Science Writer
What this job does:
Writes accurate, audience-specific explanations of research for funders, clinicians, institutions, or the public, grounded in literature synthesis, source verification, and iterative editing.
This job is similar to these lab/research tasks:
Highlighting literature reviews and manuscript writing, teaching complex topics to diverse audiences, translating dense evidence into clear summaries with transparent limitations
Typical starting salary range
$62,500 to $104,094
Salary estimate represented as 25th to 75th percentile. Gathered from recent job postings, Glassdoor.com, and Salary.com
Daily task breakdown
- Drafting and editing science content: 40%
- Literature review and source verification: 25%
- Audience translation and storytelling: 15%
- Stakeholder and SME coordination and revisions: 10%
- Other: 10%
Skills you'll use in this job:
Scientific literacy and data interpretation; clear and compelling writing across multiple formats; editing and proofreading; literature review and synthesis; audience adaptation (lay, professional, regulatory); familiarity with style guides (AMA, APA, AP); grant writing; interviewing and source development; project management and deadline management; cross-functional collaboration; attention to detail; SEO and digital content strategy
Talk about these PhD skills in your resume and interview:
Talk about writing for multiple audiences—from highly technical committee presentations to lay summaries for grant broader-impact sections—staying current with the literature in your field, translating your research to the public at outreach events, and writing compelling introductions and significance sections in grants and papers.
Alternative job titles to search:
Scientific Writer; Medical Writer; Science Communications Specialist; Scientific Communications Writer; Scientific Content Writer; Science Editor; Research Communications Specialist; Science Journalist; Technical Writer (science/pharma); Grant Writer; Health and Science Writer; Scientific Publications Writer; Public Information Officer; Science Communication Officer
*Note:
-Job titles are inconsistent between companies. Try various keywords.
-PhDs tend to undershoot seniority level. Target higher than you think.
