Publications Lead

R Dpartners; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

R&D Partners in the UK is seeking a Publications Lead (Contractor) to support delivery of scientific publications across therapeutic areas during a high-priority period. You will embed quickly within the team, manage key deliverables, and flex across priorities to ensure timely, high-quality communication.

Responsibilities span publication leadership, end-to-end execution of manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and presentations, with cross-functional collaboration and vendor oversight.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in life sciences.
• 5-7+ years of medical publications experience.
• Strong knowledge of publication guidelines (ICMJE, GPP).

Responsibilities

• Lead publication plans and support delivery across priority programs.
• Step in to lead specific publications, workstreams, or assets as needed.
• Develop manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and presentations from planning through submission and post-publication activities.
• Coordinate with Medical Affairs, Clinical, HEOR, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment.
• Manage publication timelines, risks, and multiple deliverables with internal and external partners.

Skills

Medical publications experience

Publication guidelines (ICMJE, GPP)

Life sciences knowledge

Education

PhD/MD/PharmD/MSc in life sciences

Job description

Ready to lead high-impact scientific publications and shape how breakthrough data reaches the global healthcare community?

R&D Partners is seeking a Publications Lead (Contractor) to join our client’s team in the UK. In the role, you will support the delivery of scientific publications across one or more therapeutic areas during a high-priority period. This role works alongside existing Publications Leads to provide additional leadership, executional support, and flexibility across the portfolio.

The position is suited for an experienced publications professional who can quickly embed within the team, independently manage key deliverables, and flex across priorities as needed to ensure timely, high-quality scientific communication.

Please note that to be considered for this role you must have the right to work in this location.

Responsibilities

Flexible Publication Leadership

• Partner with existing Publications Leads to support delivery of publication plans across priority programs
• Step in to lead specific publications, workstreams, or assets as needed
• Provide additional bandwidth during peak periods (e.g., congress timelines, key data readouts)

End-to-End Publication Execution

• Lead development and execution of manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and presentations
• Manage publication lifecycle from planning through submission and post-publication activities
• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality outputs aligned with agreed timelines
• Track publication milestones and maintain publication trackers and calendars

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Medical Affairs, Clinical, HEOR, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment
• Interface with authors, investigators, and external experts
• Support publication planning discussions and decision-making as needed

Vendor & Project Oversight

• Provide direction to medical writing agencies and review deliverables for scientific quality
• Manage timelines, risks, and competing priorities across multiple deliverables
• Ensure efficient execution across internal teams and external partners

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure all publications adhere to ICMJE, GPP, and internal policies
• Maintain scientific rigor and accuracy across all outputs
• Support audit-ready documentation and adherence to publication processes

Adaptive Support Across the Portfolio

• Flex across therapeutic areas, assets, or deliverables based on evolving business needs
• Pick up in-flight projects or support areas requiring additional focus
• Help maintain continuity and momentum across publication activities

Key Skills and Requirements

• Advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, or MSc) in life sciences
• 5-7+ years of experience in medical publications within pharma/biotech
• Strong knowledge of publication guidelines (ICMJE, GPP)