Communication assistant

Animal Welfare and 3R Communication assistant
40-50 %Biomedical research plays an important role at the University of Zurich (UZH). Many experimental questions in this research area still rely on animals. The law, ethical guidelines and the internal policy of the University of Zurich require that animal experiments be limited to the necessary minimum by reduction or replacement and that they be carried out as gently as possible (refinement). The Office for Animal Welfare and 3R, consisting of the Animal Welfare Officers, a 3Rs coordinator and a biostatistician, support the members of the UZH in implementing these requirements.
The position at the Office for Animal Welfare and 3R will be embedded in a SNSF funded consortium of the National Research Program 79 "Advancing 3R - Animals, Research and Society" (NRP 79). The consortium strives to validate and establish specific refinement methods to improve animal welfare in scientific experiments using mice and rats. The Office for Animal Welfare and 3R, i.e. the communication assisstant, will support the scientific consortium with dissemination of results, and the organisation of outreach and hands-on training activities to ensure a wide acceptance and uptake of the refinement methods in the scientific community.

Your responsibilities

Your main tasks will be

• To communicate the consortium’s activities to the scientific community and the public.
• To support the 3R coordinator and the consortium’s researchers in writing and dissemination of reports, press releases, newsletter, lay summaries, information and fact sheet.s
• To preparare of multimedia material for different stakeholders, e.g. videos, posters, lecture slides showcasing / explaining the refinement method (if necessary with external agencies).
• The creation/curation of an open access repository/website.
• The effective management of the consortium’s repository, website and social media content.
• To support the consortium in event management and organisation.
• To support educators to prepare, organise and execute theoretical and practical workshops.
• The coordination of the internal communication of the consortium and project stake holder group (meetings/general communication.)
• To support researchers to publish and present scientific data (scientific poster, talks and manuscripts).

Your profile

Necessary:

• Interest in science and animal welfare.
• A diploma in veterinary science, natural science or medicine or in journalism, media studies or communication. Also, advanced students of these fields are invited to apply.
• Ability to work reliably, organised and independently.
• Basic project management skills.
• Very good English and preferably good German language skills, both written and spoken.

Advantage:

• Previous practical experience in science communication.
• Experience in website and social media content management and/or experience in scientific writing.
• Didactical qualifications or teaching experience.
• Graphical and technical skills (knowledge of illustration/design software tools and audio/video media production).
• Data management experience.
• The applicant may support the execution of practical trainings therefore interest to work with rodents is welcome.
• Excellent and effective communication skills .
• High level of social competence, self-motivation and perseverance.

What we offer

We offer flexible working times, a friendly and sociable working environment and a chance to make a real and visible difference in research with animals. Additionally, the position leaves room to develop and contribute your own ideas. Position will be one year temporary but with the option to prolong to in total 4 years.
We are looking to recruit as soon as possible, or in accordance with arrangements with the applicant.
The application should be prepared in one single pdf and should include a letter of motivation, CV and certificates of relevant education. Work samples (communication, multimedia etc.) are highly appreciated. Documents should be prepared in English.

Place of work

Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland

Start of employment

By arrangement.