Purpose of the post

In this newly created, fixed-term role, you will play an important role in creating content and communications to demonstrate the value of large-scale health data and the tangible difference it is making to people’s lives.

A major focus will be showcasing the impact of health data science in advancing treatments for dementia and neurodegenerative disease, working closely with the team leading our brain health programme and its various partners across the UK.

You will create a range of high-quality, accurate and compelling content to help deliver our communications strategy, strengthen our partnerships and support the institute’s goals. Our target audiences include a variety of stakeholders, the research community, industry, patients and the public, healthcare professionals and policymakers. The role reports to the Research Communications Manager and you will be a key member of the Communications and External Affairs team at HDR UK.

We are seeking an individual with a track record in science communications who has worked on complex projects with multiple partners. The successful candidate will share our values, have strong influencing and collaboration skills, be comfortable with working at pace and have a passion for high-quality and engaging content.

It is a fantastic opportunity for someone with a deep interest in science and health research, who has strong writing skills and creative storytelling ideas, and enjoys getting to grips with the detail as well as making it accessible to different audiences

Main responsibilities

• Help deliver HDR UK’s communication strategy, with a specific focus on communicating the work and impacts of our brain health and neurodegenerative disease programmes.
• Create high-quality, accurate and engaging content that knows its purpose and target audiences, which include stakeholders and industry, as well as policymakers and the public. Content can include case studies, news stories, feature articles, blogs, newsletters, events, social media posts, videos, media relations and more.
• Coordinate content and communications with partners in our programmes, understanding their aims, sharing credit and amplifying reach and engagement.
• Work with the Research Communications Manager to build and maintain good networks with a wide range of stakeholders. This includes researchers and data scientists in our programmes across the UK, communications contacts at partner organisations, funders, policymakers and public contributors.
• Through this network and your own knowledge and experience, identify stories that demonstrate the value of health data research and the role of HDR UK in this sector.
• Publish timely and engaging content on HDR UK’s communication channels, including websites, social media, newsletters and events.
• Work with the Digital Content Manager to review analytics across our digital communications channels and use these insights to improve our content and communications.
• Ensure our communications are shaped by patients and the public as needed, working with the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement team.
• Ensure communication materials produced adhere to HDR UK brand guidelines and meet accessibility criteria.