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The Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has an opening for a Communications Specialist.  Share the Beckman Institute’s world-changing scientific discoveries and support the Beckman community through media releases, social media, web writing and many other forms of external and internal communications.  The Beckman Institute’s Communications Office includes professionals who work in design, web development, video production and outreach. This close-knit, hybrid team shares goals and works hard each day to uphold Beckman’s mission and core values and follows the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign brand.

 

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Using independent judgment and discretion, work with the Executive Director of Communications to write and edit content that supports the mission of the institute for news releases, the Beckman website, internal communications, promotional materials, marketing copy and social media.
  • Create and execute strategy (including paid campaigns) for Beckman’s social media channels to reach current and potential audiences of the Beckman Institute and the campus.
  • Supervise student hourly workers who contribute to event promotion, scientific writing, copy writing, web updates and photo organization.
  • Extend the reach of Beckman messaging through media relations.  Submit news releases to EurekAlert! and working with the university’s Strategic Communications and Marketing’s media relations team to share Beckman-related stories.
  • Use existing metrics and establish new metrics to monitor progress toward strategic goals in expanding awareness of the Beckman Institute and its members’ research and accomplishments.
  • Work in collaboration with the Communications Office to support all communications, marketing and outreach activities and goals. This includes event planning and promotion, web initiatives, page design, photography, videography, editing and other diverse duties.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Specialty Factors):

  • Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations or a closely related field.
  • Two years (24 months) of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management or a related professional area.
  • Demonstrated experience in writing, style editing and/or social media management in a journalistic, university, scientific research and/or business setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field.
  • 3 – 5 years of experience in a communications office.
  • Experience working with or in higher education.
  • Familiarity with the University of Illinois campus.
  • Experience working with science and/or technology-related fields.
  • Experience with online content creation and web development tools.

Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Civil Service (5004 – Marketing Associate) position, appointed on a 12-month basis.  The expected start date is as soon as possible after the end of the posting period closes.  The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $65,000/year.  Final salary offered with be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements and budget constraints.

 

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

 

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS website at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

 

Application Procedures and Deadline Information


Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on April 18, 2025.  Apply for this position by visiting https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/13652?c=illinois&referralToken=MX8lYTz4-EapwaM-jNL-bA and using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of the posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.  If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact hr@beckman.illinois.edu.  For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

 

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position.  Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits. 

 

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates.  Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures and employment eligibility review through E-Verify. 

 

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process.  Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, or religion.  Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at (217) 333-0885 or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.