The Wuppertal Institute is a practice-oriented research institute operating at the national and international levels, with roots in North Rhine-Westphalia and a global perspective. Together with its stakeholders, the Institute shapes transformation processes with the vision of creating a sustainable world for all. In doing so, the staff always keep the big picture in mind and combine expertise from various research fields and subject areas. The more than 320 employees have made it their mission to shape the knowledge of tomorrow through their interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches.
Accompanying transformation processes and generating societal impact—that is one of the Wuppertal Institute’s central goals. As a bridge between research, politics, business, and civil society, we view science communication not as an afterthought, but as an integral part of applied research. We focus on dialogue-based, transparent, and accessible communication that reaches new target audiences through tailored narratives and proactive agenda-setting, while effectively countering disinformation. Whether through cross-media campaigns, systematic integration with our impact management, or empowering our researchers through targeted training: we shape knowledge transfer in innovative and creative ways to feed scientific findings into societal debates at an early stage.
Your Responsibilities
Science Communication
Science Outreach: Collaborating on the translation of complex studies, specialized publications, and research papers into social media content tailored to specific target audiences, stakeholder-focused, cross-media, and visually appealing (e.g., carousel posts, infographic series).
Independent Channel Management: Managing and overseeing our social media channels from concept to publication, including active community management, multi-channel planning, and data-driven performance analysis.
Assisting with editorial oversight of the institute’s LinkedIn activities.
Consulting & Capacity Building: Advising researchers on external communication regarding format and channels, as well as conducting internal training sessions on social media.
Target Audience Expansion: Visual and educational presentation of complex sustainability and research topics to reach new, younger, and socio-politically relevant target audiences.
Conceptualization and management of collaborations with influencers on relevant platforms (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, Twitch).
Exploration of new visual formats and platforms (e.g., TikTok).
Further development of the video strategy (e.g., YouTube Shorts, promotional videos, video statements), as well as the conceptualization and production of video formats for the Wuppertal Institute’s social media channels, website, and events, and for the project communications of its researchers.
Your Profile
A successfully completed degree from a university of applied sciences (Bachelor’s/Master’s), preferably in the field of visual communication, communication design, social media management, media production, PR, or a comparable qualification.
Strong expertise in science communication: the ability to quickly grasp complex scientific studies, condense them editorially, adapt them to the target audience, and translate them into visually appealing, easy-to-understand formats.
Solid practical experience in the conception, management, and data-driven analysis of social media channels (particularly LinkedIn and Instagram), digital communication initiatives, and multi-channel campaigns.
Substantial experience in the development and production of moving-image and visualization formats (e.g., short videos, infographics, video editing).
Strong communication skills, the ability to think in terms of specific target audiences, and the capacity to work independently.
Proficiency in using common design and video editing software (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud with Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva), as well as proficiency in using common MS Office applications and Google Workspace.
Excellent written and spoken German and English skills.
Benefits
Salary in accordance with the TV-L collective bargaining agreement (Pay Grade 9b) and optional participation in a company pension plan (VBLU)
Flexible working conditions (including the option to work remotely)
Close collaboration with the various departments within the organization
Individual training and development opportunities
Numerous recreational activities such as choir, yoga, and bouldering
The position is available as soon as possible on a full-time or part-time basis and is a two-year fixed-term contract.