke.edu//jobs/apply/external.php and search for job opening 400708496.

The National Institutes of Health are seeking a Writer-Editor to:

• Provide high level consultation and direction to senior management on communicating politically sensitive or controversial materials and policies;
• Develop written products that articulate, interpret, and explain highly complex, potentially controversial, and important NIH policies, programs, and research findings;
• Serve as a resource on NIH editorial and publishing policies and practices to writers, editors and program experts who write for publication;
• Participate in conceptualizing and developing materials such as web pages, reports, testimony, and fact sheets for a variety of audiences;
• Serve as production manager for many nationwide projects;
• Provide a full range of editorial support;
• Prepare material for printing and publication. Use electronic publishing hardware and software to draft, edit, and publish or distribute material.

For more information regarding job description and how to apply:

http://sh.jobcoin.com/jobs/show/1457961-writer-editor

Seeking Development Coordinator
Full-Time/Non-Telecommuter

Primary responsibilities include preparation of proposals and grant applications, and
performance of responsible professional and administrative work in researching,
identifying, developing and responding to public, private grant opportunities in the area
of education.

Work is performed under direction of Director of Development with the majority of the
work done independently.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Researches and identifies new local, state and national government, corporate and private foundations and private funding prospects.
• Generates proposals and documents in response to solicitations.
• Generates revenues for organization through timely submission of well-researched, well-written and well-documented grant/fundraising proposals.
• If required, supervise other consultants hired by the organization for specific writing purposes.
• Collaborates on proposal development with development representatives of school districts and institutions of higher education.
• Maintains and implements funding calendar activities including cultivation and solicitation activities.
• Identifies funding opportunities and new program areas to match organization’s funding priorities using research tools.
• Engages with program officers at organizations to solicit invitations to submit proposals for funding.
• Special projects as needed.

Competencies: To perform job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the
following competencies:

• Analytical – synthesizes diverse or complex information; collects research data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs workflow and procedures.
• Design – generates creative solutions; translates concepts and information into images; demonstrates attention to detail.
• Problem Solving – identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Technical Skills – assesses own strength and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.
• Interpersonal Skills – focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication – speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings.
• Written Communication – writes clearly and informatively; varies writing style to meet need; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.

Other Duties:
• Understand and advocate for the formal and informal standards, policies and
procedures of the NC New Schools including adhering to the organizational
style guide.
• Remain sensitive to the interrelationship of both people and functions within
the department.
• Exercise good judgment and responsibility for decisions, consequences, and
results having an impact on people, costs, and/or quality of service.
• Maintain a positive attitude, polite phone manner and interact with all
employees, constituents, board members, etc. in a way that positively reflects
the organization.
• The individual selected will identify, define and develop funding sources
to support existing and planned program activities as well as coordinate the
development, writing and submission of grant proposals to third-party entities.
The position is also responsible for collecting, analyzing and reporting data on
the performance of program activities that are funded by third-party public and
private sources. Position reports to the Director of Development.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in business, finance or communications with a
minimum of three years related experience and a proven track record in federal/state and
private corporate and foundation grant writing. Must have excellent written and verbal
communication skills, be proficient in research, interpreting and analyzing diverse data
and possess the ability to work collaboratively and independently to achieve stated goals.
Should possess excellent writing, computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office Word, Excel,
Power point), and data management skills.

For more information please contact:
April D. Anthony, Director of Development
NC New Schools
4600 Marriott Dr., Ste 510
Raleigh, NC  27612
P (919) 277-3779
C (919) 274-9567
AAnthony@ncnewschools.org

The North Carolina Science Festival 2013 opened on Friday, April 5, with a Statewide Star Party — public skywatching sessions at more than 40 locations statewide.

That was just the beginning. Through April 21st, the Festival becomes a 500-mile-wide celebration of all things science in North Carolina.

Among the highlights:

• regional science expos at universities and other sites
• family science nights and science guest speakers at schools
• hundreds of activities hosted by museums, community colleges, universities, parks, libraries and businesses
• NC Science Festival Day at the NC General Assembly
• an invitation-only Science Summit where government, business and education leaders will examine ways to support the role of STEM in our state’s economy — preparing citizens for STEM careers and creating infrastructure for STEM organizations

Many of you are already involved in the Festival through the activities in your organization. For everyone else, we hope you’ll plan to participate in some of the Festival activities. There are kayak trips, brewery tours and a few other “I didn’t think that was science!” activities along with the lab tours and guest speakers. We have a few out-of-state guests participating in the Festival, too: TV host and “kitchen scientist” Alton Brown is performing in Durham and Charlotte, and author Sean Carroll (“The Particle at the End of the Universe”) is speaking at UNC Charlotte as part of a speaker series featuring some of UNC Charlotte’s best professors.

If you didn’t find the Festival program inside the News & Observer in Raleigh and the Observer in Charlotte last Friday morning, visit the Festival’s website http://www.ncsciencefestival.org/ for a complete calendar that’s searchable by date and region. You can also follow the Festival through Twitter https://twitter.com/ncscifest and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ncsciencefestival for updates. (Our FB page currently features the March to Science Tournament, complete with brackets — vote for the greatest scientist of all time!)

Among our goals for the North Carolina Science Festival 2013 is 300,000 participants, all excited about science! We hope you’ll be a part of the adventure.