Research Communications Officer

Summary of Post

The objective of this post is to provide project communications and outreach support for the RISE HIV and RISE Chems projects within the Department of Tropical Medicine and International Health.

We are seeking an organised and proactive individual with strong communication skills and an interest in health, education and stigma reduction.

The successful candidate will focus on two key areas: 1. the development and ongoing management of the RISE website - setting up, organising and populating a clear, accessible website using a website builder such as Squarespace; and 2. national outreach to healthcare professionals, clinical and third-level institutions, healthcare associations and hospital departments to raise awareness and increase uptake of RISE educational content.

Through this work, the successful candidate will support the visibility and reach of the established RISE HIV module and the upcoming launch of RISE Chems, helping to ensure both resources reach as wide an audience as possible among those working in healthcare and frontline settings.

Specifically, the duties of the post are:

• Support the development, launch and ongoing management of the RISE website, including creating, organising and populating accessible and engaging content.

• Create communications and promotional materials, including social media content, to raise awareness and visibility of the RISE HIV and RISE Chems educational content and resources.

• Identify and engage with relevant healthcare professionals, clinical and third-level institutions, healthcare associations and hospital departments nationally, and maintain a database of these organisations, contacts and stakeholders to support ongoing outreach.

• Draft and circulate professional communications to introduce and promote the RISE HIV and RISE Chems educational resources.

• Work collaboratively with the RISE project team to support outreach activities and the dissemination of RISE resources to relevant healthcare, educational and frontline settings.

• Provide general administrative and project support as required, including coordinating meetings, materials and project documentation.

• Adhere to RCSI’s professional social media policy and practices at all times.

Qualifications (Essential):

A third-level qualification (minimum NFQ Level 8 / honours bachelor's degree) in a relevant discipline, such as science, healthcare, public health, social science, media or communications.

Knowledge & Experience (Essential):

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, accessible content for a range of audiences.

• Good working knowledge of the Irish healthcare and third-level education landscape, sufficient to identify and engage relevant stakeholders effectively.

• Proficiency in digital content and design tools such as Squarespace, Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.

• Awareness of social media for professional engagement and outreach.

• Strong organisational and administrative skills, with excellent attention to detail.

• Ability to plan, prioritise and manage parallel deliverables within agreed timelines.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.

• A proactive and adaptable approach, and a willingness to learn and contribute across a range of project activities.

• An openness to, and interest in, the project's aims (evidence-based health, harm-reduction, inclusive stigma-free education).

Knowledge & Experience (Desirable):

• Experience in health, science or research communications, engagement or content creation.

• Experience communicating scientific or evidence-based information to non-specialist audiences.

• Commitment to continuous learning and personal development.

Family Benefits:

- RCSI offers enhanced family leave to our working parents with fully paid Maternity, Adoptive, Paternity and Surrogacy Leave. We also offer the first two weeks of Parents leave fully paid for, as well as the option to take Parental Leave until your child is 18 years old. We provide access to Platform 55, a new Parents Platform to support staff before, during, and after becoming a parent. We also offer flexible working, discounted Giraffe crèche services of up to 20% and a Parents and Carers’ Network.

Financial Security:

- Benefit from automatic enrolment in a pension scheme with Willis Towers Watson with the employer contributions increasing with your length of service, Death in Service of up to 4 times your salary, long-term illness and disability income replacement, and free advice on health, motor, and home insurance.

Discounted Services:

- Avail of discounted GP services, Taxsaver commuter tickets, the BiketoWork scheme, free eye tests at the National Optometry Centre, and discounted parking at St. Stephen's Green/RCSI car park.

Recognition:

- At RCSI, we value and recognise the contributions of our staff through various awards and events, such as Long Service recognition, the Vice Chancellor Staff Awards, and through Research Day.

Professional Growth:

- RCSI’s Staff Learning and Development is committed to providing colleagues with opportunities and support to help them reach their full potential and thrive at work. Offerings include a comprehensive programme of staff training, management and leadership development, mentoring, coaching and funding support for further study.

Staff Networks:

- Additionally, we support a range of staff networks, including the Women’s Network, Postdoctoral Staff Network, Parents & Carers’ Network, Project Manager’s Network, LGBTI+ Network, Age Friendly Network etc. These networks help RCSI to foster a sense of community and inclusivity.

Sports and Social Club:

- Engage in a variety of activities such as Yoga, Pilates and a variety of different Fitness classes. Enjoy social evenings, Book Clubs, Summer BBQs and one-off events like the Taste of Dublin, Bloom, Dublin Horse Show and Dublin Zoo. We also have a variety of discount tickets for shows and events through the year.