Expert Research Writer & Strategist

WVU Medicine; Morgantown (WV); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic medical center is seeking an Expert Research Writer & Strategist to drive strategic research and communication initiatives. The ideal candidate will create impactful content for grant proposals, publications, and presentations, focusing on healthcare innovations and value-based care. Responsibilities include collaborating with clinicians and researchers to translate complex concepts into engaging narratives. A Master's degree and extensive experience in healthcare communication are required. This position offers the opportunity to influence research and communications at a vital institution.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in public health, population health, epidemiology, healthcare, communication, or scientific writing.
• Five years of experience in relevant fields.
• PhD in related fields preferred with experience in healthcare administration.

Responsibilities

• Develop white papers and research articles on healthcare topics.
• Create compelling narratives for internal and external audiences.
• Write presentations and speeches for executive leadership.
• Translate complex research into accessible writings.

Skills

Writing skills

Research skills

Communication skills

Editing skills

Relationship-building

Education

Master’s degree in relevant field

PhD degree in relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Job description

WVU Medicine is seeking a dynamic, detail-oriented Expert Research Writer & Strategist to lead strategic research and communication initiatives that elevate and promote groundbreaking research and innovation across our academic medical center and throughout our network of system hospitals. This role will be instrumental in developing high-impact content that supports grant proposals, white papers, industry publications, case studies, and executive-level presentations, with a particular emphasis on population health and value-based care models.

The ideal candidate is a masterful writer, storyteller, and researcher with a deep understanding of healthcare and innovation. This position will work closely with clinicians, researchers, and leadership to translate complex scientific and clinical concepts into easy-to-understand and compelling narratives for internal and external audiences.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE: Master’s degree in public health, population health, epidemiology, healthcare, communication, scientific writing or related field.
2. EXPERIENCE: Five (5) years’ experience, coursework, or research in public health, population health, epidemiology, healthcare, communication, scientific writing, or related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE: PhD degree in public health, population health, epidemiology, healthcare, communication, scientific writing, or related field.
2. EXPERIENCE: Public health, healthcare administration, scientific writing, research, and communications, or experience related to health systems, academic institutions, and other large organizations.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Develops and produces white papers, articles, case studies, and coordinates research on topics by keeping abreast of national medical news, through internet research, and discussions with WVU Medicine physicians.
2. Develops speeches, talking points, and presentations that highlight our research publications, clinical trials, and cutting-edge innovations across the system.
3. Conducts research and develops presentations and white papers on a variety of topics, i.e., healthcare policy, population health trends, value-based care models, and healthcare innovations.
4. Conducts research and provides recommendations, in collaboration with marketing, for public institutional events and print releases to share research publications, clinical trials, and stories and successes of our health system to reach a broader audience.
5. Writes for other WVU Medicine internal and external publications, supports copy edits, proofreads, and provides support to providers and executive leadership (e.g., internal communications, blog posts, whitepapers, and case studies).
6. Attends and presents research and articles at professional conferences and symposiums.
7. Develops and publishes monthly articles on a variety of trending industry and research topics for distribution online and internally to physicians, patients, and students.
8. Develops and publishes educational and promotional content, in collaboration with Marketing, featuring the cutting-edge healthcare advancements and clinical trials throughout our health system.
9. Leads, coordinates, and has direct responsibility for a wide variety of special research and writing projects on behalf of Executive Leadership.
10. Promotes innovative programs and services of WVU Medicine by engaging within the academic healthcare research community via forums, conferences, and professional affiliations.
11. Translates complex clinical and scientific research into engaging, accessible writing for a variety of audiences, including funders, policymakers, media, and the general public.
12. Collaborate with principal investigators, clinical trial teams, and academic faculty to create and refine grant proposal narratives and research development materials.
13. Spotlights cutting-edge clinical trials, medical breakthroughs, and academic innovations across all WVU Medicine entities.
14. Works in partnership with marketing, media relations, clinical departments, and the WVU Health Sciences Center to align messaging and share impact stories.
15. Provides writing support for institutional reports, donor communications, and special projects as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Ability to sit for long periods of time.
2. Ability to lift, push or pull 10-15 pounds.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Working conditions are based on a normal office environment.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Fundamental writing, researching, editing, and communication skills are necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position.
2. Skilled and respected communicator with exceptional writing and presentation skills, along with sophisticated knowledge of conducting and publishing research.
3. Strong relationship-building skills.
4. Highly proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
5. Capable of handling multiple tasks with competing priorities under minimal supervision.

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.