At a Glance
- Tasks: Create engaging technical content and presentations to educate the photonics community.
- Company: Join Thorlabs, a leader in photonics innovation with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health care, 25 days holiday, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with hybrid options and opportunities for travel.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the photonics field while enhancing your skills and knowledge.
- Qualifications: Advanced degree in Physics or related field, plus hands-on lab experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
As a Senior Science Writer, you will be responsible for strengthening Thorlabs’ position as a leading manufacturer of Photonics products through the creation of effective technical presentations, application images, videos, and other marketing collateral that inform and educate the photonics community about Thorlabs’ products/capabilities and their applications. You will be required to use photonics knowledge gained through extensive hands‑on laboratory experience combined with knowledge through discussion with engineers. This role will define and drive the forward movement of the organization’s customer‑centric marketing efforts. This role is based in the UK but you may need to attend tradeshows and activities at other Thorlabs locations; travel will be involved.
Working Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00 am – 5.30 pm to support the US team (Hybrid working available 3:2)
Department: Sales / Marketing
What we would like you to do:
- Project Management: Plans, develops, and executes the successful and timely delivery of high‑quality technical content in support of New Product Introduction (NPI), website updates, product discontinuation/supersession, acquisitions, tradeshows, social media posts, video/animation projects, or other marketing collateral.
- Project Oversight: Leads projects or ad hoc teams as needed to meet business needs.
- Content Strategy: Ensures customers can make informed and efficient decisions on which product(s) best serve their needs amidst a portfolio of 20,000+ items, developing/implementing proposals for website (re)organization as needed.
- Timely Updates: Consistently meets deadlines, producing technically accurate content that meets company standards all while handling multiple projects at different stages of production and at all levels of technical difficulty.
- Communication: Guides graphics and digital marketing staff by clearly and effectively communicating desired outcomes to obtain the necessary images, videos, and animations for a successful presentation.
- Coaching/Mentorship: Able to coach junior team members and assist Editorial Content Strategists by reviewing updates to presentations created by other Science Writers to support NPI, product revisions, product feedback, and general website improvements, ensuring they follow Thorlabs’ standards and are technically sound.
- Website Enhancements: Collaborates with the eCommerce Project Manager and marketing management to develop, test and implement tools (e.g., configurators) that are necessary for new product introduction or an improved customer buying experience.
- Product Road Mapping: Provides feedback to aid in defining new products and/or product enhancements through participation in the internal product development forum.
What is essential to us:
- Advanced degree in Physics, Optics, Lasers, or a closely related field or a bachelor’s degree plus 10 years of equivalent work experience.
- 5+ years of significant hands‑on laboratory experience and familiarity with photonics equipment.
- Expertise in writing brand‑consistent content that meets project goals and addresses user needs.
- Strong organizational and planning skills.
- Great presentation and communication skills with the ability to understand the audience, structure effective presentations, and distill key messages to effectively inform and persuade.
- Ability to flourish with minimal guidance, in a dynamic, fast‑changing environment, and to be proactive in times of ambiguity.
- Excellent writing and presentation skills in English.
- Ability to multitask, be detail‑oriented, and solve problems, all while under tight time constraints.
- Familiarity with SEO best practices.
What will you get:
- Opportunities for on‑site customised training and development that accelerates your career progression.
- Free onsite parking, free refreshments, and an entertainment area in our large canteen for your enjoyment.
- Competitive salary to attract the best.
- Pension scheme.
- Health care.
- 25 days holiday plus public holidays.
- Contributed Pension Scheme.
- Group life cover.
- Private health care.
- Group income protection & more.
We welcome applications from persons who are over 18 years old. This is a legal requirement. This role does not currently meet the UK Visas and Immigration criteria for obtaining a Skilled Worker Visa; therefore, we are unable to accept applications that require employer sponsorship in order to obtain a Skilled Worker Visa. All offers of employment are subject to eligibility to work in the UK. We would encourage all internal applicants to inform their line managers of their interest in this position. We are Disability Confident Committed. In line with the requirements of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, all applicants must have a valid permission to enter or remain in the UK with no condition that prevents them from working in the UK. Documented evidence of such permission will be required as part of the recruitment process.
Senior Science Writer & Photonics Content Strategist employer: Vytran LLC
Thorlabs is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, offering customised on-site training to accelerate your career progression. With a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation, employees enjoy competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits including healthcare and a pension scheme, and a vibrant workplace environment complete with free refreshments and an entertainment area. Located in the UK, this role provides the unique opportunity to engage with the global photonics community while contributing to impactful marketing efforts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Science Writer & Photonics Content Strategist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the photonics field on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best writing and technical presentations. This is your chance to demonstrate how you can make complex topics accessible and engaging.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your photonics knowledge and understanding Thorlabs’ products. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs and how you can contribute to their marketing efforts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Thorlabs team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Science Writer & Photonics Content Strategist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Science Skills:Make sure to highlight your advanced degree and hands-on lab experience in your application. We want to see how your background in Physics or Optics can contribute to our photonics content strategy!
Tailor Your Writing Samples:Include writing samples that showcase your ability to create brand-consistent, technically accurate content. We love seeing how you can distill complex information into engaging presentations that resonate with the audience.
Project Management is Key:Demonstrate your organisational skills by detailing your experience in managing multiple projects. We’re looking for someone who can juggle deadlines and deliver high-quality content without breaking a sweat!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vytran LLC
✨Know Your Photonics Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your photonics knowledge before the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific equipment and applications you've worked with, as well as how they relate to Thorlabs' products. This will show that you not only understand the technical side but can also communicate it effectively.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Since this role involves managing multiple projects, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully planned and executed similar tasks in the past. Highlight your organisational skills and how you handle tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality content.
✨Prepare for Communication Scenarios
Think about how you would guide a team or communicate complex ideas to different audiences. You might be asked to explain a technical concept simply or describe how you would collaborate with graphics and digital marketing staff. Practise these scenarios to demonstrate your communication prowess.
✨Demonstrate Your Coaching Ability
As a Senior Science Writer, you'll likely mentor junior team members. Be prepared to discuss your experience in coaching others, providing constructive feedback, and ensuring that content meets company standards. Share specific examples where your guidance made a difference.
