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Education and Outreach Role in Microbiology

The Society of General Microbiology (SGM) seeks an Education and Outreach Administrator to expand their education and outreach activities throughout the UK. Key responsibilities include assisting in developing educational resources, organizing workshops for teachers and students, contributing to websites, and running public outreach events. The ideal candidate has a science degree and laboratory experience, as well as strong communication and organizational skills.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
15 views3 pages

Education and Outreach Role in Microbiology

The Society of General Microbiology (SGM) seeks an Education and Outreach Administrator to expand their education and outreach activities throughout the UK. Key responsibilities include assisting in developing educational resources, organizing workshops for teachers and students, contributing to websites, and running public outreach events. The ideal candidate has a science degree and laboratory experience, as well as strong communication and organizational skills.

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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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[Link].

uk

Education and Outreach Administrator


SGM plays a dynamic role in increasing public engagement with microbiology
to a wide range of audiences, both directly and by supporting the activities of
its members who are professional microbiologists. The Society uses a variety of
media to promote microbiology education at all levels from schools through to
universities and colleges. We also run an outreach programme to take
microbiology to the general public. An exciting opportunity has arisen for an
enthusiastic, flexible and self-motivated life sciences graduate to take a lead in
expanding our outreach and education activities throughout the UK.
Key attributes are:
• A sound knowledge of microbiology or molecular biology (degree level)
• Practical laboratory experience
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Initiative and accuracy
• Familiarity with IT packages such as Microsoft Office, Powerpoint & Adobe Creative
Suite; experience with design and layout would be an advantage
• The ability to juggle tasks and work under pressure
A qualification or other experience in science communication is essential and
experience of running hands-on activities is desirable. Knowledge of the UK
science curricula would be useful.
Applicants should be willing to work in the evenings and at weekends when
necessary and to travel throughout the UK.
Job Description

Education
• Assist in researching and producing educational resources, in both
printed and electronic format
• Organise and carry out practical workshops in microbiology for primary
and secondary school teachers and pupils nationwide
• Contribute to and update the Microbiologyonline website
• Organise and attend SGM stands at education events such as ASE Annual
Meeting, the Education Show
Outreach
• Participate in expanding SGM’s outreach programme to take
microbiology activities to more diverse audiences, including devising new
activities
• Organise and participate events at the Cheltenham and other science
festivals, Big Bang etc.
• Run fun, drop-in sessions at supermarkets and shopping malls
Member support
• Put together packs of microbiology activities and resources for SGM
members carrying out workshops in schools and for the public
• Manage the supply and distribution of the packs
• Give advice and suggestions in response to enquiries from members
General
• Make regular contributions to Microbiology Today
• Contribute to the SGM website as required
• Collaborate with colleagues to raise the profile of microbiology through
new media
• Respond to enquiries about microbiology and related issues from the
public, schools and members, in conjunction with other External
Relations staff
• Attend Society scientific conferences
• Assist with other external relations activities as appropriate and provide
cover for other staff on leave etc.
The post is permanent and the successful applicant should be able to start as
soon as possible.
Starting salary
Commensurate with qualifications and experience in the range: £22,753 –
27,930.
Working for the SGM
The Society offices are located in a pleasant commuter village just south of
Reading. The conditions of employment are excellent, and include group life
assurance, permanent health insurance and an employer pension contribution.
Applications
Email your CV, the names, addresses, telephone numbers and (where possible)
email addresses of two referees and a letter setting out why you are ideal for
the job to:
Mrs Dariel Burdass, SGM, Marlborough House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers
Wood, Reading RG7 1AG. (Tel. 0118 988 1802; Fax: 0118 988 5656; email:
[Link]@[Link])
Closing date: 3 May 2010. Interviews will be held on 11 May.

Common questions

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An Education and Outreach Administrator at SGM might face challenges such as needing to manage multiple tasks under pressure, coordinating nationwide workshops, and engaging diverse audiences with varying levels of science understanding. To overcome these challenges, they could leverage strong organizational and communication skills, utilize technology for efficient scheduling and resource management, and tailor educational materials to suit different audience needs, ensuring effective and inclusive outreach .

SGM’s outreach program contributes to raising the profile of microbiology by actively engaging with the public and educators, thus enhancing the visibility and appreciation of the field. By participating in events like science festivals and holding interactive sessions, SGM showcases the importance and applications of microbiology, promoting a broader understanding which can inspire educational pursuits and support for microbial research .

The requirement for a science communication qualification is important for the Education and Outreach Administrator position at SGM as it ensures the individual can effectively convey complex microbiological concepts to a variety of audiences. This skill is crucial for developing accessible educational and outreach materials, facilitating engaging events, and fostering public understanding and interest in microbiology .

SGM members benefit from the packs of microbiology activities and resources by gaining ready-to-use materials that assist them in conducting workshops and engaging the public in microbiology education. This support enables members to effectively extend the reach of SGM’s educational objectives by providing consistent and quality content for diverse learning environments, which elevates the overall impact of their outreach initiatives .

The Microbiologyonline website plays a pivotal role in SGM’s educational and outreach efforts by serving as a platform for disseminating educational resources and updates on microbiology to a wide audience. It supports the Society's mission by facilitating easy access to microbiological information, thus enhancing public engagement and learning opportunities across different demographics .

Conducting off-location activities such as sessions in supermarkets and malls contributes significantly to SGM’s outreach program by reaching non-traditional audiences who might not actively seek out science engagement opportunities. These activities can demystify microbiology, showing its relevance to everyday life, and potentially spark curiosity among individuals who might otherwise remain uninvolved. By meeting people in familiar settings, SGM can enhance access to science education, thus broadening its impact .

Possessing skills in IT packages like Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and Adobe Creative Suite is crucial for the SGM role as these are essential for creating educational resources, presentations, and engaging online content. Proficiency in these tools supports efficient organization and communication efforts, allowing for professional and impactful representation of microbiology topics to varied audiences. Design skills may also enhance the visual appeal and accessibility of educational materials, making them more effective for diverse learners .

SGM facilitates public engagement in microbiology by using various media to promote microbiology education across all learning levels, running outreach programs, and directly engaging diverse audiences. Their outreach activities include organizing microbiology workshops for teachers and pupils, hosting events at science festivals like Cheltenham and Big Bang, and conducting drop-in sessions at supermarkets and shopping malls .

The key qualifications and skills necessary for the Education and Outreach Administrator role at SGM include a sound knowledge of microbiology or molecular biology at degree level, practical laboratory experience, and strong oral and written communication skills. Additionally, applicants should possess excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, initiative, accuracy, and familiarity with IT packages like Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and Adobe Creative Suite. Experience in science communication and running hands-on activities, as well as knowledge of the UK science curricula, is beneficial .

Organizing microbiology workshops for primary and secondary school teachers and pupils is significant in SGM's education strategy because it directly supports hands-on learning experiences, fostering interest and understanding of microbiology at an early age. These workshops help educators integrate microbiology into their curricula, thus extending the reach and impact of microbiology education. By engaging both teachers and students, SGM builds a foundation for sustained interest and participation in the sciences .

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