Knowledge Mobilisation and Science Communication Officer

School/Department: School of Water, Energy and Environment

Based at: Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire

Hours of work: 18.5 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.

Contract type: Fixed term contract

Fixed Term Period: Until 13 February 2029

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £37,337 to £38,312 per annum, pro rata (18.5 hours per week)

Apply by: 24/04/2024

Role Description

We are seeking a part-time Knowledge Mobilisation & Science Communication Officer (KMSC) to work with Professor Frederic Coulon and Dr Kristell Le Corre Pidou in the Water Theme of the School of Water, Energy and Environment at Cranfield University. This position is part of the recently-funded UKRI-funded Engineering Biology Programme Grant "EBIC: Environmental Biotechnology and Innovation Centre", a collaboration between 10 universities including Cranfield, Bangor, Brunel, East Anglia, Edinburgh, Essex, Glasgow, Heriot-Watt, Newcastle, and Southampton, as well as more than two dozen industry and academic partners.

You will join a highly-applied interdisciplinary project at the intersection of synthetic biology, environmental engineering, and biotechnology. We aim to explore cutting-edge techniques from synthetic biology, biotechnology, and engineering science to develop innovative solutions in bioengineering and bioremediation. With a team of experts from diverse fields, we are on a mission to bridge the gap between engineering biology research and practical applications, ensuring that our findings translate into meaningful actions that make a substantial and measurable difference in the world.

About the Role

As the Knowledge Mobilisation and Science Communication Officer at Cranfield University, your role entails close collaboration with scientists from the School of Water, Energy, and Environment (SWEE) and partner organisations. You will actively facilitate the exchange of knowledge and impact derived from the research activities of various partners, including those from the Engineering Biology Innovation Centre (EBIC). This involves engaging stakeholders, organising academia-stakeholder Community Building & Problem Identification (CBPI) workshops, as well as participating in public forums and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) engagement activities, such as Citizen's Assembly forums. The overall goal is to bridge the gap between the research conducted within the engineering biology hub and the broader community, ensuring that the knowledge generated has real-world applications and contributes to environmental remediation efforts.

Furthermore, your role extends to fostering collaborations with external partners at regional, national, and international levels. Overall, your efforts will play a pivotal role in enhancing the visibility and influence of Cranfield University's research activities in the field.

Active participation in broader academic and professional pursuits within the School is anticipated, and the ideal candidate should take an initiative to enrich their academic and professional competencies, aligning with their aspirations for future career growth.

Key responsibilities

• Analyse and report research findings to facilitate decision-making.
  
• Transfer research advancements to external stakeholders.
  
• Build relationships with industry partners, government agencies, and the scientific community.
  
• Coordinate activities with partner institutions within the Engineering Biology hub.
  
• Develop communication strategies to highlight the hub's activities and impact.
  
• Manage media relations and prepare press releases.
  
• Maintain the hub's online presence and social media accounts.
  
• Organise events to raise awareness about the hub's contributions to environmental remediation.
  
• Engage with policymakers to advocate for supportive policies.
  
• Develop policy briefs to communicate findings and recommendations.
  
  About You
  
  

  The ideal candidate will be experienced with knowledge mobilization and external communications in scientific or engineering research contexts. They will possess a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Media and Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent work experience. Proficient in stakeholder engagement and communication strategy development, they will have a strong grasp of scientific concepts and terminology related to environmental science, biology, and engineering. With a keen eye for detail and excellent communication skills, both written and oral, they will effectively convey complex ideas to diverse audiences. Furthermore, their collaborative mindset, strong networking abilities, and problem-solving skills will enable them to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Proactive and creative, they will stay updated on advancements in the field and continuously enhance their professional skills to drive impactful communication strategies.
  
  

  About Us
  
  

  As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield's world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.
  
  

  You will be associated with the Water Theme, home to the Water-Environment-Health-Nexus group and the Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre led by Professor Frederic Coulon. This centre is committed to tackling the escalating challenges of environmental stewardship and sustainability within the interconnected realms of water, soil, and waste. Considering the global trends such as rapid urbanisation and climate change, sustainable resource management confronts unprecedented risks. The nexus approach recognises the intricate links between water, soil, and waste, underlining the necessity for coordinated management to navigate sustainable development amidst these complexities. Guided by this imperative for integration, Cranfield has cultivated a transdisciplinary research community, facilitating knowledge sharing among experts specialising in diverse facets of the nexus. This collaborative milieu empowers us to embrace a holistic perspective in our research activities, promoting integrated and sustainable resource management. With expertise spanning environmental biotechnology, engineering biology, water and waste treatment, and remediation, our centre is well-equipped to address these intricate challenges. Find out more about our work here.
  
  

  Our Values and Commitments
  
  

  Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.
  
  

  We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.
  
  

  Working Arrangements
  
  

  Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.
  
  

  How to apply
  
  

  For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Professor Frederic Coulon, Professor of Environmental Chemistry & Microbiology, on (T : or (E):
  
  

  Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: Please quote reference number 4800.
  
  

  Closing date for receipt of applications: 24 April 2024