American Geophysical Union
Science Writing Internship (Fall) (Finance)
What AGU does and offers our team
AGU is home to more than 60,000 scientists from 139 countries. As the Public Information or Eos Science Writing Intern, you will support a dynamic association of Earth and space scientists who advance research, collaborate across disciplines, and communicate the importance and impact of science to society. AGU offers our members exciting opportunities through top-ranked scientific journals, scientific meetings and conferences, and other educational and scientific programs, to present and publish research, gain leadership experience, mentor, and freely exchange knowledge.
Please note: Applications can note a preference between Public Information and Eos, but all applicants will be considered for both positions.
What the Public Information Science Writing Intern does
The public information intern works with other members of AGU's public information team to identify and disseminate new research findings in the Earth and space sciences to various lay audiences, including the press and public, through press releases, blog posts and social media.
This work ensures AGU is perceived as a reliable, authoritative and valuable source of high-quality Earth and space science information, and increases awareness and appreciation of the Earth and space sciences and their implications for society and the environment. By finding and publicizing the most newsworthy scientific papers coming out in AGU journals and presented at AGU meetings, the intern will gain real-world experience working as a public information officer at a major scientific organization.
The public information science writing intern will have opportunities to:
* Learn how to identify newsworthy papers published in scientific journals
* Gain experience interviewing researchers and independent experts about scientific research
* Become skilled at writing succinct, accurate and compelling press releases and blog posts about scientific papers under tight deadlines
* Work with AGU publications staff and Public Information Officers at various institutions to coordinate publicity of AGU research
* Use and explore social media and multimedia to promote scientific research
* Work as part of a team with other press office staff to identify newsworthy scientific results presented at the AGU Fall Meeting.
* Gain experience organizing press conferences about those results to take place at the AGU Fall Meeting.
What the Public Information Science Writing Intern brings to the team
* A Bachelor's degree in physical or life sciences or journalism, and/or current student or graduate of a science journalism program.
* Experience writing official science press releases issued by a public information office and/or stories about scientific research that were published in news media outlets.
* It's a plus, but not a requirement, to have experience with video and other multimedia, and with social media, and also to have interest and/or experience in helping scientists improve their communication skills.
* Willingness to relocate to Washington D.C. area for the internship at own expense.
What the Eos News Writing and Production Intern does
Eos is the news publication of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the world's largest organization of Earth and space scientists. The Eos website is intended for the worldwide Earth and space science community and the science-interested public. As the Eos Science Writing and Production Intern, you will support the publication as it publishes articles daily about developments in science, policy, education, business, engineering, and other fields associated with study of the Earth, the solar system, and exoplanets. Selected articles from the website appear monthly in the print magazine.
The Eos News Writing and Production Intern will have an opportunity to learn about a digital news environment by working and collaborating with seasoned journalists, editors, and production professionals. The intern gains newsroom experience in reporting and writing stories, finding photos or other graphics, meeting deadlines, being edited, optimizing articles for search-engine discovery, and using/tracking social media. The intern also develops skills needed for production of online and print publications.
The Eos News Writing and Production Intern has opportunities to:
* Monitor scientific and science policy developments in the Earth and space sciences by scanning journal papers and press releases from scientific organizations, cultivating sources, attending briefings, and skimming other media coverage, and to use that awareness to develop story ideas and pitch them regularly to Eos editors.
* Regularly report and write, on deadline, engaging and accurate science news stories (usually 500-800 words); submit them for editing with suitable, high-quality, high-resolution photos or illustrations and with other journalistic and formatting components (such as compelling teasers, subheads, and captions), and respond quickly and comprehensively to edits of all stories until published.
* Learn how to work with an editorial team by pitching and developing story ideas and collaborating on editorial strategy.
* Create and lay out posts for the Eos website as assigned. Ensure quality of content, images and multimedia, hyperlinks, and metadata for these posts.
* Prepare copy from the website for print production.
* Assist in preparing Eos print magazine galleys and making corrections to magazine files; review proofs and participate in various production and art selection meetings.
What the Eos News Writing and Production Intern brings to the team
* Ability to understand scientific concepts and explain them to a general audience.
* Excellent attention to detail, organization, and ability to thrive in a deadline-driven, team environment.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; previous experience with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and/or Wordpress is a plus but not a requirement.
* Experience/training in social media, video, or other multimedia is a plus.
* A Bachelor's degree in physical or life sciences or journalism, and/or current student or graduate of a science journalism program.
To Apply:
For consideration, please submit your cover letter, resume and 3 clips to
https://rew12.ultipro.com/AME1056/jobboard/NewCandidateExt.aspx?__JobID=352
The successful candidate for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.
Here are some of the values that guide AGU staff (see more at http://jobs.agu.org):
We believe in accountability and ownership of work, by taking responsibility for decisions and results. We believe in member and customer service, and that they come first through providing high quality service.
We believe in excellence and giving it our all, through striving to be outstanding. We believe in integrity by doing the right thing. We achieve this by being honest and fair.
Our teams believe that with teamwork, together we achieve more. We achieve this through collaboration. We believe in respect, that you earn it and give it, by open communication and collaboration.
AGU proudly offers a casual work environment, excellent compensation, generous work-life opportunities, and an outstanding benefits package.
AGU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Please click on the link below to apply for this position. A new window will open and direct you to apply at our corporate careers page. We look forward to hearing from you!