Scientific Writer & Editor, OncoKB

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 93,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is seeking a Scientific Writer/Editor for the OncoKB knowledge base. You will curate clinical and genomic annotations, write summaries for new cancer genes, and perform literature reviews across diverse sources to inform genomic biomarkers and targeted therapies.

You will edit and fact-check content to OncoKB standards, identify data gaps, and collaborate with OncoKB scientists.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a scientific field; PhD strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of cancer biology, genetics, genomics, and molecular biology.
• Experience interpreting scientific literature, including figures, tables, experimental models, and functional studies.
• Ability to interpret clinical trial protocols and results, including key oncology endpoints and study designs.
• Strong scientific writing, editing, copyediting, proofreading, and fact-checking skills.
• Excellent analytical and organizational abilities with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate effectively in a team.

Responsibilities

• Curate, maintain, and perform quality control of clinical and genomic annotations for OncoKB.
• Research and write summaries for new cancer-associated genes and genomic variants.
• Conduct literature reviews to identify and evaluate information from scientific publications and public databases.
• Interpret preclinical and clinical evidence related to genomic biomarkers and targeted therapies.
• Write, edit, proofread, fact-check, and format scientific content per OncoKB standards.
• Identify gaps in annotations and proactively address them.
• Support genomic curation projects in collaboration with OncoKB scientists.
• Coordinate review cycles and help maintain SOPs and curation processes.
• Use AI tools for literature retrieval while maintaining data integrity.
• Train and guide summer students supporting annotation projects.

Skills

Cancer biology

Genomics

Molecular biology

Scientific writing

Editing and proofreading

Literature interpretation

Clinical trial interpretation

Data analysis

Project management

Team collaboration

AI-assisted literature retrieval

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant scientific field

Job description

About Us

The people of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are united by a singular mission: ending cancer for life. Our specialized care teams provide personalized, compassionate, expert care to patients of all ages. Informed by basic research done at our Sloan Kettering Institute, scientists across MSK collaborate to conduct innovative translational and clinical research that is driving a revolution in our understanding of cancer as a disease and improving the ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat it. MSK is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and clinicians, who go on to pursueour missionat MSK and around the globe.

About Us

The people of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are united by a singular mission: ending cancer for life. Our specialized care teams provide personalized, compassionate, expert care to patients of all ages. Informed by basic research done at our Sloan Kettering Institute, scientists across MSK collaborate to conduct innovative translational and clinical research that is driving a revolution in our understanding of cancer as a disease and improving the ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat it. MSK is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and clinicians, who go on to pursueour missionat MSK and around the globe.

Exciting Opportunity at MSK

Are you a scientist enthusiastic about cancer biology, genomics, and their clinical applications? The Center for Molecular Oncology (CMO) is seeking a Scientific Writer/Editor to support OncoKB, our FDA-recognized precision oncology knowledge base.

Role Overview

• Curate, maintain, and perform quality control of clinical and genomic annotations for the OncoKB knowledge base.
• Research and write summaries for new cancer-associated genes and genomic variants.
• Conduct thorough literature reviews to identify and evaluate relevant information from scientific publications, public databases, oncology conferences, and other sources.
• Interpret preclinical and clinical evidence related to genomic biomarkers and targeted therapies.
• Write, edit, proofread, fact-check, and format scientific content to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to OncoKB standards.
• Identify gaps in existing OncoKB annotations and proactively research and address them.
• Support genomic curation projects in collaboration with OncoKB scientists.
• Coordinate review cycles and contribute to the maintenance and improvement of OncoKB SOPs and curation processes.
• Use appropriate AI-based tools for literature retrieval and data assessment while maintaining data integrity and accuracy.
• Train and provide guidance to summer students supporting annotation projects.

Key Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant scientific field with at least 2-4 years of related experience; PhD strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of cancer biology, genetics, genomics, and molecular biology.
• Experience interpreting scientific literature, including figures, tables, experimental models, and functional studies.
• Ability to interpret clinical trial protocols and results, including key oncology endpoints and study designs.
• Strong scientific writing and editing skills, including copyediting, proofreading, and fact-checking.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate effectively in a team environment.

Core Skills

• Scientific literature review and evidence synthesis
• Cancer biology and genomics
• Genomic data curation and annotation
• Clinical trial data interpretation
• Scientific writing, editing, and proofreading
• Data quality control and organization
• Strong communication and collaboration
• AI-assisted literature retrieval and data assessment

Additional Information

• Schedule: Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours, hybrid (primarily remote)
• Location: 321 E. 61st Street, NYC (Joy Building)
• Reporting to: OncoKB Manager (OncoKB Senior Scientist)

Helpful Links

• Compensation Philosophy
• Benefits

Pay Range: $92,700.00 - $148,400.00

FSLA Status: Exempt

Closing

At MSK, we believe in fair, competitive pay that reflects your job, experience, and skills. MSK is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruiting and employment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran status or any other factor which cannot lawfully be used as a basis for an employment decision. Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.