Senior Science Writer at Thorlabs

The Senior Science Writer role is responsible for strengthening Thorlabs’ position as a leading manufacturer of Photonics products through the creation of effective technical content that informs and educates the photonics community about Thorlabs’ products and their applications. This role is responsible for using photonics knowledge gained through significant hands-on laboratory experience to help define and drive the forward movement of the organization’s marketing efforts, with a focus on enhancing the buying experience for customers. This may involve critiquing, commenting on, and ultimately approving content for publication to our website or other digital channels, as well as marketing collateral for tradeshows. This role works closely with graphic artists to create presentations. Original content is based on basic information provided by Thorlabs’ engineers, as well as prior knowledge gained from using similar products in the field.

Although the position is based out of Newton, NJ; Lafayette, Colorado; or Rochester, New York, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations or attend tradeshows.

Essential Job Functions include the following, but are not limited to:

• Plan, develop, and manage the successful delivery of high-quality technical presentations, which includes website content, tradeshow material, and other marketing collateral, utilizing technical expertise combined with information gained from conversations with key stakeholders.

• Ensure customers can make informed and efficient decisions on which product(s) best serve their needs and that all documentation meets organizational standards.

• Develop and implement proposals for website organization, ensuring customers with varying backgrounds and expertise can find what they are looking for amidst a portfolio of 20,000+ products.

• Able to review and approve updates to presentations created by other technical marketers to support product revisions, product feedback, and general website improvements, ensuring they follow Thorlabs’ standards and are technically sound.

• Meet deadlines consistently while producing technically accurate content that meets company standards while handling multiple projects and releases at different stages of production and at all levels of difficulty.

• Ensure strong cross linkage for products across the website.

• Participate in defining new products and/or product enhancement.

• Utilize gained knowledge of the organizational ERP platform (D365), content editing tools, and Thorlabs’ processes and standards to ensure comprehensive updates requiring minimal feedback when it comes to technical accuracy, completeness, and adherence to Thorlabs standards for layout.

• Oversee supersessions/obsolescence of products.

• Build or guide others in the construction of application examples that help customers understand how products are utilized within a lab environment.

• Guide graphics and digital marketing staff by clearly and effectively communicating desired outcomes to obtain the necessary images, videos, and animations for an effective presentation.

• Ensures all documentation meets organizational standards (i.e., support documents are uploaded to the correct location, drawings adhere to internal guidelines, etc.).

• Structure and organize the job in close cooperation with business units in the United States and globally.

• Collaborate with the Web Team as necessary to develop tools (e.g., configurators) that are necessary for an improved customer buying experience.

• Learn and implement best practices for building website content, incorporating search engine optimization tactics as appropriate.

• Assist other marketing teams as required to meet business needs.

In addition to the essential functions and duties listed above, all positions are also responsible for:

• Meeting company standards pertaining to quantity and quality of work performed on an ongoing basis, performing all work-related tasks in a manner that is in compliance with all Company policies and procedures.

• Adhering to Company policies, procedures, and directives regarding standards of workplace behavior in completing job duties and assignments.

The Company retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Physical Activities: This is largely a sedentary role; however, some lifting may be required. This would require the ability to lift, bend or stand as necessary. The employee may occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds.

Qualifications

Experience:

·       5 years of significant hands-on laboratory experience

Education:

·       Advanced degree in Physics, Optics, Lasers, or a closely related field or a bachelor’s degree plus 10 years of equivalent work experience

Specialized

Knowledge and Skills:

·       Extensive 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, to 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 be proactive in times of ambiguity.

·       Excellent writing and presentation skills in English.

·       Ability to Multitask, Be Detail Oriented, and to Solve Problems, All While Under Tight Time Constraints

Thorlabs values its diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts.  The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.