University of Alaska
IARC Science Communications Lead
🇺🇸 Fairbanks, AK
🕑 Full-Time
💰 TBD
💻 Communications
🗓️ September 26th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is hiring an IARC Science Communications Lead to creatively communicate the International Arctic Research Center's Arctic science research to diverse audiences. The role involves working closely with researchers and communication teams to craft accurate, compelling stories, manage projects, engage media, and lead strategic communication initiatives that highlight urgent Arctic change.
Highlights
- Lead communication efforts to translate complex Arctic research into accessible stories for Indigenous communities, policymakers, funders, and the public
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including scientists, coordinators, and technicians
- Produce varied high-quality communication products across multiple channels and support media engagement
- Manage projects, set priorities, and meet deadlines in a dynamic research environment
- Required proficiency in digital communication tools, analytics, and content management systems
- Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in science or communications field, 4+ years of progressive science communication experience, strong writing and leadership skills, valid Alaska Driver’s License
- Preferred qualifications: Master’s degree, 6+ years relevant experience including team leadership, experience with Arctic or climate science communication, media relations, and strategic communication
- Position is full-time, in-person in Fairbanks, Alaska, with occasional travel throughout Alaska and beyond
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including retirement, tuition waivers, and medical coverage
- Work directly benefits the understanding and societal response to rapid Arctic environmental changes
IARC Science Communications Lead Full Description
Do you want to use your communication skills to help shape how the world understands the Arctic and responds to rapid change?
At the International Arctic Research Center (IARC) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, our vision is bold and urgent: Understanding the Arctic to make a difference. We bring together scientists and other experts from multiple disciplines to generate science to better understand and respond to the rapid changes unfolding in the Arctic and beyond.
As Science Communication Lead, you’ll work daily with a skilled team of communicators and scientists from a variety of disciplines to translate complex, cutting-edge Arctic research into compelling, accessible stories for diverse audiences, including Indigenous communities, funders, policymakers, decision makers, and the public. The ideal candidate brings intellectual curiosity, deep communication expertise, ability to distill technical content with attention to accuracy and detail, diverse communication skills, and a passion for Arctic and climate science.
This role is both visionary and hands-on: you’ll guide short- and long-term communication work across the Center and produce high-quality content across multiple communication channels. Working in-person at UAF’s Troth Yeddha’ campus in Fairbanks, Alaska, you’ll collaborate with IARC’s world-class researchers, provide creative leadership, engage with the media, and craft varied communication products that reflect the urgency and relevance of Arctic science. In this position, you’ll have the freedom to experiment, the support to excel, and the satisfaction of knowing your work connects science with the people and communities who need it most.
Based in Fairbanks, Alaska, the gateway to the U.S. Arctic, you’ll experience the landscapes and cultures that shape our work. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a vibrant hub for Arctic research, producing high-impact science in a tight-knit university setting, offering unparalleled opportunities to connect with experts. Fairbanks offers year-round outdoor adventure, from summer hiking under the midnight sun to world-class skiing under the aurora borealis. This position includes periodic travel throughout Alaska and beyond.
If you’re passionate about connecting science and society, thrive in an interdisciplinary setting, enjoy working as part of a team, and want to do meaningful work at the frontlines of Arctic change, we encourage you to apply.
Minimum Qualifications:
The required qualifications for this position include a bachelor’s degree in a physical or natural science, communications, journalism, science communication, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Applicants must have at least four years of progressively responsible communications experience, with direct involvement in science or research communication. They should demonstrate exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to translate technical content for non-specialist audiences. Strong project management abilities are essential, including the capacity to set priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Candidates must also show demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to work effectively and respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds and across disciplines. Finally, proficiency with digital communication tools, analytics, and content management systems is required. A valid Alaska Driver's license and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving Criteria is required.
Preferred qualifications for this position include a master’s degree in a physical or natural science, communications, journalism, science communication, or a related field. Ideal candidates will have six or more years of relevant professional experience, including team leadership, and bring experience in Arctic or climate science communication. A background in media relations, strategic communication, and crisis communication is highly valued, as is experience managing multi-platform campaigns and creative production workflows. Familiarity with Arctic Indigenous Peoples and the ability to work effectively in cross-cultural settings are also considered important assets.
Position Details:
The position is in-person and based in Fairbanks, Alaska. Because of the collaborative nature of the position, being in Fairbanks is required. This is a full-time, exempt, term funded, exempt staff position. We offer a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 80, based on education and experience.
Applicant instructions:
Please attach a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information (email and phone number) for three (3) professional references with your application. In addition, submit three work samples showcasing your versatility and ability to communicate scientific topics with various audiences, such as policymakers, journalists, or the public. Samples may include articles, fact sheets, multimedia pieces, or other products where you were the sole contributor or lead author. At least one sample may reflect leadership in developing or managing a larger communication initiative (e.g., a campaign, multi-platform rollout, or strategic communication plan). Please provide 2–3 sentences of context with each sample describing your role, the intended audience, and the communication goal. If you have one, please include a link to your online portfolio in your cover letter. Finalists may also be asked to complete a short assignment to further demonstrate relevant skills.
Applications will be accepted for review on October 20, 2025, to ensure full consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time on DAY BEFORE REVIEW DATE (10/19/2025).
📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.
☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Delia Lopez-Ketzler, IARC's HR Coordinator, at dketzler@alaska.edu or 907-474-1960.
*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.
This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.
The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.
The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.
The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.
Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.
All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.
*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.
Access to the reports is available at:
UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu.
UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.
UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.
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