Science Communication Fellowship - Sea Grant

The Woods Hole Sea Grant (WHSG) Science Communication Fellowship provides a year-long professional development experience in science communication, based at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.  This is a limited-term fellowship funded for one year from date of appointment. Fellows will be paid a stipend of $60,000 for the one-year term.  The start date is as soon as possible, but no later than September 12, 2022. This is an opportunity to receive mentoring and professional development training from a small, highly engaged group that is passionate about marine science and stewardship of coastal resources.

Please review the Woods Hole Sea Grant website and social media platforms before applying and include your skill set, experience, and area of interest in your letter of interest. 

About Woods Hole Sea Grant:

Based at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Woods Hole Sea Grant program encourages environmental stewardship, long-term economic development, and responsible use of the nation’s coastal and ocean resources. The program supports research and education, and an extension program in collaboration with the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension. It is part of the NOAA-funded National Sea Grant College Program, a network of 34 individual programs located in each of the coastal and Great Lakes states.

WHSG is committed to building inclusive research, extension, communication, and education programs that serve people with unique backgrounds, circumstances, needs, perspectives, and ways of thinking. As such, we strongly encourage applicants of all ages, races, ethnicities, national origins, gender identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, cultures, religions, citizenship types, marital statuses, education levels, job classifications, veteran status types, and socioeconomic status types to apply for this competitive Fellowship program.

The fellow will have a communications-related degree and a passion for marine science. They will learn to use their communications skills to create accessible communications about WHSG-funded research and outreach efforts to the public, resource managers, and policymakers. Example products may include written and social media content, video shorts, and other communications-related resources.

The communications fellow will be advised and mentored by the WHSG communications lead and director. The fellow will have the opportunity to identify story topics, write content (stories, social media posts, webpage content, factsheets, etc.), conduct interviews, produce stories (written or multimedia), and develop other communications tools. In addition to these projects with the communications lead and director, the fellow will have the opportunity to collaborate with WHSG extension specialists, funded researchers, and/or partners to gain experience in developing and distributing communication products.

The fellow is expected to spend a  minimum of 2-days per week at the WHSG offices and the remaining 3 days per week may be remote. Therefore, it is important that the communications fellow be independent and comfortable taking initiative and possess strong interpersonal, written, and electronic communications skills. 

Eligibility: 

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, science communications, journalism, or related field is required. Minor in marine or environmental science is desired. Interest and coursework in science communications, social media and website content development, storytelling, reporting, interviewing, writing, photography, and video production.
• Strong writing and organizational skills. The ability to interact collaboratively as well as independently, communicate effectively to individuals and larger groups and to accurately synthesize and deliver information is preferred. (Virtual) communication and engagement with various Massachusetts stakeholders is expected.
• Experience with communications software/apps including Microsoft Office, WordPress or similar website builder/CMS, Adobe Creative Suite (PhotoShop, InDesign, Spark, Rush or other video editing). Experience developing content, posting, and maintaining a presence on social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram).
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Application Requirements:

• Letter of interest: (one page maximum) please include information about (a) the skills and experiences you would bring to the fellowship, (b) a few examples of marine science communications products that you would be interested in and capable of producing, and (c) how you think this fellowship would help you professionally.
• Two-page resume: include your contact information, education, work and related experience, awards and honors, and skills including software platforms (e.g. MS Word, Adobe Creative Suite, FinalCut Pro, etc.).
• References: include the names, affiliation, and contact information (telephone, email) of three individuals who can speak to your abilities as a student or professional.

All application materials should be uploaded at the time of application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Occasional weekend and evening hours are anticipated. This position may require local travel, and overnight travel for statewide meetings and conferences. Occasional travel throughout the U.S. for regional and national meetings and conferences may also be expected. Other related duties as assigned or requested, and the program reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

WHOI is a federal contractor required to comply with Executive Order 14042. As such, WHOI has enacted a Mandated COVID19 vaccination policy effective December 8, 2021 where you must register your vaccination status in order to begin your employment. The registration process entails confidentially submitting a vaccination card and/or your vaccination status or requesting to engage in the interactive exemption process for either a medical or religious reason.  

This position is mostly sedentary in nature and involves some repetitive motion such as with data entry. This position will work alone as well as around and with others. Physical duties are subject to change.