Job Information
Marine Biological Laboratory Summer/Temp Staff - Summer Science Writer/Digital Media Assistant in Woods Hole, Massachusetts
Description
POSITION SUMMARY: The Summer Science Writer and Digital Media Assistant produces news features, news briefs, press releases, social media posts, and multimedia content about important stories emerging from the research and educational activities of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass. (mbl.edu) Stories are for a variety of external and internal audiences, including local, national, and international media; the public; and the MBL and University of Chicago communities. The commitment to this position is 40 hours a week for 8 weeks (late June-August, dates flexible). The pay is $18/hour. This is a hybrid position; the Summer Science Writer and Digital Media Assistant should be on campus in Woods Hole at least 2 days a week. This position supports the MBL Communications Office and reports to the MBL’s Associate Director of Communications.
MAJOR DUTIES: Identify topics, interview sources, and write articles, press releases, and news briefs for the MBL’s news site (www.mbl.edu). Create or obtain photography/video to accompany your stories as needed. Learn to post content on MBL’s website, including working in Drupal and Photoshop. Distill your content into social media posts for distribution on MBL’s social media channels. Assist in providing other content for MBL’s social media feeds (Facebook, X, Instagram, Bluesky, LinkedIn) as needed. Optional: Plan, shoot, and edit a short slideshow or video to accompany a press release or news story, or to be used as a standalone feature for the MBL’s web site or Development Office. Undertake other tasks to promote MBL science and educational programs as requested.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Must have excellent written, visual, and verbal communication skills; attention to detail and accuracy; an understanding of contemporary biological and environmental science; and experience writing and reporting about science. Experience with social media sites, producing video or slideshows for the Web, and basic photography skills preferred.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Highly motivated, deadline-driven graduate student or senior undergraduate at an accredited college or university with substantial coursework related to science journalism. Training in biology is highly advantageous.
TO APPLY: Please apply for the Summer Science Writer position on the MBL Careers website (mbl.edu/about/careers-internships). In addition to completing the online application, please send (1) Three writing samples (links or PDFs) of work published in print or online in the past three years (no unpublished work , school essays, thesis work or book chapters, please) and (2) The names and contact information for two references to: Diana Kenney, Associate Director of Communications, Marine Biological Laboratory: dkenney@mbl.edu. Questions? Please contact Diana at dkenney@mbl.edu; 508-685-3525.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)