Science Communicators, Edinburgh Science Festival 2026

Pay: £12.60 per hour + holiday pay
Hours: full-time / short term contracts (festival period, including weekends)
Location: National Museum of Scotland

We are looking for enthusiastic Science Communicators to join our Festival Team from 4 -23 April 2026

Apply now

About the role:

Are you outgoing, do you enjoy working with the public, especially with families and children? 

As a Science Communicator with Edinburgh Science Festival, you will form part of the team ensuring the high-quality delivery of workshops and activities that make up the Festival’s family programme at our flagship venue - the National Museum of Scotland. High-quality science communication is at the heart of what Edinburgh Science is all about and our Science Communicators are our ambassadors.

This role makes a real difference to the experience of children, families and adults at the Festival. You will facilitate visitors’ experiences, helping with the engagement and understanding of the content using high-quality communication skills.

About you:

You are a confident presenter with strong communication skills, able to engage clearly with colleagues and the public while remaining calm under pressure. You are a quick learner, comfortable with scientific information, and have experience working with children and families. Previous experience in science communication, education, or learning support is advantageous.

You enjoy working as part of a team in a fast-paced environment and ideally have some festival experience. Enthusiasm, passion, and a willingness to work hard during the Festival are essential.

You must be available for all dates listed under one of the contract options (see below). Shifts are typically 8 hours and involve extended periods on your feet, though some shorter shifts are available. A limited number of part-time positions are also available.

You will be required to attend the following mandatory training sessions:

Science communication training: Saturday 28 March 2026

Event training: 1 day, either Monday 30 March or Sunday 12 April 2026 (day tbc - workshop dependent)

 

Festival dates:

Festival live: Saturday 4 April – Sunday 19 April 2026

Schools Programme: Tuesday 21 April – Thursday 23 April 2026 (not all staff required, workshop dependent) 

There will be two contract options for the Festival, each with different date requirements:

Contract A: 28 and 30 March, and 4 -19 April

Contract B: 28 March, and 12 - 23 April


How to apply:

To view the full job description visit: Job Description

 

Click the link below to visit our dedicated careers portal. Please note that only applications submitted via our careers portal will be considered.

The closing date for applications is: Sunday 1 February, 11:59PM

Interview period from: Monday 9 Feb – Wednesday 18 Feb 2026

 

Please note:  By the start of any employment with Edinburgh Science, you must have the right to work in the UK and documentary evidence to support this.

At Edinburgh Science we welcome applications from all backgrounds because we believe that bringing together people with different perspectives, ideas and experiences always leads to better discussions, decisions and results.

Apply now

Opportunities

  • Team Leader, Edinburgh Science Festival 2026
    Apply before 11:59pm on Sunday, 1st February 2026

    Pay: £13.65 per hour + holiday pay
    Hours: Full-time/ Short-term contracts (festival period)
    Location: National Museum of Scotland

    We are looking Team Leaders to join our Festival Team from 12 – 23 April 2026!

    Find out more

  • Event crew and Technicians - Edinburgh Science Festival 2026

    Pay: Industry competitive salary
    Hours: Part Time
    Duration: Temporary, fixed-term contracts, 1 February - 5 June 2026
    Start: 1 February 2026 onwards
    Work Location: Edinburgh Science offices, warehouses, venues across Edinburgh

    We are seeking interest and CVs from crew, technicians, and production staff with experience in preparation, installation, de-rig, and live operations within a festival and live event setting. As part of our network of contractors, you will support Edinburgh Science as we deliver our multi-disciplinary programme, including our flagship festival in April 2026 and our Generation Science schools touring program. Additional work is also available supporting the general operations of the organisation.

    Find out more

Edinburgh Science

Edinburgh Science Foundation is an educational charity that inspires people of all ages and backgrounds around the world to experience the wonder of science and technology. Best known for Edinburgh’s annual Science Festival – the world’s first science festival and still one of the world’s largest – and for our Learning programmes that sees Generation Science tour Scotland and bring science to life in classrooms throughout the year and promotes STEM careers to teens through initiatives such as Careers Hive. An increasing worldwide element shares our content, passion and expertise more widely through an extensive portfolio of international projects.

Our mission is to inspire, encourage and challenge people of all ages and backgrounds to explore, understand and engage with the world around them and to communicate the educational, social and economic benefits of science and technology.

 

Our language is that of live experiences that amaze, inform and entertain in equal measure. We put the customer first whether they are the public, school teacher or pupil. We want to be the best before we are the largest. We thrive on creativity, rely upon professionalism and insist on accuracy. We believe in testing what we do assuming that rarely can an event not be improved. We respect and nurture the partnerships on which we depend for support, people and ideas. We know we are only as good as the people we work with and so value them all, here and abroad.