Env. Health Research & Communications Research Asst. or Staff Scientist, Communications Specialist – Newton, MA
Organization: Silent Spring Institute
Title: Environmental Health Research and Communications
Research Assistant or Staff Scientist, Communications Specialist
Location: Newton, MA
Application Deadline: open until filled
Posted On: Oct. 28, 2011
Overview
Silent Spring Institute, a non-profit institute studying the environment and women’s health, with a focus on breast cancer, seeks a new addition for our research and public communications programs. This position involves substantial responsibility for NIEHS-funded research on how people respond to reports on their own environmental exposure data. Other responsibilities include communicating scientific work to the public and building relationships with advocacy organizations.
Description
We are a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in exposure science,
toxicology, epidemiology, and communications. Our staff of about 10 works with collaborating investigators at Brown, Harvard, UC Berkeley, and elsewhere. Two recent studies, published in Environmental Health Perspectives and covered widely in the news media, illustrate our work:
-Food packaging is a major source of exposure to BPA and phthalates
– Early life chemical exposures that affect breast development,
lactation, and cancer susceptibility
We seek applicants with outstanding academic and communications skills
and interests in environmental health science. Journalists with science background are encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities:
This position requires versatility in support of the Institute’s research and public communications. It reports to the executive director and affords a bird’s-eye-view of community engaged research, and breast cancer and environment issues.
Examples of activities:
-Working with the principal investigator, manage NIEHS-funded study of
how people respond to communications about personal exposure to pollutants.
– Coordinate a multi-institution research team with Silent Spring, Brown, Harvard, and UC Berkeley
– Schedule and conduct interviews with study participants, researchers, and ethics officials
-Code and analyze interview data using systematic qualitative methods
– Help design an interactive digital reporting system
– Opportunities to author peer-reviewed articles
-Write press releases, fact sheets, e-alerts, web content, Facebook
and Twitter posts, reports, proposals, and newsletter articles. Develop relationships with reporters.
-Build Institute relationships with environmental health advocacy organizations
-Support proposal preparation for federal and foundation grants.
-Help research team keep apprised of news and policy developments and
activist campaigns.
-Some travel. Some evening and weekend responsibilities at public events.
Additional requirements:
Applicants with a bachelors or graduate-level degree will be considered.
Excellent academic record; social science, environmental science, and
communications coursework an asset.
Technology and social-media savvy a plus. Relevant work experience preferred. High energy, creativity, attention to accuracy, ability to work
independently within a multidisciplinary team. Commitment to careful and impartial research in a context of partnership between scientists and the
public. For more information, visit our web site at www.silentspring.org
How To Apply
To apply, send cover letter describing your interests and experience related to this job, resume, writing sample, and copy of academic transcript (photocopy is fine) to
Diane Czwakiel
Administrative Manager, Silent Spring Institute
29 Crafts Street, Newton, MA 02458
or email [email protected].
