Science Writer Job Description
Science writer
provides copy edit support to assure the quality of all documents based on writing standards such as GPO Style Manual and Associated Press (AP) style, punctuation and grammar standards.
Science Writer Duties & Responsibilities
To write an effective science writer job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included science writer job description templates that you can modify and use.
Sample responsibilities for this position include:
Develop, write and edit content related to cystic fibrosis research and drug development for the Foundation's digital channels, including cff.org and social media
Contribute to and help expand print and web coverage of the North American CF Conference and other important medical/science meetings and events
Serve as a liaison between the Medical Communications Team and the Foundation's Medical Department, external experts, to closely track developments in CF research and medical news and effectively communicate the Foundation's research initiatives and priorities to the CF community and the general public
Provide content for Institute Web site
Author and/or review course content for Science (all areas including Health), including core course instruction, labs, assessments, multimedia, and/or practice games
Use K12 authoring tools and processes following the instructional design guidelines set forth by the Customization team
Accept and incorporate feedback to produce the strongest end product
Provide accurate updates to project management regarding project status
Communicate availability and strive to maintain a consistent time commitment
Confer with Sponsor representatives, DCRI Faculty/Coordinating Investigators, and Project Leaders to plan document content, timelines, and communication lines for the review/revision process
Science Writer Qualifications
Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.
Licensing or Certifications for Science Writer
List any licenses or certifications required by the position: MWC, BELS
Education for Science Writer
Typically a job would require a certain level of education.
Employers hiring for the science writer job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Journalism, Writing, Science, Communications, English, Education, Technical, Health, Editing, Engineering
Skills for Science Writer
Desired skills for science writer include:
Experience using style conventions
Professional principles
Technical communication practices and standards
Grammar
Punctuation
Style conventions
Syntax
Technical language
Fundamentals of writing
Scientific research design and methods
Desired experience for science writer includes:
Available a minimum of 25 hours a week
Writing sample will be requested
Coordinate and facilitate internal (DCRI) and external (Sponsor) review of assigned documents, and consolidate reviewer comments to create appropriate revisions
Summarize relevant clinical and scientific literature for projects and be prepared to furnish the project team/Sponsor with cited materials
Serve as an expert resource on the content and format of various submission documents
Assist with writing budgets and resource planning, and with assessment and design of work processes including document standards for electronic Common Technical Document (eCTD)submissions, document management, and version control
Science Writer Examples
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Science Writer Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of science writer. Thank you in advance for taking a look at the list of responsibilities and qualifications. We look forward to reviewing your resume.
Responsibilities for science writer
- Confer with members of the DCRI project team, including the Project Leader, Lead Statistician, Lead Safety Associate and Clinical Data Management Associate, to compile necessary document content and appendices
- Direct the Senior Editorial Assistant’s work to assemble the final form of documents and associated appendices and data displays, and confirm completeness and correctness of deliverables in the required electronic or paper format
- In conjunction with other writers in Regulatory Medical Writing, provide training and direction to other less senior Medical Writers, Editors, and Editorial Assistants
- Assist with design and maintenance of Word templates for regulatory documents
- Assist with writing and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions for Regulatory Medical Writing tasks and responsibilities
- Plan and write annual narrative reports that convey the impact on philanthropic support on the Hospital’s mission, and the specific initiatives funded by donors
- In coordination with Information Systems, enter all narrative report related data into the Raiser’s Edge database
- Produces high quality documents in accordance to regulatory standards, including but not limited to FDA and ICH guidelines, and GCP’s, company SOP’s and templates
- Stay up to date on innovation/changes in social media platforms to ensure continued best practices
- Skillfully conduct interviews with clinicians, investigators, and cancer care professionals to elicit new perspectives, scientific context, specific accomplishments, incremental and major results, direct quotes, ideas on how to approach the report, names and contact information of other people to interview, and more
Qualifications for science writer
- Find joy in detangling extremely dense scientific details
- Plan and write compelling long-form reports that convey the impact of philanthropic giving
- Review for scientific accuracy the work of Business Units and writers on the Development Communications team
- Contribute as a member of the writing team
- Work closely with frontline fundraisers to conduct interviews with donors, and faculty, and write short donor profile stories celebrating new major gifts for the donor newsletter, Impact
- Actively update internal tracking systems to document information pertaining to interview subjects, the status of research studies, unusual situations, helpful sources, editorial reviews, and more
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Science Writer Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of science writer. To join our growing team, please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications.
Responsibilities for science writer
- There is no supervisory responsibility for this position
- This individual will work with a variety of individuals throughout the Institute, and collaborate with the members of the Donor Relations team and other Development staff
- Apply in-depth knowledge and understanding of LBNL operations and policies to communicate complex scientific information understandably, accurately, and engagingly to fellow researchers, funding agencies, and the public
- Respond to operational information needs as requested by Division Management
- Establish and maintain a document control system
- Independently create and maintain Divisional and scientific-program websites under general supervision
- Work independently with staff and managers to identify, develop, research and produce timely and effective communications tailored for various audiences
- Serve as technical expert to communicate complex scientific information to scientists, nonscientists and the general public
- Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or Communications or equivalent experience plus 8 years of professional experience in technical or non-technical writing, editing, layout, and production
- Work closely with the Associate Director, Donor Relations and frontline fundraisers to conduct interviews with donors, and faculty, and write short donor profile stories celebrating new major gifts for the donor newsletter, Impact
Qualifications for science writer
- Three or more years of experience in science writing required
- The Science Writer must first understand the science, and then translate that knowledge accurately into a form that is both interesting and intelligible to the donor
- The Science Writer is comfortable managing multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines
- Strong customer-service orientation to understand and assist a wide range of internal stakeholders is required The Science Writer must commit to the highest standards of customer service and professionalism
- Deep background and sourcing in science-related beats is a plus, though not as essential as the ability to analyze and navigate multiple fields
- Bachelor's Degree in an area related to communications, journalism, English, business or science
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Science Writer Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is looking to fill the role of science writer. We appreciate you taking the time to review the list of qualifications and to apply for the position. If you don’t fill all of the qualifications, you may still be considered depending on your level of experience.
Responsibilities for science writer
- Serve as a project manager by defining technical communications strategies, messages, audiences, and key deliverables for a variety of projects
- Make major commitments on large, costly, and/or difficult communication products
- Lead and evaluate the progress of multiple, simultaneous projects and results achieved
- Work with authors, project groups, divisions, or departments to coordinate projects
- Develop and implement project plans and schedules for moderately complex projects
- Assisting in the production of graphics, visual aids, tables, photographs, needed to support the text material (experience with PowerPoint, Canvas, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and/or other productive graphics programming)
- Manage a portfolio consisting of a minimum of 40 faculty contacts
- May manage a portfolio of selected foundation contacts
- Work with advancement staff and faculty to draft more extensive white papers and principal or major gift proposals aligned to donor requirements
- Maintain a clear understanding of all advancement and fundraising goals, strategies, and messages
Qualifications for science writer
- Minimum of three years' experience in writing as a journalist or for a science publication, a university news department or other related job
- Ability to understand complex science and/or research news and communicate it to lay audiences
- Experience or demonstrated interest in multimedia story telling
- Experience in planning, writing and compiling in-depth documents, including proposals, annual reports, special topic reports
- Master's degree in the life sciences (a must) and at least 3 years of experience writing and/or editing for a scientific audience or a PhD in the life sciences
- Scientific knowledge -- Understands basic scientific concepts and laboratory techniques in molecular biology and biochemistry (chromatography, western blotting)
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Science Writer Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is looking to fill the role of science writer. To join our growing team, please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications.
Responsibilities for science writer
- Work daily to ensure timely, accurate completion of all materials
- Interface closely with the College of Engineering & Applied Science’s Research Office
- Serve as liaison to the Campus Advancement corporate and foundations team and collaborates in partnering with CU Boulder’s Office of Research and Innovation
- Document contacts with faculty, alumni and friends
- Attend college and department events, lectures, and seminars to build a presence with key faculty
- Represent the Office of Advancement at University events, as needed
- Expert ability to communicate verbally and to develop and maintain interpersonal relationships
- Expert and demonstrated ability to write and edit compelling, clear, and accurate content to diverse audiences, for general publication
- Expert ability to handle sensitive information discretely and maintain confidentiality
- Leading media relations strategy and execution for the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, the science departments in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of Research and Northwestern’s scientific research centers, including writing news releases and pitch letters and proactively contacting reporters -- responding to, and managing, media inquiries
Qualifications for science writer
- Scientific writing/editing -- Is familiar with the structure and style of scientific articles
- Writing Skills -- Has strong writing skills and the ability to write a variety of materials (technical/application notes, advertising copy, brochure/flier copy, customer stories and trends articles, video scripts)
- Editorial Skills -- Has strong attention to detail and is familiar with Chicago Manual of Style or AMA Manual
- Organizational Skills -- Is able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and effectively under tight deadlines
- Must be able to uphold editorial style guidelines and provide guidance on writing style and strategy in a professional manner
- Enjoys and is able to work effectively in a changing team environment
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Science Writer Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is looking to fill the role of science writer. We appreciate you taking the time to review the list of qualifications and to apply for the position. If you don’t fill all of the qualifications, you may still be considered depending on your level of experience.
Responsibilities for science writer
- Writing and pitching news about engineering, science and research for Northwestern’s website, electronic newsletter, print publications and videos
- Developing strategic concepts, synthesizing complex information, and developing mediable stories for use in marketing communications
- Coordinating with other members of the Global Marketing and Communications staff to promote the University’s engineering, science and research activities
- Identifying news opportunities by working with communications and marketing partners in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, the sciences in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and in research centers
- Identifying news opportunities by working with faculty in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, the sciences in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and in the research centers
- Growing and developing relationships with media contacts in engineering and the sciences and working with national and local media to place news stories and identify content for publication in these outlets
- Developing and repurposing content for social media working to identify and develop additional platforms for news content and stories
- Advanced degree in a life science or in science writing
- Five+ years of science writing experience
- Experience attending and writing summaries of scientific meetings
Qualifications for science writer
- Candidates will be asked to take a writing and editing test for this position
- Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U
- 2-5 years of experience working in communications departments, digital newsrooms, and/or public relations agencies
- Exceptional writer with a passion for telling compelling, accessible stories about science
- Demonstrated experience in science writing and multimedia production for traditional, online and social media
- Superb oral, interviewing, written communication and presentation skills