Scientific and Research Technical Writer

Scientific & Research Technical Writer

Writing for lay audiences
Writes translation products (easy-to-read summaries and tools) for use by patients/healthcare consumers, clinicians, and policymakers.
Translates research findings and technical reports into plain language.
Creates a variety of products for the public, ranging from research summaries to decision aids and other materials.

Writing for technical audiences
Writes and edits scientific research proposals, grants, manuscripts, protocols, posters, abstracts and reports at the direction of the research team. Gathers information from subject matter experts to assist in writing content. Maximizes the scientific impact of written work.
Revises scientific and technical writing for usage and clarity.
Organizes, interprets, and presents scientific information in a clear and concise manner.

Manuscript/grant preparation
Researches submission guidelines from journals and funding organizations.
Formats text and graphics to comply with organization guidelines.
Prepares supplemental documents as needed (letters of support, public abstracts, etc.).
Coordinates submissions to journals (gathers author disclosures, follows up on acceptances/revisions, ensures posting on PubMed Central as needed).
Proofreads galley proofs of manuscripts nearing publication.

Data abstraction and reporting
Abstracts medical and scientific information and provide lay language versions when required.
Reviews medical records to extract data points.
Compiles, writes, and submits project results to principal investigator and research team.
Compiles information and drafts presentations to provide the most effective arrangement of data (financial, scientific, medical, business, and academic).
Education Required: Bachelor's degree in English or related field.

Education Preferred: PhD in Biological Sciences

Preferred Certification: Editor in the Life Sciences (ELS), Certification or Advanced Certification through the American Medical Write's Association (AMWA)

Experience Required: Two years experience as a writer/editor. May substitute required education degree with additional years of equivalent experience on a one to one basis.

Experience Preferred: Four years experience in communications, writing and editing technical/scientific material in a medical, academic or research setting. With preferred degree, two years of required experience.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html