Hi all,

 

Please see below for an excellent opportunity for an intern looking for science writing/communications/media relations experience.

 

It’s in Oxford University’s busy news & information office, it’s paid and the deadline is 12 noon on Fri 21 Nov.

 

Thanks, Jonathan

 

Jonathan Wood
Media Relations Manager
Medical Sciences
University of Oxford
+44 (0)1865 280530
[log in to unmask]

Oxford University news: http://www.ox.ac.uk/news
Oxford Science Blog http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/science-blog

Intern opportunity

 

Supporting press office work in science and medicine

 

News & Information Office, Public Affairs Directorate, University of Oxford

 

Summary

 

•               Superb opportunity for those interested in any of the following careers: science writing and journalism; science communication and engagement; media relations

•               £10.34 an hour

•               Total time: 360 hours (to be spread over up to 12 weeks, depending on hours worked and start date)

•               Intern specification: strong academic record; demonstrable interest in the sciences; science writing experience; knowledge of the news media; excellent written communication skills

 

Internship

 

The News & Information Office of Oxford University is seeking a paid intern to support the work of media managers covering research stories in health, medicine, mathematics and the physical and life sciences.

 

The News and Information Office deals with media relations, online news, institutional information and public enquiries on behalf of Oxford University. This involves a wide range of activity (see http://www.ox.ac.uk/news-and-events ).

 

This internship is an opportunity for someone interested in science and medicine and its communication to work directly with leading researchers, and gain an insight into how one of the world’s best universities deals with the media and public.

 

It would be a good opportunity for those interested in any of the following careers: science writing and journalism; science communication and engagement; media relations.

 

If you enjoy hearing about the latest research first-hand; care about detail, accuracy and evidence in reporting; and consume lots of media, you may be an ideal fit.

 

Through the work you will:

•               Work closely with the press officers covering medicine and science at Oxford;

•               Develop your analytical, writing and communication skills;

•               Get experience writing news releases and online articles about science and medicine;

•               Develop experience of pitching stories to the national media;

•               Interview Oxford’s world-leading scientists and write about their work;

•               Get experience working in a busy media relations office; and

•               Get experience working within university administration for a world-leading institution.

 

Tasks

 

-       Identifying research stories that might be of mainstream media interest, and working with researchers to gain fair and accurate coverage of their advances.

-       Producing online news stories and science blog entries on the latest research findings and journal publications, interviewing researchers and generating engaging articles for a general audience.

-       Highlighting interesting news stories and media coverage using social media streams.

-       Aiding journalists looking to find experts to comment on stories and issues in the news.

-       Supporting media managers officers in producing the Daily News Alert, an email summarising media coverage of Oxford University which is circulated around the University.

-       Inputting media coverage identified through the office’s media monitoring to a database, exercising judgement and knowledge in categorising items appropriately.

-       Supporting the office in managing phone and email enquiries from the media, taking down a wide range of journalistic enquiries, and making decisions about responses and priority level.

 

Desired skills and qualifications

 

•               Strong academic record, with at least a good first degree

•               Demonstrable interest in science and understanding of the research process;

•               Experience of science writing and news writing;

•               Ability to assimilate complex information and ideas quickly and make them accessible for a wider audience;

•               Excellent written communication skills;

•               A friendly and confident telephone manner;

•               Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise own workload, work flexibly and work towards tight deadlines;

•               Ability to work with figures and statistics;

•               Experience of using the internet, email, social media, Word, databases and other common Windows applications on a daily basis;

•               Experience of media relations and/or journalism would be an advantage.

•               Eligible to work in the United Kingdom

 

Details

 

·    Pay will be at casual rate of £10.34 per hour.

 

·    The work will be based in the News & Information Office, University Offices, Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD.

 

·    30–37.5 hours per week (subject to preference).

 

·    8–12 weeks, depending on start date 

 

·    Preferred start date 5 January 2015; end date on or before 27 March 2015.

 

·    Hours worked must fall within office hours (9–5.30, Monday–Friday). The preferred option is for someone to work four days a week over three months, but five days a week over shorter period will also be considered.

 

If you are interested, please e-mail a CV and covering letter to Stephen Rouse ([log in to unmask]) by midday on Friday, 21 November. They should be no more than two sides of A4 each and the covering letter should set out why you would like the position and how you meet the criteria. Interviews will be in the week beginning December 3. Only successful candidates will be contacted.