pyOpenSci is hiring a Communications Lead

Job: writer & social media specialist

Last Updated: 2024-12-13

About the role

pyOpenSci seeks a talented Writer and Social Media Specialist to enhance our communications and engagement with the scientific Python community. This position involves crafting engaging content highlighting our online learning content, tutorials, events, and package ecosystem for our social media channels, newsletters, and blog to keep our community informed and inspired. It also involved reviewing and editing educational content. This is an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about open science and skilled in clear, impactful communication. The position requires 10-15 hours per week at a rate of 25-40$/hour based on experience, with the flexibility of remote, part-time work. There is some flexibility in this position week-to-week based on pyOpenSci’s deadlines. This is a non-regular, part-time, remote, non-exempt position. This position will report to the pyOpenSci Executive Director. Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States.

About pyOpenSci

pyOpenSci is a vibrant and diverse scientific open source community that develops processes and guidelines for creating and maintaining scientific Python packages and develops educational content around creating Python packages, sharing code, and engaging in open science practices. Our mission is to help make science more open and collaborative while also increasing the participation of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the open source community.

pyOpenSci runs an open peer review process for scientific Python software. Through this program, we reinforce community-defined packaging guidelines while improving usability, documentation, and package quality. Further, we are curating a database of vetted scientific Python tools that are actively maintained.

A core part of our mission is to increase the participation of historically underrepresented groups in open science and open source. We achieve this by providing mentorship, translating resources, offering training scholarships, and partnering with global organizations.

pyOpenSci is a fiscally sponsored project of Community Initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• Social Media Management: Create and schedule posts on platforms including Mastodon, LinkedIn, BlueSky, and YouTube. Ensure our content is engaging, consistent, and aligns with pyOpenSci’s mission.
  • LinkedIn is currently our most active platform. As such, you will spend time writing our LinkedIn newsletters and developing graphic and text content for posts that keep the community up-to-date and engaged with our efforts.
  • pyOpenSci currently uses Buffer to manage scheduled posts and associated analytics.
• Content Creation: Write and edit newsletters, blog posts, and other materials to update our community on pyOpenSci’s programs, new resources, and events.
  • Create supporting graphics to enhance engagement.
  • Contribute to and review online lessons being developed by pyOpenSci
• Community Engagement: Interact with our online community to foster engagement, respond to questions, and keep conversations aligned with our goals.
• Content Planning: Work with the pyOpenSci team to develop a content calendar that supports key events, initiatives, and outreach goals.

pyOpenSci also has plans to launch a YouTube channel. Video editing skills are not required for this position but are a bonus.

What we’re looking for

• Communication Skills: Excellent written communication skills with experience creating strategic content for social media, blogs, and newsletters.
• Community-Oriented: Passion for engaging with the scientific community and supporting our open science mission.
• Attention to Detail: Strong proofreading skills and a knack for creating polished, professional, engaging content.
• Organized and Reliable: Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines in a remote environment.
• Visual Content Creation Skills: Proficiency in creating visually appealing social media graphics with an eye for design and aesthetics, ensuring content is engaging and on-brand.

About You

• Broadly familiar with open science and open source principles and excited about developing content that promotes these principles.
• Experienced in science communication, writing, or a related field.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

Preferred but not required qualifications

• Experience using Python and Git/GitHub.
• Familiarity with video content creation or editing.

What you can expect

In this role, you’ll work closely with our executive director and engage with the pyOpenSci community to amplify our message and increase our visibility. You’ll be able to contribute creatively to our communications and make a tangible impact on the open science movement.

Equal employment opportunity

Community Initiatives is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for employment regardless of age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status.

How to apply

We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, especially those traditionally underrepresented in open science and open source communities. To apply, please email admin@pyopensci.org with the following:

• A current resume.
• A cover letter that discusses your experience developing social content. In that cover letter, please include at least one link, image, or example of each of the following:
  • Social posts that you have created (ideally with graphics you have created),
  • A blog post that you have written that you are proud of
  • Optional: If you have created video content before, please include an example.

Please submit example materials as links or attachments as you see fit.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.