AAS Nova

AAS Media Fellowship Now Open for Applications

By on AAS News
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Photograph of a female speaker at a podium next to a row of seated panelists behind a banner that reads "American Astronomical Society"
2018–2019 AAS Media Fellow Kerry Hensley emcees a press conference at the 234th meeting of the American Astronomical Society.

Are you an astronomy graduate student who’s interested in science communication? Do you wish you had the opportunity to explore that interest and gain professional development without having to take time off from your graduate studies? Do you want to write for AAS Nova, report on astronomy meetings, and help organize and run press conferences?

Then the AAS Media Fellowship might be for you! This position was developed in 2017 by the American Astronomical Society to provide training and experience for a graduate student in the astronomical sciences interested in science communication. The fellowship is a remote, quarter-time, one year (with the possibility of extension to two years) position intended to be filled by a current graduate student at a US institution. The new AAS Media Fellowship term will begin in Fall 2021.

If this sounds like a good fit for you, you can get more information below or at the job register posting. Apply by 23 July 2021 by submitting your contact information, advisor approval, a cover letter, and a short CV to personnel@aas.org. See the job register posting for the full application details.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The AAS Media Fellow will report to the AAS Communications Manager. The Fellow will work the equivalent of one day per week (on a schedule that will be jointly developed and agreed upon by the Fellow, the AAS Communications Manager, and the AAS Communications Specialist) and be responsible for a wide range of duties. The Fellow will be expected to:

  • Assist in sharing astronomy press releases via AAS Press Office channels.
  • Regularly write and publish articles for AAS Nova.
  • Occasionally help to prepare other written communications such as AAS or Division press releases.
  • Assist in managing AAS communications such as social media accounts, postings to the AAS website, and emails to members or authors.
  • Serve as backup to the AAS Communications Manager or the AAS Communications Specialist during absences.
  • At the AAS winter and summer meetings, help the AAS Communications Manager plan and run press conferences, help represent AAS Nova, and help organize live-blogging coverage of the meeting for Astrobites and AAS Nova.

Qualifications

The Fellow must:

  • Be a graduate student in good standing in the astronomical sciences or a related field at a U.S. institution.
  • Receive the approval of their advisor or department chair to apply.
  • Receive their primary support from their home institution.
  • Have a keen eye for detail and accuracy.
  • Have the ability to absorb complex material, synthesize information, and write short articles that concisely reflect key points of the material to a target audience.
  • Have good working knowledge of, and/or ability to quickly master, tools such as WordPress, Drupal, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Creative Suite.

Compensation

The stipend for this position is $7,500 per year for the equivalent of one day of work per week; payable on a quarterly basis. Travel support will also be provided for travel to the summer and winter AAS meetings.