Communications Officer

This is an exciting opportunity to join Understanding Animal Research (UAR) at a time when clear, consistent, and evidence-informed science communication matters more than ever.

As our communications officer, you will lead the use of our social media platforms and help bring complex and sometimes sensitive science to life by creating accurate, accessible content that informs public debate, supports the UK life sciences and animal health community, and strengthens openness about animal research. You will be at the heart of our day-to-day digital communications, turning agreed priorities into engaging content across social media, newsletters, websites, campaigns, and events.

You will have opportunities to visit member organisations across the UK and collaborate with universities, research institutes, contract research organisations, funders, and government agencies, working closely with UAR’s video producer to create engaging content.

In this role you will:

• Turn communications priorities into practical social media and newsletter plans, schedules, and high-quality content.
• Create, publish, and monitor engaging, platform-appropriate content across UAR’s digital channels, including TikTok.
• Help shape newsletters from first idea to final send—coordinating copy, contributors, approvals, mailing lists, and quality checks.
• Write and update clear, accessible content for websites, campaigns, and events, supported by simple branded graphics and short-form video.
• Find strong stories and useful contributions from colleagues, members, Concordat signatories, and partners.
• Use analytics, audience insight, and feedback to sharpen content, improve reach, and strengthen engagement.
• Keep content workflows, permissions, approvals and records organised and accurate.
• Support the delivery of digital communications skills workshops and training for member organisations.
• Respond thoughtfully to routine enquiries and online conversations, spotting and escalating reputational risks when needed.

About you

You are a resourceful and creative communications professional who enjoys solving problems, notices the details others miss, and is willing to think outside the box. You can turn complexity into clarity without losing accuracy, and you are equally comfortable generating ideas, creating content, and making sure the practical details are right.

• You have experience planning, creating and publishing social media content across multiple channels.
• You can produce effective email newsletters, coordinating content, approvals, mailing lists, scheduling, and pre-send checks.
• You write and edit with clarity, accuracy, and sound judgement, adapting your approach for different audiences and platforms.
• You are confident using social publishing, email marketing, content management, and analytics tools.
• You are a natural problem solver who stays calm, asks the right questions and finds practical ways forward.
• You have exceptional attention to detail and take pride in getting facts, tone, formatting, and processes right.
• You think creatively and are prepared to challenge routine approaches when there is a better way to reach or engage an audience.
• You are organised, collaborative, and able to keep several pieces of work moving without losing sight of deadlines or quality.
• You are comfortable speaking in public.
• You share our commitment to open, responsible and evidence-based science communication.

This is a chance to build your communications experience in a distinctive national organisation through working with leading universities, research institutions, charities, funders, industry, and government to make an important area of science better understood.

Download the full job description on our website: https://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/news/job-advertisement-communications-officer

Salary: £33,000 per annum, plus pension contribution and a 10% flexible benefits scheme after probation, 26 days’ annual leave, bank holidays, and three days’ office closure between Christmas and the new year.
Location: Hybrid / King’s Cross, London, with at least two office days (currently Tuesday and Thursday) each week.
Hours: Permanent, full-time, 35 hours per week, with flexible working patterns and core hours of 10:00–16:00.

To apply, please submit your CV and a supporting statement showing how you meet the criteria to Victoria Summers at [email protected] by 23:59 on Sunday 8 November 2026.

You can also contact Victoria for an informal discussion. We will be in touch with applicants during the week of 16 November 2026. Interviews will be held in the UAR office during the week of 23 November 2026

UAR welcomes applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences and is committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; UAR is unable to sponsor work visas and our office is not wheelchair accessible.

Pay: £33,000.00 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in London NW1 0NH