New types of organization are needed to accelerate scientific progress.

Academic research groups and startup companies are essential to science and technology development. But there are some projects they just aren’t suited for. A university astronomy lab couldn’t have launched the Hubble Space Telescope on its own, nor would a venture-backed startup have built the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.

Hubble and CERN illustrate a common pattern in science: a need for projects that are bigger than an academic lab can undertake, more coordinated than a loose consortium or themed department, and not directly profitable enough to be a venture-backed startup or industrial R&D project.

Focused Research Organizations (FROs) are a new type of scientific institution designed to fill this gap.

Convergent Research

A mission control for frontier technology. 

To learn more about FROs, visit our website. 

Dragonfly is a Convergent Research Focused Research Organization (FRO). Our mission is to capture the faint cosmic web of gas that connects galaxies across the universe, using a groundbreaking distributed-aperture telescope with over 1000 high-end telephoto lenses.

To learn more about the project, visit www.mothratelescope.org .

We are looking for a talented Communications & Outreach Specialist to help share the progress and excitement of MOTHRA with public audiences. In this role, you will communicate project developments across our website and social media channels, highlighting construction, scientific publications, and the team and technology behind the project.

Reporting to the Dragonfly project leadership, you will collaborate closely with members of the scientific and project team to develop accurate, engaging, and visually compelling content. This is a part-time position for an initial one-year term, with the possibility of extension.

This position is remote, and the candidate can be based out of Canada or the United States.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, until September 18, 2026 at 6 pm EST.

Responsibilities

 Plan and publish regular content for MOTHRA’s Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube Shorts accounts.  Develop accessible and engaging updates about construction, scientific publications, and other project milestones  Write and publish concise, image-rich news and blog posts for the MOTHRA website.  Use social media content to direct audiences to longer-form content on the website.  Source, organize, and prepare photographs, short videos, astronomical images, and other visual content provided by the team.  Develop occasional newsletter content, including email distribution if a subscriber list is established.  Support the preparation, organization, and distribution of press releases in coordination with the team and relevant partner organizations.  Develop a monthly communications plan based on upcoming project activities and priorities.  Maintain lightweight tracking of published content, media coverage, engagement, and audience growth.  Consult with team members to ensure technical content is accurate and sensitive information is handled appropriately. 

As time and project priorities permit, the role may also include:

 Producing occasional longer-form YouTube videos, approximately 8-10 minutes in length.  Supporting collaborations with established science, astronomy, astrophotography, or filmmaking content creators.  Coordinating podcast, interview, and other media opportunities.  Preparing background information, summaries, quotes, and image packages for journalists and partner press offices. 

Qualifications & Assets

 Qualifications: 

 Demonstrated experience creating science, nature, or technology content for public audiences through social media, web, video, broadcast, education, or similar channels.  Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate technical material into clear, accurate, and engaging content.  Practical experience sourcing or creating visual content, completing basic video editing, and publishing content across web and social media platforms.  Excellent communication, time management, and organizational skills.  Ability to plan and manage a regular content schedule independently.  Sound judgment about when to work independently and when to consult the project team regarding technical or sensitive material.  Enthusiasm for astronomy, science communication, and the night sky.  Education or professional experience in science communication, communications, journalism, education, content creation, or a related field. 

Assets

 Familiarity with astrophotography and the astrophotography community.  Experience communicating astronomy or other areas of scientific research.  Experience working with journalists, press offices, press releases, or media embargoes.  An established network or presence in astronomy-focused media or content creation.  Involvement in astronomy clubs, public outreach, or education.  Experience working in a start-up or start-up-like environment. 

What We Offer

 Flexible working hours and location. The FRO is goal-oriented and most of the team works remotely, with occasional in-person team meetings.  A baseline commitment of approximately 16 hours per week, with the possibility of additional hours around major milestones, planned in advance.  Competitive compensation of USD $40 to 50 per hour, adjusted based on experience and location. 

How To Apply

Please apply through our online application portal with:

 A short cover letter  Your resume or CV 

$40 - $50 an hour

Salary currency will be adjust to employee's location if hired in Canada.

Convergent Research and Dragonfly aims to help fill a structural gap in today's R&D system. We enable fundamental research that requires unusual levels of scale and coordination yet is not rapidly monetizable by industry. We’re bringing together top talent from academia, industry, and startups to build a new model for innovative R&D.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We believe in hiring individuals based on their unique talents—not on race, color, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law or our company policies. We are more than a proud Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Our goal is to foster a healthy, safe, and respectful environment where all employees are valued and treated with dignity. Harassment of any kind is not tolerated here.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Media and Outreach Specialist

What the job involves