Senior Linguist for Life Sciences - Simplified Chinese

Welocalize; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Welocalize, Inc. is seeking a senior lead linguist to manage translation and copy-editing tasks for Life Sciences projects in the United States.

You will coordinate freelancers, maintain language resources, and resolve terminology questions to ensure high-quality deliverables that meet client objectives. You will work closely with Quality, Program Squads, Talent and clients on clinical research documents such as protocols, consent forms, IMPDs and labels, ensuring accurate localization and

Qualifications

• 8+ years in translation/localization with Life Sciences focus.
• 5+ years of review experience.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Native fluency in Simplified Chinese.
• Deep knowledge of Life Sciences regulatory terminology.
• Proficient with CAT tools and AI post-editing concepts.
• Ability to lead freelancers and coordinate teams.
• Able to meet tight deadlines and manage priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead linguist on assigned accounts; SME support for clients.
• Perform copy-edit tasks on projects or accounts.
• Handle on-demand translation tasks as needed.
• Own deliveries translated by linguists for Simplified Chinese.
• Prepare and maintain glossaries and style guides to standard.
• Manage project-related queries and terminology questions.
• Coordinate a team of freelancers on projects.
• Test and qualify new freelancers; monitor performance.
• Develop and train freelancers per account needs.
• Plan capacity for Life Sciences; ensure resources exist.

Skills

Lead linguist

Coordination

Terminology mgmt

Quality assurance

Client communication

Project planning

Education

University degree in Translation/Applied Languages

Master's degree in Life Sciences translation

Life Sciences background

Tools

XTM

SDL Studio

JIRA

Verifika

Job description

This role involves managing translation and copy-editing tasks, ensuring high-quality linguistic deliverables for assigned projects or accounts. Responsibilities include coordinating freelancers, maintaining language resources, resolving terminology queries, and collaborating with clients and internal teams to enhance workflow efficiency.

This is a key position that requires a strong background in Life Sciences translation, with a focus on clinical research documents (clinical trial protocols, patient information sheets/informed consent forms, investigational medicinal product dossiers (IMPD), investigational drug labels, patient recruitment materials, etc.).

This role works closely with Quality, Program Squads, Talent, Simplified Chinese suppliers, and other stakeholders to provide precise language support for life sciences and more specifically clinical research-related matters.

This professional ensures that the expected level of translation quality is maintained, and the product delivered to the client should always meet its intended purpose.

Job Reference: #LI-JC1

The following is a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities and areas of ownership for this role:

• Performing lead linguist function on assigned accounts; provide SME support for designated clients
• Performing copy-edit tasks on assigned projects or accounts
• Performing on-demand translation tasks
• Taking ownership of deliveries that were translated by the linguists for one or more accounts into Simplified Chinese
• Preparing, managing and maintaining the language materials (including glossaries, Style Guides, work instruction) up to the quality standards and up to date as required by the account or project
• Managing project-related queries
• Ensuring good interaction among team members and resolving questions on terminology and language matters
• Coordinating a team of freelancers on assigned projects or accounts
• Testing and qualifying new freelancers and vendors as required; monitor resources' performance
• Developing and training of new and existing freelancers according to the accounts' and Welocalize's needs
• Recommend Simplified ChineseLife Sciences resources to Squads, based on data of quality, OTD, language strategy, capacity needs, content specialty, or client specific requirements
• Conduct monthly capacity planning for Life Sciences, make sure adequate resources in place to support the production
• Interacting with clients on linguistic matters as required
• Work with Quality and Squads to plan and perform LQAs, and drive arbitration process
• Support Quality team in reviewing client escalations related to Simplified Chinese and in conducting RCAs for life sciences translation
• Responsible for client inquiries; attend client calls as needed
• Participating in the development of new and improved working processes
• Meet or exceed the productivity KPI
• Achieving the goals set by the Squad Lead

Education Level

• University degree in Translation/Applied Languages or equivalent combination of education and experience, in a Life Sciences-related field: Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursery, Biology, Chemistry.
• A Master's degree is a plus
• 4+ years of relevant experience in translation/localization, with speciality Life Sciences

Experience

• 8+ years of relevant experience in translation/localization/editing or content writing
• 5+ years of review experience
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken
• Native fluency in Simplified Chinese
• Thorough understanding of the localization process
• Knowledge of Simplified Chinese life sciences and clinical research regulations
• Excellent user experience of standard CAT tools, e.g. XTM, SDL Studio, and issue tracking and query management tools, e.g. JIRA, Verifika
• Excellent user experience of standard software, such as Windows and Office applications
• Good understanding of Machine Translation Post-Editing process and willingness to work with AI tools
• Ability to learn new localization tools and applications quickly
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent knowledge of terminology used in two or more subject matters
• Subject-matter expert within company for discipline or process
• Ability to work with tight deadlines
• Ability to give clear, concise and constructive feedback
• Ability to coordinate internal and external translators
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, linguists
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability and willingness to train/teach others and pass on knowledge
• Ability, willingness and experience in communicating positively with customers at various levels
• Ability to work in a virtual team contributing to the team's success, or work independently as needed
• Problem-solving mindset that can proactively assess and mitigate risks
• Ability to prioritize ongoing projects based on business needs and urgencies that arise
• Excellent oral and written communication skills