Science Communication Officer (m/f/d)

Job Offer No. 600

The Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) in Saarbrücken is looking for a

Science Communication Officer (m/f/d)

HIPS was founded in 2009 as a branch of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in cooperation with Saarland University and is the first publicly funded non-university research institution in Germany dedicated exclusively to pharmaceutical research. HIPS focuses on the discovery and development of new active substances for the treatment of infectious diseases. The departments at HIPS work closely with Saarland University and the local pharmaceutical industry, as well as with national and international research institutions and companies. Since its founding, HIPS has grown steadily to over 280 employees and is currently being expanded both spatially and thematically with funding from the state and federal government. 

The core research areas of natural product research and medicinal chemistry are being strengthened and supplemented by state-of-the-art bioinformatics and microbiota research. To accommodate the growing number of researchers at HIPS, new laboratory and office space is currently being built. The HIPS communications team is responsible for preparing the institute's scientific content to make it accessible to a non-scientific audience. In addition to press releases and our websites, public events and our citizen science campaign MICROBELIX also play an important role in this. The aim is to raise awareness of HIPS' activities and their social significance among the general public and in the media. The communications team also supports networking within the institute and the entire HZI by developing and implementing internal communication measures. 

Your responsibilities:
As a science communications officer, you will be responsible for identifying suitable scientific content for HIPS's communications work, thereby supporting the institute's researchers in their science communications activities. As part of the communications team at HIPS, you will develop and implement measures for internal and external communications. This includes the (further) development of communication and networking formats in close coordination with Saarland University and the other HZI locations. The role also involves processing and creating content for the website and social media channels (texts, photos, videos) and providing communication support for high-profile activities such as the Microbelix citizen science campaign. You will support the team in handling press inquiries and coordinate, plan, and supervise the institute's high-profile events.

Your qualification profile:
You have a university degree (master's or diploma) in a scientific discipline directly related to the topics covered by HIPS (e.g., biology, chemistry, pharmacy) or in journalism, as well as basic knowledge in the areas of drug research, antimicrobial resistance, antibiotics, and their social significance. In addition, you have a strong ability to present scientific topics to different target groups and are experienced in using social media and creating relevant content. You have very good presentation skills and are confident in both spoken and written German and English. You have initial experience in video production and in organizing and running public events.

We offer you:

• An attractive and varied job in a future-oriented research institute with an international environment
• State-of-the-art infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies
• Flexible working hours, part-time models, and working from home
• A corporate culture that values and promotes equal opportunities
• Extensive training and continuing education opportunities to develop professional knowledge and personal skills
• A family office to support family and career, as well as childcare options
• Interesting additional benefits of public service
• Possibility of subsidizing the Job Ticket

People with severe disabilities and equivalent professional qualifications who are suitable for the position are given preference. In order to protect your rights, we ask you to provide us with a clearly recognizable reference to the existence of a degree of severe disability in your cover letter or resume. 

The position is held at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH (HZI) in Braunschweig. The place of employment is Saarbrücken.

The HZI is actively committed to equality, diversity and integration. For this reason, the HZI pursues the goal of professional equality between women and men. The position is suitable for part-time work.

Please apply via our career portal. 

For further information please contact Dr. Yannic Nonnenmacher, E-Mail: yannic.nonnenmacher@helmholtz-hips.de.

Please include a cover letter, resume, (employment) references, certificates, and (if available) work samples or reference projects with your application materials. Please refrain from sending a photo.

We look forward to receiving your application!