Science Writer - Internal Medicine, Cardiology

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.

Richmond (VA)

Hybrid

USD 55,000 - 102,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Pauley Heart Center seeks an experienced Scientific/Technical Writer to support faculty and research teams in developing high-quality biomedical grant proposals and related materials. The role focuses on NIH and other federal submissions, with expertise in writing, editing, graphics, and strategic guidance.

This is a restricted position with continuation based on funding and performance; hybrid work arrangement and competitive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in English, Technical Writing or related field or equivalent experience.
Strong written communication skills and attention to detail.
Proficiency with graphical tools for scientific figure creation (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, BioRender).
Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

Responsibilities

Lead and support development of competitive biomedical research proposals for NIH, PCORI, and other sponsors.
Create high-quality scientific graphics and visual content for proposals and manuscripts.
Develop and standardize protocols, MOPs, and SOPs for regulatory compliance and reproducibility.
Collaborate with investigators and grants staff to align content with funding priorities and guidelines.

Skills

Excellent written communication

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in English/Technical Writing

Master’s or PhD preferred (biomedical)

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

BioRender

Job description

Advertising Summary:

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located inthe heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’ssponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationallyrecognized for patient care and education. Virginia CommonwealthUniversity is an equal opportunity employer.

Unit:

School Of Medicine

Department:

Pauley Heart Center

Department Summary:

Founded more than 20 years ago,the Pauley Heart Center is today the top-ranked heart center inVirginia, and one of only a handful of named heart centers in thenation. Headquartered at VCU Health in Richmond with outpatientcenters throughout central and southeast Virginia, Pauley providesclinical services and community education and outreach programsthroughout the region. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of deathnationwide and in Virginia, and despite advances in prevention andtreatment in recent decades, CVD disproportionately affectsindividuals with poor social determinants of health. Pauley'smission is to improve cardiovascular care and reduce healthdisparities for all through interdisciplinary, cutting-edge,clinical, translational and community-based research; training anddeveloping the next generation of cardiovascular cliniciansandresearchers across all levels of education; and providinginnovative and accessible cardiovascular procedural care (bothsurgical and catheter-based) that is the best in the Commonwealth.Pauley is a regional and national leader in research, education,and clinical programs involving electrophysiology; advanced cardiacimaging (MRI, CT, echo); advanced heart failure, includingdevice-based treatments, total artificial heart, and hearttransplant programs; cardio-oncology; high-risk percutaneouscoronary interventions; adult congenital heart disease; andexercise-based cardiovascular disease prevention. Pauley alsooperates top-flight sub-specialty clinics and research programsinvestigating cardiac amyloidosis; cardiac sarcoidosis; andhypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Scientific/Technical Writer tosupport Pauley Heart Center faculty and research teams in thedevelopment of high-quality biomedical research proposals andrelated materials. This role plays a critical part in securingextramural funding by providing expert writing, editing, graphicaldevelopment, and strategic guidance for NIH and other federal grantsubmissions. The ideal candidate brings strong scientific literacy,exceptional written communication skills, and a deep understandingof NIH funding mechanisms and expectations.

This is a restricted position with no set end date continuedemployment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding,and performance.

Core Responsibilities:

Scientific Proposal Development

Lead and support the development of competitive researchproposals for federal NIH (including NCI, NHLBI, and other federalagencies) and PCORI organizations, for investigator-initiatedindustry sponsored proposals, as well as other non-profit sponsorssuch as American Heart Association and local philanthropicorganizations.
Assist with written materials to support requests to city,state, and federal governments for funding of clinical,education/training and research initiatives
In close collaboration with submitting faculty, draft, edit,and coordinate all required proposal components, such as SpecificAims, Research Strategy, Abstracts, Facilities & Resources,Data Sharing Plans, Human Subjects research documents and OtherRequired Documents.
Assist faculty with preparation of bisketches, CVs and OtherSupport documents utilizing current tools provided by fundingorganizations
Ensure proposals comply with agency guidelines, formattingrequirements, and submission policies.
Collaborate closely with faculty investigators, research staff,and grants administration to refine scientific narratives and alignproposal content with funding priorities.

Graphical and Visual Content Development

Create high-quality scientific graphics, figures, and visualschematics for grant proposals and manuscripts.
Translate complex scientific concepts into clear, compellingvisual representations that strengthen proposal clarity andimpact.
Ensure consistency, accuracy, and adherence to NIH and journalstandards for graphical content.

Program Announcement Review and Grant Mechanism AdvisementProtocols, Manuals of Operation, and SOP Development

Review internal and external funding opportunity announcements(FOAs), requests for applications (RFAs), and program announcements(PAs) and target them towards appropriate faculty based on theirresearch interests.
Advise faculty on the appropriateness of specific fundingmechanisms (e.g., R01, R21, PPG, PCORI, K awards etc.) relative totheir research scope, career stage, and scientific aims.
Assist investigators in aligning project concepts with agencymissions and review criteria.

Protocols, Manuals of Operation, and SOP Development

Write, edit, and standardize research protocols for clinical,translational, and preclinical studies.
Develop Manuals of Operations (MOPs) that clearly define studyworkflows, roles, data collection procedures, and quality controlmeasures.
Author and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) tosupport regulatory compliance, reproducibility, and consistentstudy execution.
Collaborate with investigators, regulatory staff, and studyteams to ensure documents are accurate, clear, and aligned withinstitutional and federal requirements.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment ofrespect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty,staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or acommitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
Bachelor’s degree in English, Technical Writing or relatedfield, or other equivalent experience
Proficiency with graphical tools for scientific figure creation(e.g., Adobe Illustrator, BioRender, or similar).
Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multipleprojects and deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD preferred) in a scientific,biomedical, or related technical field.
Demonstrated experience writing and editing NIH or otherfederal grant proposals.
Experience developing research protocols, MOPs, and SOPs.
Strong understanding of biomedical research methods andterminology.

Salary Range:

$55,000 - $101,900

Benefits

All full-time university staff are eligible forVCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annualand holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planningand savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs,employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunitiesfor career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status:

Exempt

Hours per Week:

Restricted Position:

Yes

ORP Eligible:

Flexible Work Arrangement:

Hybrid

University Job Title:

93422 - Open

Contact Information:

Contact Name: CheyenneTaylor