Communications Specialist II - Science Communications
About the job
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
- Two years of related experience are required.
- Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications is required.
- The ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others is required.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills are required.
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills are required.
- The ability to present information clearly and concisely is required.
- Serve as a science writer for Texas A&M AgriLife, elevating the standard, clarity, and impact of research storytelling across the organization.
- Write and edit science-driven stories, features, and news content for AgriLife Today, ensuring accuracy, appropriate context, and accessibility for scientific and general-public audiences.
- Translate technical findings from faculty, researchers, and Extension specialists into narratives suitable for digital newsroom distribution and earned media pickup.
- Coordinate across internal and external stakeholders, including leadership, social media, photo and video, media relations, web, and graphic design.
- Serve as the dedicated communications point of contact for assigned units and build ongoing relationships with department heads, center directors, faculty, and staff to identify story opportunities.
- Track research publications, grants, awards, and AgriLife Extension milestones within assigned units to surface newsworthy content.
- Coordinate with unit leadership to align messaging with departmental and college priorities and maintain a consistent editorial cadence for each unit.
- Contribute to and help maintain web content on KPEP websites, ensuring content is current, accurate, and consistent with editorial and brand standards.
- Steward brand messaging, voice, and tone across platforms to ensure consistency and alignment with the overall communications strategy.
- Serve as backup and provide additional support for the Texas A&M AgriLife-wide digital calendar.
- Manage and support ad hoc projects and assignments in coordination with the web team.
- Monitor and analyze the effectiveness of communication efforts and campaigns using metrics and analytics tools.
- Prepare reports and presentations for internal stakeholders, providing insights and recommendations for continuous improvement, including assigned-unit content performance.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- A bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, Agricultural Communications, Life Sciences, or a related field is preferred.
- A master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred.
- Three or more years of experience in science writing, journalism, or communications, ideally in a research, higher-education, or agricultural setting, are preferred.
- Experience writing for a digital newsroom, magazine, or news publication is preferred.
- Prior experience covering agriculture, natural resources, or life-sciences research is preferred.
- Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, including the ability to translate complex scientific or technical information into clear, accurate content for general audiences, are preferred.
- Working knowledge of Associated Press style and journalistic writing conventions is preferred.
- Familiarity with life sciences, agriculture, natural resources, or a related scientific field sufficient to interview researchers and accurately represent their work is preferred.
- Experience building and maintaining relationships with faculty, researchers, or subject-matter experts to identify and develop story ideas is preferred.
- Understanding of earned media and media-relations practices, including pitching science stories to journalists, is preferred.
- Strong project-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple assignments, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously, are preferred.
- Interpersonal and verbal communication skills for coordinating across marketing and communications functions are preferred.
- The ability to maintain brand voice, tone, and editorial consistency across multiple platforms and content types is preferred.
About the company
Texas A&M AgriLife Research conducts scientific work in agriculture and life sciences across Texas, with its headquarters in College Station and a statewide network of research centers. It produces research findings, practical solutions, and new technologies, sharing them through reports, publications, and hands-on extension work to help farmers, industries, and communities. Its breadth and ties to the Texas A&M University System, plus a history dating back to the Hatch Act, enable coordinated, multidisciplinary work across many crops, climates, and production systems. The goal is to improve Texas agriculture’s productivity, sustainability, and economic resilience by generating knowledge and turning it into usable tools and practices for farmers and related industries.
Company Size
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Company Stage
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Total Funding
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Headquarters
College Station, Texas
Founded
1887
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- On August 19, 2026, EPA registration enabled Silvec's citrus-greening therapy commercialization.
- On September 3, 2026, AgriLife won a $2 million USDA APHIS bird-flu grant.
- The January 21, 2026 Canyon center opening strengthens High Plains recruitment and visibility.
What critics are saying
- Florida growers get Silvec's citrus product first in late 2026, limiting Texas monetization.
- AgriLife's bird-flu study starts February 2027; HPAI outbreaks can outrun publication cycles.
- If commercialization stalls, AgriLife stays a cost center and loses industry partners.
What makes Texas A&M AgriLife Research unique
- Since 1887, AgriLife Research pairs 13 Texas centers with College Station and 1,700 employees.
- Its Weslaco, Amarillo-to-Canyon, and regional labs turn field problems into deployable ag solutions.
- The university system backs long-horizon crop, livestock, and wildlife research few employers match.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Paid Holidays
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Vacation
Wellness Program
Conference Attendance Budget
Company News
MyLand has expanded its soil health initiative in Texas with $2.4M funding, enhancing its collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Research. The project will explore microalgae's benefits across 22,000 acres, focusing on nutrient density, water efficiency, soil salinity, citrus greening, and turf quality. This expansion aims to improve soil health, food quality, and agricultural sustainability, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships in resilient agriculture.