14 years
of science communication
Agent Majeur is a science communication agency founded in 2008. Since then, the research landscape has transformed. Scientists are under increasing pressure to publicise their activities, seek out funding, forge partnerships, and so forth. To navigate these tasks, they must cultivate their communication.
Alexia
Founder
Alexia is the founder and CEO of Agent Majeur. A chemical engineer by training, with research experience, 14 years ago she identified the need to create an agency specialising in science communication. Since then, Alexia and her team have been advising scientists on how best to promote their research in both French and English. Alexia is co-auther of the book “SELL Your Research” published by Springer.
Annick
Consultant
Annick, a doctor in biochemistry, first worked as a life sciences researcher at CNRS, and subsequently in the pharmaceutical industry. She has penned popular articles in magazines such as La Recherche and Biofutur. Annick is currently involved in several areas including: consulting, training in oral and written communication, technical writing, development, and presenting guided tours.
Francis
Consultant
An engineering graduate from INSA Lyon, Francis began his career in the sale of high-tech products. A firm believer in human potential and passionate about improving it, he became a Master Practitioner in neuro-linguistic programming. Trilingual in French, German and English, he also gives talks and leads training courses on science communication.
Eric
Consultant
Eric, a doctor in neuroscience, is also a science writer and publisher. He began his career at Larousse and has written and edited many popular books for the general public and young audiences. Editor-in-chief of science and lifestyle magazines, Eric is specialized in creating and maintaining blogs and websites. Eric conducts training programmes on written communication and editorial design workshops.
‘A scientific mind is vital for understanding scientists and helping them to better communicate.’
Sandrine
Consultant
Sandrine is a trained pharmacist who turned to journalism at the beginning of her carrier. She worked in the written press as well as television and radio: news articles, TV reports, interviews… Sandrine writes and leads training courses on written and oral communication: media training, public speaking and effective writing.
Heidi
Translator
Holding a Master’s degree in anthropology, Heïdi is a professional English translator and proofreader specialized in the scientific and medical fields. She also leads training courses focused on medical and scientific communication for researchers, Master and PhD students.
Julian
Graphic Designer
Graphic designer, illustrator et artistic director, Julian is a graduate of LISAA, l’Institut Supérieur des Arts Appliqués. He is involved in multiple graphic design projects. From a brief to a final design, this athlete of aesthetics designs visual identities and page layouts.
Jacques
Webdesigner
Jacques earned his degree in programming, graphic design and multimedia. For over 10 years, he has been developing websites and tailor-made applications using various computer languages from HTML to PHP. Jacques is also experienced in web referencing.
Stéphanie
Office Manager
After graduating from a prestigious French business school, Stéphanie has been offering up her know-how to entrepreneurs for nearly 20 years. In her element when working on Agent Majeur’s multidisciplinary projects, Stéphanie shares the team-wide affinity for knowledge transmission and effective communication.
Albert
Head of HR
The last member of the team, Albert successfully obtained his PhD in Physics from l’Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale in Zürich. After a very testing internship, and taking into account his scientific expertise, Albert found himself trusted with the task of recruiting consultants and trainers.
Science,
value and communication
‘Adding value to science.’ Why would a science communication agency choose such a slogan? Research and innovation bring value to institutions but also, on a grander scale, society. Yet for this, funding is often needed, as is time for the integration of the solutions they provide. By putting research and scientific breakthroughs under the spotlight, Agent Majeur helps to add even more value to projects.
Creativity
At the office or in the shower, we put our heads together and brainstorm with clients, to come up with ideas (almost) 24 hours a day.
Methodology
When faced with a problem, we ask ourselves the right questions, in the right order. Because that’s how you come up with the right answers!
Rigour
Because science certainly doesn’t work on approximations, we do background research on the subjects we work on.
Enjoyment
We consider ourselves lucky to be in a fantastic line of work, finding ideas that engage minds with lasting impact.
The history
of Agent Majeur
Our story begins with an epiphany . Alexia Youknovsky is focused on inventing her dream job, one that will allow her to merge her different skills. With a degree in chemistry, experience in research and consulting, and after working for 6 years as a comedian, this unusual career inspires her and something clicks. She elects to create a new type of company, a science communication agency.
Swaying the market
Being a pioneer is not easy, especially not at first. « Why help scientists to communicate? They do it all the time! » This question returns constantly when Alexia undertakes this entrepreneurial venture. As it turns out, Alexia’s insight was spot-on and she steadily wins over her market.
Getting a head start
But being first has its perks, including getting a head start. Agent Majeur is familiar with the research community, its actors, how they work and they communicate. Our agency has always known what works in our field, and we keep a close eye on new trends.
Making the right decisions
Nowadays, the question our team must now answer is not « Why? », but « How? ». How can we promote activities in research and innovation? Effective communication has become essential. Thanks to our expertise and our support, our clients are able to make the right choices.
Join us
We’re constantly on the lookout for new talent to further reinforce our team. Look over our job openings, and if your dream job isn’t on offer, send us a spontaneous application.
Overview
You will be required to conduct oral or written communication training sessions for a scientific audience. You work on the basis of specific projects for our customers in France or in Europe, in the industrial R&D or services sector.
Profile
You have an initial background in a scientific field (computing, biology, mathematics, chemistry, physics…) and a practical professional experience in communication. Alternatively, you are a communication professional and you specialise in science (e.g. a scientific journalist or a technical writer).
You are proficient in English and in another language – French, German or Spanish, which allows you to conduct training courses throughout Europe.
Overview
To support our projects, we are looking for experienced native-English science writers. Your job will consist of drafting (web or intranet) articles, press release kits and brochures, as well as conducting science writing training courses in English.
Profile
You have an educational background in the sciences (graduate level, engineer, or doctor) and your mother tongue is English. You draft scientific and technical documents on a professional basis. Ideal applicants have already conducted science writing training workshops.
Overview
We are looking for a communications officer for a full-time internship for a period of 4 months. The successful candidate will be involved in:
– managing our monthly newsletter
– working on the referencing of our website
– community management (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube)
– updating our communication materials
– writing articles for our blog
– organising events
Profile
You have at 2-years of university, you are currently doing an undergraduate or masters degree in communication or business. You speak English well and are able to write effectively. You are organised, dynamic, reliable and autonomous.
Overview
To support our projects, we sometimes call upon experienced scientific translators in English to translate articles (web and intranet), press release kits and brochures.
Profile
You possess an educational background in the sciences (graduate level, engineer, or doctor) and your mother tongue is English. You translate scientific and technical material on a professional basis, or you are a translation professional specialized in a scientific field.
Our news
Our latest service offers, major events and cool news items. Check out what’s happening at Agent Majeur and how our team are doing. To stay updated, sign up for our Newsletter.
19 SEPT. 2022
New missions in America
This fall, Agent Majeur looks to America. We have the great pleasure of carrying out two missions for North-American clients, in the United-States and in Canada. Our agency is used to working in English and in several European countries but we are nonetheless quite proud to expand our activities across the Atlantic.
13 SEPT. 2021
A quality certification for Agent Majeur
After two years, the same gestation period as elephants, we are very pleased to announce that we have finally obtained the QUALIOPI certification attesting to the quality of our training courses.
3 Aug. 2021
An interview in Times Higher Education
At the beginning of August, Alexia Youknovsky was interviewed by Times Higher Education on the new CV format used for funding applications by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the British funding agency for research.