Science writer

The London Institute for Mathematical Sciences is unique. That’s not only because we’re Britain’s first independent institute for physics and mathematics, but also because we believe that communicating our discoveries is as important as making them.

At the 2022 Webby Awards our website was named as one of five best science websites in the world, alongside Science and NASA. The Royal Institution, where we’re based, leads the world in science communication. Meanwhile, our commitment to science writing has seen us publish articles in The Times, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph.

Now we are looking for an outstanding science writer to carve out a new role, which will take our science communication to the next level. As well as liaising with our scientists to write succinct summaries of their research, this will involve a mixture of writing longer articles about our discoveries for the science press, adding to and maintaining the copy on our website, and helping us to develop our soft power through our opinion pieces, relationships and events.

About the candidate

This position requires a rare pairing of qualities: an understanding of physics or mathematics with a proven flair for science writing. You will have studied physics or mathematics at university and have a track record of writing in publications such as Wired, Quanta, The Spectator, Scientific American and the broadsheets. Candidate values include clarity, precision, ambition, imagination, irreverence, originality, commitment, simplicity, style, teamwork and vision.

Job

The role will involve a mixture of the following:

•  Liaise with our scientists to write short, compelling summaries of our papers and events for our website.
•  Write longer pieces for the press, celebrating our insights and shaping the debate on how to organise discovery.
•  Write modular copy for our website about our papers, events and funding, working closely with our design team.
•  Develop our relations with science editors, authors and journalists, who regularly visit us at the Royal Institution.
•  Help us achieve our annual research target by tracking weekly progress on writing and publishing research papers.
•  Work with our writer Thomas Hodgkinson to collaborate on articles and refine our house style.
•  Show up for work in Mayfair every day to interact and collaborate with colleagues—we do not work from home.

Applying

To apply, send a CV and cover letter to at@lims.ac.uk. While there is no deadline–we will continue to consider applications until the position has been filled–we are looking for someone to start as soon as possible.

London Institute

The London Institute for Mathematical Sciences is the UK’s only independent institute for research in physics and mathematics. It gives scientists the freedom and support to make fundamental discoveries full-time. There are no teaching duties.

The Institute is located at the Royal Institution in Mayfair. This historic building has witnessed the discovery of ten chemical elements and the principles of electromagnetism, and it boasts 15 Nobel prizes.

You can learn more about the London Institute at our About and Opinions pages.