The Genetic Literacy Project (geneticliteracyproject.org) is seeking an experienced social media and content coordinator to join our team. The position is half time. Depending upon performance, and if our budget allows, this position could be full time with benefits.
The GLP is a mostly web-based, non-partisan educational outreach nonprofit founded to challenge misinformation about innovation in human genetics—such things as ‘designer babies’ and gene therapy—and the agricultural biotechnology revolution (GMOs, CRISPR gene editing) that has helped quadruple food production over the past 75 years. We produce a ‘Daily Digest’ (Monday-Friday) news feed encapsulating breaking/interesting stories in our space. Each week we carry numerous feature stories, many from our stable of writers/scientists, and a weekly podcast. Our editorial team is well-respected for working cooperatively with editors and writers, who have complete editorial independence.
The ideal candidate would have editorial (but not necessarily technical) experience in science (genetics and biotechnology) and be versed in the often-contentious controversies over food/farming (agricultural crop biotechnology, crop chemicals, sustainable agriculture); and biomedicine (CRISPR gene editing to battle diseases, gene therapy, and vaccine hesitancy).
More recently, we’ve extended our scope to cover the contentious debates around climate change and food security, gene drives to contain killer pests such as disease-carrying mosquitoes, synthetic biology, public health and vaccine hesitancy, and artificial intelligence (AI). Although most people welcome these innovations, adoption is being hindered by antiquated regulations and some are under attack, often from the left and the right.
The successful candidate would have a commitment to nuanced, solution-driven storytelling and an interest in translating wonky science, policy, and media issues for a wider audience. Our eclectic readership includes the public, journalists, policymakers, and scientists. She/he should be comfortable producing podcasts and creating short-form video news content for social media, including scripted speaking on science controversies. You would also need a working familiarity with basic AI-driven research, which is helpful in producing stories for our podcast and videos. Our goal is not just posting; we are looking for someone to engage on social media, including creating and participating in conversations with readers.
The social media coordinator would interact on a variety of platforms, possibly including (but not exclusively–we’re hiring you to help guide us!) Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter/X, Threads, Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, etc. Our goal is to broaden our readership to include Gen Z, Millennials and GenX. You would advise us and oversee the best mix of social media engagement across platforms. Responsibilities include:
- Conceptualizing and executing the GLP social media strategy, which you will help devise
- Writing social media content for various social media sites from the GLP’s daily news output
- Monitoring, moderating and responding to Facebook and X (Twitter) comments and on other social media platforms
- Scheduling daily and weekly social media posts through Buffer or other social media scheduler
- Scheduling daily and weekly newsletters through MailChimp, including occasionally updating the template
- Producing, promoting, and leveraging video content for Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube, etc.
- Generating monthly social media performance and strategy reports
This position offers flexibility, allowing work from home at your pace. It sometimes requires availability in the mornings (before 10AM ET), although much of the work can be done at one's own schedule. Estimated time commitment is 4 hours a day, Monday through Friday. There are opportunities for expanding hours and even becoming full-time with benefits.
Although the social media coordinator’s primary focus, at least at the beginning, is advancing social media and newsletter engagement, there are opportunities to take on broader editorial responsibilities such as daily story screening, small editing projects, and more extensive video content creation. There is tremendous opportunity to learn and grow.
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The GLP is committed to communicating solutions-based science and (this is what distinguishes us!) challenging purveyors of mis/disinformation. We expose science denialism, whether it's vaccine disinformation campaigns from the Hollywood left or Trumpian right or biotechnology-related propaganda promoted by corporations or activist anti-GMO ideologues.
The GLP is the most-read online resource on biotechnology policy issues, with 25,000-45,000 daily readers, upwards of 8 million views annually. We strive to be a resource for the public, media, researchers, policymakers and regulators. We are not ideological or partisan; our moniker is “Science Not Ideology”. That said, we encourage our independent writers, almost all freelancers, to take positions on controversial issues when appropriate.
The GLP believes biotechnology is a force for constructive innovation. Our board includes a former president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), head of pediatrics at Mass General Hospital for Children/Harvard Medical School and one of the nation's leading bioethicists, who is at the University of Chicago. We have worked with a range of outreach groups from the Brooking Institute and Aspen Institute on the left to the American Enterprise Institute and CATO on the moderate right, and we want to expand our non-partisan associations, engagement and partnerships.
Salary: Dependent on experience/expertise. It initially pays $22-$25/hour, based on experience and execution. For those with extraordinary competency and execution, other considerations are possible. We reward proficiency and initiative.
Note: We do require a writing proficiency evaluation as part of the interview process. For us to get a better understanding of your comprehension and writing skills, please complete a Social Media evaluation. It should take no more than 30 minutes. Return it via Indeed or through email if you have established contact by this juncture.
Job Types: Part-time, Contract
Pay: From $25.00 per hour
Expected hours: 20 per week
Benefits:
Schedule:
Work Location: Remote