Senior Science Editor

Buck Institute; Novato (CA); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Life insurance

401(k) with 5% employer match

Job summary

The Buck Institute in Novato, California seeks a Senior Science Editor to translate aging research into engaging features, profiles, and commentary for a global audience. You will shape the science story strategy by interviewing leading researchers and surfacing frontier topics from primary literature.

This hybrid role involves cross‑channel content, donor communications, and collaboration with faculty and leadership. Travel up to 10% may be required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional science writing and editing experience.
• Demonstrated ability to read peer‑reviewed journals and translate complex biology for lay audiences.
• Proven mastery of developmental editing and interviewing senior scientists.
• Excellent collaboration and project management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Science Writing & Storytelling: conduct in-depth interviews and craft long‑form features and profiles.
• Editorial Strategy & Calendar Management: develop a cross‑channel editorial calendar.
• High‑Stakes Philanthropic Narrative: create donor communications and white papers.
• Multi‑Platform Editorial Content: write/edit content for digital, newsletters, and video scripts.
• Scientific Integrity & Brand Voice: maintain editorial guidelines and accuracy.
• Media & External Engagement: pitch story concepts to editors and media.

Skills

Science writing

Editing

Interviewing

Project management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Science Communication, Biology, Journalism

Advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred

Job description

Position Overview

The Senior Science Editor serves as the primary scientific journalistic voice and editorial strategist for the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. This role translates cutting‑edge geroscience, cell biology, and longevity breakthroughs into narrative‑driven feature articles, deep‑divе profiles, and investigative‑style scientific commentary. You will cover the forefront of aging research for an intellectually curious global audience, including science‑literate donors, academic peers, media partners, and the public.

You will shape the Buck’s science story strategy by interviewing leading researchers, pitching high‑impact editorial series, and reading primary scientific literature to surface stories at the frontier of aging research.

Key Responsibilities

• Science Writing & Storytelling: Conduct in-depth interviews with Buck principal investigators to craft long‑form features, researcher profiles, and explanatory pieces on geroscience and longevity. Turn intricate biomedicaland biological breakthroughs into rigorous, highly readable narratives for intellectually curious audiences.
• Editorial Strategy & Calendar Management: Develop and maintain a cross‑channel editorial calendar aligned with research publications, institutional milestones, events, and fundraising priorities.
• High‑Stakes Philanthropic Narrative: Translate complex institutional research initiatives into narrative‑driven case statements, white papers, and donor communications that resonate with science‑literate philanthropists and institutional partners.
• Multi‑Platform Editorial Content: Write and edit impactful content across channels, including digital publications, newsletters, executive op‑eds, video scripts, and presentation narratives. Help lead scientific content creation for a new institutional website.
• Scientific Integrity & Brand Voice: Maintain institutional editorial guidelines, ensuring narrative clarity, journalistic rigor, and meticulous scientific accuracy across all communications.
• Media & External Engagement: Pitch original story concepts to external science editors, media outlets, and journalists, while helping prepare faculty experts for high‑profile interviews

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: 5+ years of professional science writing and editing experience, with a background in science journalism or research institution editorial teams.
• Scientific Literacy: Demonstrated ability to read peer‑reviewed journals and translate complex biology, genetics, and geroscience directly from primary sources into engaging narratives for lay audiences without compromising scientific nuance.
• Journalistic Skillset: Proven mastery of developmental editing, narrative arc building, and interviewing senior scientists.
• Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills to build trust with leading principal investigators, executive leadership, and philanthropy teams.
• Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple writing deadlines and editorial projects simultaneously.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Science Communication, Biology, Journalism, or a related field required; advanced degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.
• Preferred: Experience covering aging biology, geroscience, or biomedical research, and experience writing for philanthropic audiences.

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this position is $125,000 to $150,000 annually. Annual compensation will be based on relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and other job‑related factors.

The Buck Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and a 401(k) with a 5% employer match.

Location & Travel

This is a hybrid position based at the Buck Institute in Novato, California, with 4 days per week on campus. Travel is estimated at up to 10%, including regular local travel throughout the Bay Area and periodic domestic trips. The role also includes occasional evening and weekend events.

Why Work at the Buck Institute?

Our success will ultimately change healthcare. The Buck Institute aims to end the threat of age‑related diseases for current and future generations by bringing together highly capable and passionate scientists from a broad range of disciplines to identify and impede the mechanisms of aging.

Located in Marin County, California, the Buck is an independent nonprofit institution dedicated to increasing human healthspan—the healthy years of life. Globally recognized as a pioneer and leader in targeting aging, the number one risk factor for diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, macular degeneration, heart disease, and diabetes, the Buck seeks to help people live better, longer.

The Buck Institute is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.