What is the job?

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/ to see…

• 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 Oversite: 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.

Who we are?

Thorlabs is a global, industry leading optical technologies company. We are experts in the design and manufacture or a range of innovative photonics products. We use these products in manufacturing and research, from fibre optics to piezo motors. We are the gold standard with optics laboratories worldwide. There are now 22 facilities across the world in 9 countries. Here in Ely, we are responsible for the Motion Control and Optical Tables product line.

Where you will be working?

It’s a hybrid role, working in our new purpose-built facility in Witchford, Ely as well as your home. Although the position is based out of the UK, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations or to attend tradeshows. There will be some travel involved.

Our facility is just 12 miles from Cambridge, within the beautiful mediaeval city of Ely. There are train and bus links to Ely from Kings Cross and Liverpool Street London, and our site is within distance of Ely train station and Ely Bus station.

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, 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 to 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.
• Familiarity with SEO best practices.

What will you get?

At Thorlabs there are lots of opportunities for inhouse customised training and development that accelerates your career progression. We have free onsite parking, free refreshments, as well as an entertainment area in our large canteen for your enjoyment.

And the benefits are?

Competitive Salary to attract the best, plus an excellent benefits package including pension, health care, 25 days holiday plus public holidays.

Job Reference: THOR-VC-1728

This is a rolling campaign, so we will actively interview applicants. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

We welcome applications from persons who are over 18 years old.

*This is a legal requirement, further information is here School leaving age - GOV.UK

This role does not currently meet the UK Visas and Immigration criteria for obtaining a Skilled Worker Visa we are therefore 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.

• Contributed Pension Scheme
• Group Life Cover
• Private Health Care
• Group Income Protection & more.

Please apply through the Apply for this job button or send a copy of your CV along with a covering letter and your salary expectations to: Human Resources at Thorlabs Ltd, 204 Lancaster Way Business Park, Ely, Cambs, CB6 3NX or e-mail recruitment@thorlabs.com.

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 from candidates as part of the recruitment process.