Research Communications Assistant volunteer

What will I be doing? You will be supporting JDRF UK (soon to be Breakthrough T1D)’s Content Team with the creation of content about the research our charity funds. The Content Team creates website and social media content about type 1 diabetes, its management, and research to prevent, treat and cure it. While the wider team covers the information and support the charity provides about type 1 diabetes, your role will be specific to content related to science and research.

Suggested activities include:

• Drafting lay-friendly summaries of our research projects.
• Designing social media assets using a variety of tools.
• Writing social media copy for research-related social posts. Scheduling social media posts.
• Drafting blog posts about science and research relating to type 1 diabetes.
• Auditing and editing website content.
• Other support for the wider team as needed.

How will this benefit JDRF/Breakthrough T1D? Your support will help make our research accessible to a wide audience. This raises the profile of JDRF/Breakthrough T1D and our research, while giving people living with type 1 diabetes hope for an improved quality of life. Your work will help to raise vital funds to continue this research to improve the lives of people living with type 1, supporting our mission to develop better treatments, and work towards a future free from type 1 diabetes.

How will this benefit me? This role provides a unique and sought-after opportunity to work within the charity sector in research communications. It will give you the chance to:

• Develop new, or utilise existing, skills in explaining, simplifying and summarising scientific concepts for a lay audience.
• Gain valuable insight and experience in research communications in the third sector.
• Increase knowledge of research funding processes and grant proposals.
• Learn how to use social media scheduling and content creation tools.
• Improve skills in collaborating with team members.

When do you need me? Minimum 3.5 hours a week, starting as soon as possible. Hours will be discussed at interview.

Where is this role based? JDRF UK Head Office in Islington, London, with the possibility of home working.

What training will I receive? You’ll receive training on social media scheduling and content creation tools as well as our content management system (website platform). You will also have full support from the Research Communications Lead to write engaging and informative research content.

What are my goals? Keep up to date with new research funded by JDRF/Breakthrough T1D and prepare summaries of new research projects. Identify key aspects of the research projects of interest to people living with type 1 diabetes. Use these insights to create appropriate social media assets and copy to share the summaries on our social media platforms.

What skills and attributes do I need?

• A background in life sciences.
• An interest in and basic knowledge of healthcare.
• Good communication skills.
• IT skills.
• Accurate attention to detail.

What support is available to me? You will have a named staff contact based in the office who will lead your training in social media scheduling and content creation tools and provide ongoing support. You’ll have regular check-ins with them about your role, and the Volunteer Team will also be available to you for any support outside of the day-to-day activities of your role.

Sounds great! How do I get involved? If you’re interested in applying, you’ll need to send your CV and a covering letter highlighting your experience and knowledge of the specific skills required. Once we receive these, those shortlisted for the role will be invited for an informal interview, which will give us the opportunity to ask you a couple of questions and give you the opportunity to ask us questions too. We want to make sure that this is the right role for you and that you’ll be happy providing this support.