Overview
Public Information Specialist Jobs in Seattle, USA at University of Washington
Job Description
The Department of Biochemistry has an outstanding opportunity for a Public Information Specialist to join their team.
About this Opportunity
This position directly supports the Baker and King lab’s communications needs by creating tailored presentations of the science including graphs and figures. It also supports grant and philanthropy proposals by providing engaging stories from the labs, along with media and graphics appropriate for each audience. The Science Communication Specialist’s work directly influences institutional outcomes including faculty and trainee recruitment, partnership development, donor engagement, and public understanding of protein design.
Publications in outlets such as the New York Times, NPR, Science, Nature, and The Wall Street Journal depend on coordinated content development that this role executes. The position also ensures that breakthrough research moments—clinical trial launches, major publications, partnership announcements—receive the communications support necessary to maximize visibility and impact.
Key Responsibilities General Communication (50%)
- Translate new IPD research into accessible narratives for general, scientific, and specialized audiences; produce web features, blog posts, and social content. Attend bi-weekly Baker and weekly King Lab meetings and other lab events to stay updated on emerging science and IPD projects.
- Produce slides and other visual content for Drs. Baker and King. Be able to quickly adapt presentations for appropriate audiences.
- Interview IPD researchers to gather information for all content; ensure technical accuracy while maintaining accessibility for intended audiences.
- Profile IPD trainees, visiting scholars, and alumni through blog posts, videos, and social features that demonstrate the Institute’s training environment and research culture; create content that supports competitive recruitment of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and new faculty.
- Create stories showcasing protein design applications beyond medicine, including climate solutions, materials science, agriculture, and industrial biotechnology.
- Produce original photography, graphics, and video content including researcher profiles, research explainers, and impact stories featuring alumni and spinout companies; maintain high visual and editorial standards across all deliverables.
- Oversee visits from external photographers, videographers, and media crews; manage access arrangements, release forms, and content rights in coordination with UW policies.
Digital Communications (25%)
- Maintain IPD websites (ipd.uw.edu, bakerlab.org, and related properties) ensuring content accuracy, accessibility compliance, and alignment with UW web standards; create and update dedicated content hubs for key research narratives; publish regular features on visiting scholars, partnership milestones, and translation achievements.
- Manage IPD social media accounts across Linked In, Instagram, Threads, Blue Sky, and You Tube under Director oversight; maintain scheduling systems using platforms such as Buffer; execute content strategies that achieve measurable growth in reach, engagement, and audience development.
- Track and analyze web and social media performance; provide reports showing reach, engagement, audience demographics, and traffic sources; identify high-performing content and recommend strategic adjustments based on data.
- Coordinate with UW Marketing & Communications to ensure brand consistency while maintaining the IPD’s distinct visual identity and voice.
Internal Communications and Team Operations (25%)
- Work cross functionally with the Director of Communications & Media to coordinate efforts.
- Maintain editorial calendar tracking all communications projects; manage publishing workflows ensuring consistent quality, voice, and visual standards across channels.
- Support internal communications that build community across 250+ IPD members; contribute to weekly internal news digests and other IPD-wide announcements.
- Collaborate with IPD administrative staff to maintain a communications database tracking publications, trainee milestones, translation achievements, partnerships, and…
Title: Public Information Specialist
Company: University of Washington
Location: Seattle, USA
Category: