Imagine: a researcher rushes over to you with excitement, eager to share the discovery of the week. “Using low-frequency polarimetric interferometry, we detected circularly polarized emission from a brown dwarf: evidence of stellar auroral emission! Perhaps exoplanets exhibit this too!”

You understand exactly what they mean. And you know precisely how to tell it so that a journalist in Amsterdam thinks: “I want to write about this” — and a student in Groningen thinks: “I want to do this one day.”

Then ASTRON is looking for you.

ASTRON is looking for a

Science Communicator

What you will do

You are the voice of ASTRON to the outside world. The bridge between researchers studying pulsars and people who have never heard of them. You work closely with scientists, understand what they have discovered, and translate that into stories that stick — a compelling press release, a clear news article, a social media post that resonates.

Proactively, you put ASTRON on the map, both nationally and internationally. You maintain relationships with science journalists, respond quickly to press inquiries, and know exactly when there is an opportunity to give a story extra visibility. In addition, you pay attention to technology, which is at least as important for scientists’ discoveries and deserves greater recognition.

Alongside the daily flow of communications, you help coordinate and organise scientific events: public lectures, symposia, conferences.

Your key responsibilities

• Translate scientific discoveries into press releases, scientific- news articles, and social content — in both English and Dutch
• Maintain relationships with science journalists and respond to press inquiries
• Support researchers with media appearances and public communication
• Proactively identify opportunities to position ASTRON in the media
• Coordinate and organise scientific events: public lectures, symposia, conferences
• Showcase ASTRON’s scientific output via the website and social channels
• Collaborate with the Communications Generalist & Coordinator for a cohesive external presence
• You take a leading role in shaping ASTRON’s communication strategy

Why ASTRON?

We capture signals that have been travelling for billions of years. We discover explosions at the edge of the universe, study galaxies that existed before the Earth was formed, and build instruments that push the boundaries of what is detectable. You make sure the world knows about it.

You do this from a building in the middle of the Dwingelderveld National Park. No traffic jams, no city hustle — instead, lunchtime walks through nature and colleagues from dozens of countries working every day on something unimaginably vast. Lines of communication are short, the atmosphere is open, and there is always someone who can tell you more than you asked for.

Perhaps you are an astronomer who has always wanted to do more with communication. Or a science communicator who wants to dive deep enough into the subject matter to truly make a difference.

What we offer

• A key role at one of the most remarkable scientific institutes
• A warm, international team where you’ll feel at home right away
• Room to grow — in science communication and as a professional
• Flexible working conditions: working from home, part-time, parental leave — we’re happy to think along with you
• A temporary contract of two years (NWO-I), with the possibility of extension
• Salary in accordance with NWO-I scale 11 based on experience, plus 8% holiday allowance and 8.33% year-end bonus
• 42 days of annual leave (full-time)
• You can work either full-time or part-time. So even if you’re only available to work part-time, we’d like to invite you to apply.

Who we are looking for

Someone who sees making science accessible not as a compromise, but as a craft in itself. You recognise a good story before a journalist asks for it. You switch effortlessly between the world of the researcher and that of the journalist, the teacher, or the curious neighbour. You write quickly, you write well — and you see it through to the end.

What you bring:

• A background in astronomy, astrophysics, or a comparable field — or demonstrably the level to engage substantively with our scientists
• Strong writing skills in both English and Dutch for a broad audience: clear, compelling, jargon-free
• Affinity with or experience in science journalism, science communication, or public engagement
• Ability to work independently and maintain relationships with multiple researchers simultaneously
• Comfortable in an environment where scientific precision and public visibility go hand in hand

Nice to have:

• Experience as a researcher (PhD or postdoc) with a publication track record
• An existing network in the astronomy or science communication community
• Experience with media relations or press work
• Experience with scientific events or conference organisation

Don’t tick every box? Apply anyway. We are looking for the right person, not the perfect CV.

We look foward to receiving your application

Are you interested in this role? We’d love to receive your application! Visit our website www.jobsatastron.nl to apply with your cover letter and CV. The vacancy will remain open until we have found a suitable candidate. For more information about the position, please contact Marte Neuteboom, Head of Communications and HR, at neuteboom@astron.nl.

Applications

You can apply by sending your letter and CV to ASTRON via www.jobsatastron.nl. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

We are looking for applications from individual candidates, not from recruitment agencies.