Health Research Communications & Digital Media Coordinator

Department
BSD NEU - HAARC - Community
About the Department
The Department of Neurology and the Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Research Care Center (HAARC) seek a Health Research & Digital Media Coordinator to support strategic internal and external communications across the Department and Center.

This position plays an important role in translating complex health, scientific, and research information into clear, accurate, accessible, and engaging communications for diverse audiences, including research participants and their families, community members and community partners, clinicians, researchers, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.
Job Summary
Working closely with Department and HAARC Center leadership, faculty, research teams, and University communications partners, the Coordinator will develop and implement communications strategies that increase awareness of research, clinical and educational programs; support research recruitment and community engagement; highlight faculty and organizational accomplishments; and strengthen the digital presence of the Department of Neurology and the HAARC Center.

Responsibilities span health and science communications, digital and social media, website management, newsletters, research and educational materials, multimedia content, communications analytics, and event communications and coordination, including participation in community and departmental events to support communications, outreach, and content needs.

Responsibilities

- Translate complex scientific and research information into clear, engaging, plain-language content for public, participant, community, and professional audiences.
- Develop and edit communications highlighting research studies, scientific findings, publications, investigator expertise, research participation opportunities, community initiatives, and Center and Department accomplishments.
- Create participant- and community-facing research materials that support recruitment, engagement, education, and retention.
- Collaborate with faculty, investigators, research teams, and leadership to identify compelling research stories and communications opportunities while maintaining scientific accuracy and appropriate health literacy.
- Develop communications in accordance with applicable research protocols, IRB requirements, participant privacy and consent requirements, institutional policies, and University brand and communications standards.
- Develop and manage strategic content across Department and HAARC Center websites, social media platforms, newsletters, email communications, and other digital channels.
- Plan and maintain communications and social media calendars; write, edit, schedule, publish, and monitor content and audience engagement.
- Develop digital and print materials, including research recruitment materials, brochures, flyers, educational resources, presentations, signage, event materials, and other communications assets.
- Maintain website content and digital archives and support the development of photography, video, graphics, and other multimedia content.
- Coordinate professional photography and other creative services as needed.
- Apply accessibility, health literacy, and digital communication best practices to web, email, social media, print, and multimedia materials.
- Identify research findings, publications, investigator expertise, events, and Center initiatives with potential for local, national, and specialty media coverage.
- Work with University communications partners to develop research stories, media pitches, press materials, and other earned-media opportunities.
- Coordinate media inquiries and interview opportunities involving faculty and investigators and assist with the development of talking points, key messages, and background materials.
- Monitor and track media coverage of Department and HAARC Center research, investigators, and programs; maintain an organized media coverage log and archive.
- Amplify earned-media coverage through websites, newsletters, social media, and other communications channels.
- Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement communications strategies aligned with Department and Center research, community engagement, and organizational priorities.
- Monitor communications performance, including social media engagement, audience growth, website activity, newsletter performance, campaign results, and earned-media reach.
- Prepare regular communications reports for leadership and use analytics and audience insights to recommend strategies for increasing reach and engagement.
- Coordinate communications activities with University communications teams and other internal and external partners.
- Support communications and promotional needs for events, lectures, community programs, conferences, and other Department and HAARC Center activities.
- Plans, develops, and disseminates information designed to keep internal and external audiences informed of Department and HAARC Center research, programs, accomplishments, and initiatives with moderate levels of guidance and direction.
- Attend community outreach, engagement, and educational events as needed to support event communications, capture content, and promote programs and research initiatives.
- Develop and coordinate internal communications for faculty, staff, trainees, and research teams, including announcements, newsletters, program updates, leadership messages, and other organizational communications.
- Plans, develops and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, or point of view, with moderate levels of guidance and direction.
- Solves a range of straightforward problems, as work assignments are difficult and broad in nature, usually requiring originality and ingenuity.
- Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

- Bachelor's in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, public health, or a related field, or in a related subject such as science or health communications.

Experience:

- Experience in research communications, science communications, health communications, public health communications, academic research, or a related environment.

- Experience managing social media, websites, newsletters, email communications, or digital campaigns.
- Experience working within a university, academic research center, medical school, research institution, or health-focused organization preferred.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

- Knowledge of web content management systems, email marketing platforms, social media management and analytics tools, and design platforms; experience with WordPress, Google Analytics, Canva, and Constant Contact.

Preferred Competencies

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
- Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Strong organizational and project-management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across teams and with a variety of stakeholders.
- Creative and strategic thinker with strong judgment, initiative, problem-solving skills, and the ability to identify communications opportunities.
- Ability to work independently with moderate guidance while remaining flexible and responsive to changing priorities.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment when communicating health and research information, including sensitivity to participant privacy, scientific accuracy, and institutional requirements.
- Basic photography/video/content-production ability.
- Familiarity with SEO/web content best practices.

Application Documents

- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
- Writing sample and/or communications portfolio (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
Communications
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
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FLSA Status
Exempt
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Pay Range
$65,000.00 - $80,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook .

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.   A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.   Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:  http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.