Scientific Writer & Editor, OncoKB

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

Job summary

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is seeking a Scientific Writer/Editor to support OncoKB, MSK’s FDA-recognized precision oncology knowledge base. The role focuses on curating clinical/genomic annotations, writing summaries of new cancer genes and variants, and ensuring high-quality, evidence-based content.

You will review literature from multiple sources, interpret clinical trial data, and contribute to SOPs while training summer students.

Qualifications

• Requires Master’s degree in a relevant scientific field and 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 and experimental details.
• Ability to interpret clinical trial protocols and results, including endpoints and study designs.
• Excellent scientific writing, editing, proofreading, and fact-checking skills.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail.

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 publications, databases, and conferences.
• Interpret preclinical and clinical evidence related to genomic biomarkers and targeted therapies.
• Write, edit, proofread, fact-check, and format content per OncoKB standards.
• Identify gaps in OncoKB annotations and address them proactively.
• Support genomic curation projects in collaboration with OncoKB scientists.
• Coordinate review cycles and contribute to SOPs and processes.

Skills

Cancer biology

Genomics

Literature interpretation

Scientific writing

Collaboration

Data quality control

AI-assisted search

Education

Master’s degree

PhD preferred

Tools

OncoKB platform

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 pursue our mission at MSK and around the globe.

Exciting Opportunity at MSK: Scientific Writer/Editor, OncoKB

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.

The CMO promotes precision oncology through genomic analysis to help guide the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancer. OncoKB is an integral part of MSK’s clinical genomics platform, capturing scientific and clinical knowledge about genomic biomarkers and their implications across cancer types. In this role, you will help expand and maintain OncoKB by evaluating emerging scientific evidence, curating genomic and clinical information, and ensuring the quality and accuracy of its content.

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 - $148,400.00FSLA 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.