Schmidt Sciences

Supports under-supported AI, space, bioscience, climate

Astrophysics and Space Communications Associate

PR & CommunicationsConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-time$120k - $150k /yrIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, or a related field is required.
Three to five years of professional communications experience is required.
Previous success pitching stories and working with the press is required.
Strong working knowledge of astrophysics, observational astronomy, astronomical instrumentation, and computational tools is required.
Ability to translate complex technical topics into clear, compelling narratives for non-expert audiences is required.
A strong track record of collaborating with researchers, scientists, or technical subject matter experts is required.
Experience using artificial intelligence tools to enhance day-to-day workflows and productivity is required.
Experience managing websites, digital content platforms, and social channels is required.
Familiarity with analytics tools and audience engagement metrics is required.
Strong project management skills and ability to coordinate multiple initiatives simultaneously are required.
High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment are required.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of clear, unified narratives for the organization's astrophysics portfolio of programs.
Serve as a thought partner to astrophysics program staff on positioning, messaging, and presentation support.
Highlight the voices and work of astrophysics grantees through profiles, interviews, and feature stories.
Draft and edit written materials, including press releases, website content, reports, blog posts, newsletters, op-eds, social posts, speeches, and explainer materials.
Translate complex astrophysics, instrumentation, and scientific research into accessible language for diverse audiences, including the media and the public.
Pitch stories to journalists, podcasters, and other influencers in astrophysics, space science, and the general public.
Ensure consistency in tone, brand, and messaging across communications.
Collaborate on multimedia storytelling for the Astrophysics and Space Center, including video, audio, interactive features, and short-form explainers.
Develop content, maintain a calendar, and post to the organization's social media channels.
Monitor and analyze communications performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness and inform strategy.
Identify opportunities to use digital tools, data visualization, or emerging artificial intelligence technologies to strengthen communications.
Maintain an active understanding of astrophysics research trends across academia and industry so messaging remains timely and credible.
Monitor astrophysics grantee publications and funded research for amplification on owned media channels.
Manage incoming communications requests from internal teams and external partners for the Astrophysics and Space Center, ensuring accuracy and adherence to brand standards.
Provide general project support to the Communications Director as needed.
Collaborate with colleagues across programs.
Travel nationally or internationally as required.

Desired Qualifications

Experience working in philanthropic, academic, research, or technology-focused institutions.
An emerging network of connections at publications, social media channels, and other domains covering astrophysics and space news.
Experience with data analysis or visualization tools.
Design sensibility and working knowledge of creative tools such as Adobe Creative Suite or audio/video editing software.
A portfolio demonstrating science or space storytelling.
Interest in or exposure to both academic and industry astrophysics research environments.
Experience with analytics, audience engagement metrics, or performance tracking.

Salary Range: 120000 to 150000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs with the most promising, advanced tools to support a thriving planet. The organization prioritizes research in areas poised for impact including AI and advanced computing, astrophysics, biosciences, climate, and space—as well as supporting researchers in a variety of disciplines through its science systems program.

About the Astrophysics and Space Center

The Astrophysics and Space Center at Schmidt Sciences seeks to expand the frontiers of astrophysics and accelerate discovery through cutting-edge technology, world-class talent and a fundamentally new approach to building the tools of astronomy. At the center of this effort is the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Observatory System, a coordinated suite of next-generation ground- and space-based facilities, including the Lazuli space observatory, designed to compress observatory development from decades to years and anchor an integrated scientific ecosystem.

The Role

Schmidt Sciences seeks a Communications Associate to help our growing Astrophysics and Space Center to bridge the gap between complex technical research and accessible, impactful narratives. This hands-on role requires both strong communications skills and a meaningful working knowledge of astrophysics research topics and related sciences. The ideal candidate combines deep experience in science or technology communications with technical fluency in astrophysics, observational astronomy, astronomical instrumentation and data-intensive discovery. They are equally comfortable collaborating with leading researchers and shaping public-facing narratives that inform, inspire, and build trust. Working closely with the communications team and the Astrophysics and Space Center, the Communications Associate will support the development of messaging and content that elevates the work of Schmidt Sciences and its grantees. Reporting to the Communications Director, the Communications Associate will play a role in developing strategy and executing content across Schmidt Sciences' astrophysics and space portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development of clear, unified narratives for Schmidt Sciences' astrophysics portfolio of programs

Serve as a thought partner to astrophysics program staff on positioning, messaging and presentation support

Highlight the voices and work of astrophysics grantees through profiles, interviews and feature stories

Draft and edit high-quality written materials including press releases, website content, reports, blog posts, newsletters, op-eds, social posts, speeches and explainer materials

Translate complex astrophysics, instrumentation and scientific research into accessible language for diverse audiences including media, and the public

Pitch stories to journalists, podcasters, and other influencers in astrophysics and space science and the general public

Ensure consistency in tone, brand, and messaging across communications

Collaborate on multimedia storytelling efforts for the Astrophysics and Space Center, including video, audio, interactive features and short-form explainers

Draft and develop content, calendar and post to Schmidt Sciences social media channels

Monitor and analyze communications performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness and inform strategy

Identify opportunities to innovate using digital tools, data visualization or emerging AI technologies to strengthen communications

Maintain an active understanding of trends in astrophysics research across academia and industry to ensure messaging remains timely and credible

Monitor astrophysics grantee publications and Schmidt Sciences-funded research for amplification on owned media channels

Manage incoming communications requests from internal teams and external partners for the Astrophysics and Space Center, ensuring accuracy and adherence to brand standards

Provide general project support to the communications director as needed

Collaborate closely with colleagues across programs

Some national or international travel will be required

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, astronomy, astrophysics, physics or a related field

3 - 5 years of professional experience in communications

Previous experience pitching stories successfully and working with the press

Strong working knowledge of astrophysics, observational astronomy, astronomical instrumentation and computational tools

Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical topics into clear, compelling narratives for non-expert audiences

Strong track record of collaboration with researchers, scientists or technical subject matter experts

Excellent writing and editing skills

Experience using AI tools to enhance day-to-day workflows and productivity

Experience managing websites, digital content platforms and social channels

Familiarity with analytics tools and audience engagement metrics

Strong project management skills and ability to coordinate multiple initiatives simultaneously

High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in philanthropic, academic, research or technology-focused institutions

Emerging network of connections at publications, social media channels and other domains that cover astrophysics and space news

Experience with data analysis or visualization tools

Design sensibility and working knowledge of creative tools such as Adobe Creative Suite or audio/video editing software

Portfolio demonstrating science or space storytelling

Interest in or exposure to both academic and industry astrophysics research environments

Experience with analytics, audience engagement metrics, or performance tracking

This is an exempt position.

Schmidt Sciences, is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a

diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color,

religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual

orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local,

state, or federal laws or prohibited by Company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and

strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.

About the Company

Schmidt Sciences

Supports under-supported AI, space, bioscience, climate

Schmidt Sciences is a philanthropy that funds and accelerates science and technology by identifying under-supported or unconventional areas of exploration and discovery. It seeks ideas, people, and techniques across AI and Advanced Computing, Astrophysics and Space, Biosciences, Climate, and Cross-Science programs to catalyze results for society. Its way of working is through funding, fellowships, and collaborative programs that support researchers and projects across disciplines, rather than selling a product. The organization differentiates itself by focusing on overlooked or risky areas and by fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration to deepen understanding of the natural world and develop solutions to global issues. The goal is to advance scientific knowledge and practical technologies that address global challenges and benefit society at large.

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