Senior Science Writer

Wellcome Sanger Institute; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wellcome Sanger Institute is seeking a Senior Science Writer to lead strategic planning and publishing for the Institute's blog, spanning topics from human genetics to cancer and the tree of life. You will also craft social media posts to promote pioneering research and collaborate with researchers and communications teams to disseminate findings.

Key duties include writing accurate science communications for blogs, media releases and the web, plus developing long-form features, pitches for

Qualifications

• Experience in writing clear, accurate scientific communications.
• Demonstrable ability to write blogs, media releases and social content.
• Ability to work with web content and CMS platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead on strategic planning and publishing of science writing for the blog across channels.
• Create social media posts to promote Institute content and work with researchers.
• Develop long-form features, pitches for journalists, and reports.
• Build relationships with internal teams and external collaborators.

Skills

Clear scientific communications

Biology degree or equivalent

Blogs, media releases & social content

Content management systems

Excellent communications

Influence and negotiate

Coordinate with contractors

Research & data gathering

Multi-project management

Education

Scientific degree or equivalent understanding of biology

Tools

Content Management Systems (CMS)

Job description

Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

Are you a creative and versatile Science Writer looking for a chance to make a real impact? Are you able to craft a story into a feature, and distil it down to a social media post?

We are looking for a talented writer to join the Communications Team at the Wellcome Sanger Institute on a Permanent Contract and be part of an organisation at the forefront of genomic research and innovation.

About the Role:

As a Senior Science Writer, you will create engaging content and lead on strategic planning for the Sanger Institute's blog. You will work across diverse areas of science – from human genetics to cancer, and across the tree of life.

Alongside this, you will create social media posts to promote content and the Institute’s work. In addition, you'll have the opportunity to work on long-form feature articles, feature pitches for journalists, publications, reports, website and intranet content, all of which play a crucial role in disseminating the Institute's world-leading research.

Your primary responsibility will be to find and create compelling content about our pioneering science, innovative technologies, and the remarkable people driving progress at the Sanger Institute. Through your work, you'll contribute to our recruitment efforts, cater to stakeholder communication needs, support research strategies, and empower our researchers to share their discoveries with the wider public.

In this role, building and maintaining strong relationships will be key. You'll forge meaningful connections both within the Sanger Institute and externally with collaborators. You will work closely with members of the Communications Team to find, develop and write content for Sanger Institute channels.

Your work will not only promote the cutting-edge science and people behind it but also reach diverse audiences, including researchers, collaborators, partners, funders, and the wider public. By showcasing the research that takes place at the Sanger Institute, you will contribute to its mission of advancing understanding of biology and improving health.

About you:

With experience in science writing, you will enjoy working to find and promote stories about people, data, science and technology. You will lead on strategic planning, creation and publishing of accurate and engaging science writing and content for a wide audience across all available channels. In addition to strong communication skills, you will have a creative approach and are open to new ideas. You will have the ability to adapt your style depending on the intended audience.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Experience of writing clear, accurate scientific communications
• Scientific degree or demonstrable equivalent understanding of biology
• Demonstrable ability to write blogs, media releases and social media content, and to write for the web
• Experience of using content management systems to build and publish content
• Excellent communication ability including written and oral skills
• Demonstrable ability to influence and negotiate with managers at all levels in an organisation
• Demonstrable ability to coordinate with external and internal contractors for delivery of agreed services/goods
• Strong information gathering and problem solving skills
• Able to manage multiple concurrent projects and work under pressure, and manage a high-volume workload with conflicting priorities

About the Team:

The Communications Team as a whole has a wide range of responsibilities. They manage media relations at the Sanger Institute, which entails writing and disseminating press releases and reactive statements, establishing connections with journalists, and facilitating media visits. Additionally, the team curates and manages content for the Sanger Institute's website, blog and publications. Beyond external communications, the team also nurtures internal connectivity. They oversee the intranet and other internal channels, ensuring information flow within the Institute's vibrant community.

Other information:

Although this is an office-based role, we have adopted a hybrid working pattern with at least two days per week in the office, to allow for both on-Campus working and a level of home-based flexibility.

Application Process:

• Salary per annum: In the region of £45,000
• Communication job family: Grade 2 Role Profile
• Contract type: Permanent, full-time
• Closing date: 13th September 2026
• Interviews: Anticipated to take place week commencing 21st Sept, on Campus

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks: LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability, Gender Equity and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We believe people do their best work when they can be their authentic selves. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.