University of Nebraska System

Job Summary:

The Research Communications Specialist is an integral member of the Nebraska Statewide Workforce & Educational Reporting System (NSWERS) team and supports the organization's communications, research dissemination, and outreach efforts. NSWERS connects education and workforce data to provide insights that help Nebraskans make informed decisions about education, workforce development, and the state's future.

The position is geared toward a strong writer, editor, and communicator who can translate complex research, data, and technical information into clear, accurate, engaging, and accessible content for a variety of audiences. The Research Communications Specialist is responsible for writing, editing, and ensuring publication-quality standards are met for content distributed across a variety of platforms, including research briefs, special reports, executive summaries, news releases, websites, newsletters, social media, presentations, and other public-facing materials.

Additional Info

About Us:

The Nebraska P-20W information system, known as NSWERS, is a partnership of the Nebraska prekindergarten, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary educational systems to use data and information to further evidence-based policy and practices. The NSWERS partners also work in affiliation with the Nebraska Department of Labor to examine the intersection of education and the workforce with the goal of providing research-based insight to meet Nebraska's current and future workforce needs. More information is available at https://nswers.org.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, educational psychology, communications, English, research, social sciences, or a related field

3 years relevant professional communications, research communications, journalism, public relations, government, higher education, nonprofit, or related experience

Experience writing and editing content for publication, research communications, reports, executive summaries, or other professional content with demonstrated attention to accuracy, clarity, organization, and style.

Demonstrated professional writing, editing, proofreading, and publication-quality review skills.

Demonstrated knowledge of and experience applying American Psychological Association (APA), or Modern Language Association (MLA) styles.

Ability to communicate complex research, data, and technical information clearly and accurately to nontechnical audiences.

Equivalent combination of education and experience, that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

Ability to interview subject-matter experts about research, data, education, workforce, policy, or related topics and translate that information into engaging and accessible content for intended audiences.

Experience writing about complex research, data, policy, education, workforce, or technical topics for general or nontechnical audiences.

Experience creating research briefs, special reports, executive summaries, literature reviews, or similar research-based communications.

Experience with grant research, grant writing, proposal development, and/or editing grant applications.

Professional communications experience in a university, government, research, education, workforce, or nonprofit setting.

Experience using social media platforms, including X and LinkedIn, to develop, publish, and manage professional or organizational content.

Experience using a content management system, such as WordPress, or a similar platform.

Experience using Adobe Creative Suite or similar design and publishing tools.

Experience promoting research products and/or outreach activities for an organization.

Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, organizational skills, and ability to successfully manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

Experience collaborating with researchers, data scientists, leadership, external partners, or other subject-matter experts

Additional Information:

The ideal candidate demonstrates exceptional writing and editing skills, strong attention to detail, sound judgment, an ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines, and a commitment to producing accurate, publication-quality work in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

Special Instructions:

Position will be located on-site in Lincoln, NE