Freelance Student Writing Jobs in Decatur, AL (NOW HIRING)

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is a nonprofit advancing discoveries in genomics and biotechnology to improve human health, strengthen the innovation economy, and inspire learners of all ages. Based in Huntsville, Alabama, HudsonAlpha is part of a vibrant science and technology community and is home to research labs, education programs, and an innovation ecosystem.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Communications Department advances HudsonAlpha's mission through strategic storytelling that connects people to science. Through thoughtful, data-driven messaging and creative content, the team builds understanding and enthusiasm for the Institute's research, education, and economic development efforts. By highlighting the real-world impact of our work, the Department builds awareness, trust, and engagement among key audiences, from local community members to global partners. Our goal is to elevate HudsonAlpha's visibility and reputation while cultivating meaningful engagement that advances the Institute's long-term success.

POSITION OVERVIEW

HudsonAlpha is seeking a Science Communications Specialist who can translate complex research, education initiatives, and biotech innovation into high-impact storytelling for donors, educators, partners, policymakers, and the public-across web, email, print, social, and multimedia projects.

This is an ideal role for a strong writer who loves interviewing subject-matter experts, can quickly develop scientific fluency, and enjoys collaborating with creatives (video, design, freelancers) to bring stories to life. Reporting to the Director of Communications, this role serves as an editorial partner to execute the Institute's storytelling strategy and drive cross-departmental impact.

Core Storytelling Areas

As our primary staff storyteller, your coverage portfolio will span the full breadth of HudsonAlpha's mission:

• Human Health & Medical Genomics: Discoveries in rare genetic diseases, pediatric genomics, oncology, and neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's, ALS, Parkinson's).
• Sustainable Agriculture & Plant Genomics: Breakthroughs in crop breeding, climate-resilient plants, and agricultural biotech research.
• Educational Impact & Human-Interest Profiles: Inspiring stories of students, educators, research participants, patients, and community members touched by HudsonAlpha's programs.
• Economic Development & Campus Innovation: Highlights from our vibrant biotech campus, including startup growth, commercialization, and regional economic impact.

Key Responsibilities

Scientific & Impact Storytelling

• Identify & Develop Stories: Identify story angles in collaboration with researchers, educators, and Institute leadership; conduct background research and empathetic interviews with subject-matter experts, program participants, and donors to capture authentic human-interest narratives.
• Versatile Content Creation: Write and edit clear, engaging content across multiple formats, including feature stories, research explainers, donor impact stories, case-for-support materials, participant profiles, executive speeches/talking points, and digital newsletters.
• Cross-Departmental Relationships: Build strong working relationships with faculty members to stay abreast of ongoing research and newsworthy publications. Partner closely with the Advancement/Development team to support fundraising campaigns and donor stewardship through impactful storytelling.
• Executive Collaboration: Collaborate with the Director on high-level institutional features and major research announcements.

Editorial planning & distribution

• Editorial Calendar Management: Maintain and drive an editorial calendar aligned to Institute priorities and key moments (publications, events, campaigns, program milestones).
• Multi-Channel Adaptation: Adapt core narratives for diverse distribution channels (web, email, social media, print) while preserving scientific accuracy, audience relevance, and brand voice.

Multimedia & Social Media Collaboration

• Social Content Ideation: Brainstorm and pitch compelling social media angles for institutional news, research discoveries, and impact stories; partner with the social media specialist/freelancer to translate written features into channel-ready concepts.
• Freelancer & Partner Collaboration: Serve as an editorial resource for external creative partners (social media contractors, videographers, graphic designers)-providing clear creative briefs, scientifically accurate copy, and narrative direction to ensure visual assets are on-brand.
• Multimedia Concepting & Scripting: Conceptualize and script short-form video or audio content (e.g., video clips, podcast segments, digital explainers), providing the scientific hooks and story arcs that bring multimedia projects to life.

Measurement & improvement

• Analytics & Optimization: Track performance metrics (engagement, click-through, time on page, conversions where applicable) across content touchpoints and recommend data-informed adjustments to refine overall strategy.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Education and Experience

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in a biological/life science field (Biology, Genetics, Biotechnology, etc.) OR in Journalism, Communications, or English with a proven portfolio of writing about complex scientific or technical topics.
• Experience: 3+ years of experience in science communication, science writing, public relations, or technical writing, ideally within an academic research institute, non-profit, or healthcare/biotech environment.

Core Competencies & Capabilities

• Scientific Fluency: Ability to rapidly grasp complex biological, genomic, and agricultural/biotech concepts and translate them for non-expert stakeholders without sacrificing accuracy.
• Versatile Writing: Proven excellence across multiple storytelling formats-from
• long-form human-interest features to tight social media copy, donor pieces, and conversational video/podcast scripts.
• Editorial Judgment: Strong copy-editing skills and a meticulous eye for detail, tone, and brand consistency.
• Interpersonal Intelligence: Highly diplomatic and empathetic interviewer, comfortable building trust with faculty scientists, executive leadership, research participants, and community stakeholders.
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multi-step editorial workflows, balance competing deadlines, and coordinate deliverables across internal and external teams.
• Professional Discretion: Poise, maturity, and tact in handling sensitive, confidential, or proprietary information.
• Technical Proficiency: Fluent with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, web content management systems (e.g., WordPress), and web/media analytics platforms (e.g., GA4, Muck Rack). Familiarity with basic digital accessibility and SEO best practices is a plus.

For full consideration, you will be asked to provide:

1. Writing Portfolio: 3–5 representative writing samples (links or PDFs). Samples may include feature articles, scientific explainers, donor/impact profiles, newsletters, scripts, or multimedia story packages.
2. Brief Reflection Prompt: A short paragraph describing one science story or communication project you led that you are especially proud of, detailing why it succeeded and the impact it achieved.