About the Organisation

Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) has a mission is to prevent, treat, and cure brain and nervous system diseases and disabilities. Marking 30 years of impact in 2022, NeuRA's work is more vital than ever, offering fresh insights into neurological and mental health conditions such as dementia, pain, and schizophrenia.

The Role

As the Senior Media and PR Advisor you will have first-hand responsibility for creating and sharing compelling content to boost NeuRA’s media profile, improve brand awareness, enhance public trust, and support to the organisation.

As a key member of the Communications team, you will work closely with NeuRA’s scientists and clinicians to positively position NeuRA through consistent communication across various channels. Your target audiences will include current and prospective donors, funding bodies, and the scientific community.

This is a role well suited to media and PR enthusiast, who continuously has their ear to the ground when it comes to news and are always on the lookout for a great story opportunity. They will be a natural born writer and have exceptional eye for detail, as well as able to build rapport and relationships with stakeholders internally and externally.
  
This role is pivotal in driving the brand's narrative and visibility. This role requires a proven track record in media relations and strategic messaging, to shape the external communications and enhance their reputation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervise the management and prioritisation of media inquiries, offering guidance to researchers and team members on responding and preparing materials for media and communication channels, including the website and social networks.
• Coordinate and support NeuRA’s proactive media response, in collaboration with the Director of Communications as needed.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key media stakeholders and online platforms.
• Oversee daily media monitoring, generating regular reports on media mentions and social engagement metrics to inform continuous improvement.
• Draft, manage, and supervise the production and approval processes for NeuRA Magazine (published quarterly) and NeuRA’s Annual Report with support from the Director of Communications.
• Collaborate with the Digital Communications Officer on digital content.
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with all research groups, media, and both internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the fundraising team in campaigns to garner support and donations.
• Provide media advice to research staff, including media training, to maximise the impact of NeuRA’s PR activities.
• Build a repository of case studies for media, fundraising, and social campaigns in alignment with NeuRA’s Ambassador Program.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in journalism, communications, marketing, or equivalent.
• Previous experience in PR, communications, media or similar.
• Experience in agency/hospital/university, with specific experience in science/healthcare communications highly desirable. Experience in the not-for-profit sector is favourable but not essential.
• Superb writing and editing skills, with an eye for identifying newsworthy story angles.
• Competency in a wide range of communications tools including developing media releases, media briefs, articles, presentations, and social media content.
• Strong ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects to deadline.
• Ensuring accuracy and quality control in all communications.

  
Please apply as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on an immediate basis. Please direct all general enquiries to Kristina at Beaumont People: kristina@beaumontpeople.com.au.

Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) is an international leader in brain and nervous system research. Through the generous support of the Minderoo Foundation, we are excited to offer a unique opportunity for a dedicated Research Fellow to join our team.

As a Research Fellow, you will be embarking on an emerging field in neuroscience research while focusing on a project that values human health and the natural environment. This full-time position is available for a maximum term of three years, reporting to Dr Claire Shepherd, Director, Sydney Brain Bank.

The position will be responsible for working as part of a collaborative network to independently performing research on human brain tissue samples to measure plastic chemicals and particles in brain tissue and determine any impact on brain health. It will also be responsible for liaising with collaborators to drive forward multidisciplinary discovery using different technologies, including mass spectrometry and spatial proteomics, on different biospecimens.

In this new and exciting role, milestones that you could expect to achieve:

Within 3 Months, you will have achieved a thorough understanding of environmental toxins and their effect on brain health;

By the 6-Month Mark, you will have fostered collaborative relationships to advance knowledge of environmental toxins in biospecimens and any challenges or limitations with methodology; and

At the End of Year One, you will have published a review or original article outlining the current body of knowledge and research findings.

To Succeed in this role, you will need:

• Academic qualifications at the level of PhD
• Ability to conduct research with little supervision
• Demonstrate ability for reproducible research through the creation of project electronic notes and workflow
• Experience in research project coordination, including collaborating with team members and consulting with external colleagues and stakeholders
• Co-authored peer-reviewed research reports and first or senior author on some reports
• Analytic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, able to communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Key Skills that would be advantageous:

• Knowledge of neuroscience/neuroanatomy
• Experience in mass spectrometry and/or spatial proteomics
• Experience in immunohistochemistry and microscopy

Encouraging Indigenous Applications

NeuRA is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this position.  

How to Apply:

For more information or a confidential chat about the role, please contact Dr Claire Shepherd (c.shepherd@neura.edu.au).

Please note that applications will not be accepted via other mediums i.e. email  

Closing date: 12 July 2024

EEO and Right to Work Statement

You must have the permanent right to live and work in Australia.

Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity and eliminating discrimination in all our employment policies and practices.

Acknowledgement of Country

NeuRA acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work, and extends respect to all Elders past and present.