Research Communications Specialist - Cancer Research

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is seeking a Research Communications Specialist 3 to lead high‑impact scientific writing and coordination across grants, manuscripts, and strategic communications.

You will collaborate with faculty and administrators to translate complex research into compelling materials for funding bodies, journals, and diverse audiences, supervising projects and mentoring junior staff.

Qualifications

• Four (4) years of professional experience in scientific communications, grant writing, manuscript development, research administration, academic medicine, public health, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience writing and editing federally funded grant applications.
• Experience coordinating complex, multidisciplinary writing projects involving multiple contributors.
• Experience developing scientific manuscripts for peer‑reviewed publication.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, writing, editing, and coordination of competitive federal, foundation, industry, and institutional grant applications.
• Draft and edit Specific Aims, Research Strategy sections, executive summaries, abstracts, biosketches, progress reports, letters of support, data management plans, and other proposal components.
• Collaborate with investigators, statisticians, community partners, and research administration personnel to ensure scientific and administrative consistency across submissions.
• Develop compelling narratives that effectively communicate scientific significance, innovation, impact, and alignment with sponsor priorities.

Skills

Grant writing

Scientific editing

Manuscript development

Proposal coordination

Communication strategy

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public health, biomedical sciences, English, health sciences, or related field

Master's degree in Public Health, Biomedical Sciences, Communications, Journalism, Public Administration, Health Sciences, or related field

Job description

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Position Summary

The Research Communications Specialist 3 serves as a senior-level communications professional responsible for developing, writing, editing, and coordinating high-impact scientific communications that advance the research, funding, and strategic priorities of the organization. This position provides leadership in the preparation of competitive grant applications, scientific manuscripts, reports, programmatic publications, research dissemination materials, and stakeholder communications. The individual collaborates extensively with faculty investigators, research teams, administrative leadership, and external partners to translate complex scientific concepts into compelling written products tailored to scientific, clinical, community, and funding audiences.

The position functions as a strategic communications resource supporting large multidisciplinary research initiatives, center grants, program project grants, training grants, cancer center activities, and faculty scholarship. The Research Communications Specialist 3 independently manages multiple complex projects, provides editorial leadership, and ensures communications products meet sponsor requirements, institutional standards, and publication expectations.

Job Duties

Grant Development and Scientific Writing

• Lead development, writing, editing, and coordination of competitive federal, foundation, industry, and institutional grant applications.
• Draft and edit Specific Aims, Research Strategy sections, executive summaries, abstracts, biosketches, progress reports, letters of support, data management plans, and other proposal components.
• Collaborate with investigators, statisticians, community partners, and research administration personnel to ensure scientific and administrative consistency across submissions.
• Develop compelling narratives that effectively communicate scientific significance, innovation, impact, and alignment with sponsor priorities.
• Coordinate proposal timelines and facilitate contributions from multiple stakeholders.
• Review funding opportunity announcements and provide strategic recommendations for proposal responsiveness and competitiveness.

Manuscript Development and Publication Support

• Provide substantive scientific editing and manuscript development support for peer-reviewed publications.
• Assist faculty and research teams with manuscript organization, writing, formatting, journal submission requirements, and responses to reviewer comments.
• Develop literature summaries, publication plans, and dissemination strategies.
• Ensure published works adhere to journal formatting, reporting guidelines, citation standards, and sponsor requirements.
• Track publication metrics and support compliance with public access and research dissemination policies.

Research Communications and Strategic Content Development

• Create research-focused communications including annual reports, newsletters, website content, fact sheets, white papers, impact reports, strategic plans, presentations, and briefing materials.
• Translate complex scientific findings into audience-appropriate communications for community, clinical, academic, governmental, and donor audiences.
• Develop materials highlighting research accomplishments, grant awards, clinical trials, publications, and program outcomes.
• Support communications related to center grants, training programs, shared resources, faculty recruitment initiatives, and institutional research priorities.

Project Leadership and Collaboration

• Manage multiple concurrent communications projects with minimal supervision.
• Serve as a communications consultant to faculty, investigators, administrators, and program leaders.
• Establish writing timelines, monitor deliverables, and ensure adherence to deadlines.
• Mentor junior communications, administrative, and research staff in scientific writing and communication best practices.
• Participate in strategic planning and dissemination efforts that enhance institutional visibility and research impact.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public health, biomedical sciences, English, health sciences, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Four (4) years of professional experience in scientific communications, grant writing, manuscript development, research administration, academic medicine, public health, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience writing and editing federally funded grant applications.
• Experience coordinating complex, multidisciplinary writing projects involving multiple contributors.
• Experience developing scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Health, Biomedical Sciences, Communications, Journalism, Public Administration, Health Sciences, or related field.
• Experience supporting NIH, NCI, CDC, PCORI, DoD, NSF, ACS, or foundation grant submissions.
• Experience working within an academic medical center, comprehensive cancer center, research institute, or university setting.
• Experience supporting center grants, program project grants, SPOREs, P01s, U-series awards, training grants, and large collaborative research initiatives.
• Familiarity with cancer research, population sciences, clinical research, implementation science, community-engaged research, and health disparities research.

Thank you for your interest in working at Ohio State.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.