Senior Science Editor

Buck Institute for Research on Aging; 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 for Research on Aging in Novato, CA seeks a Senior Science Editor to translate cutting-edge geroscience and longevity research into compelling journalism. You will shape Buck's science story strategy by interviewing leading researchers and producing feature articles, profiles, and explanatory pieces.

The role demands rigorous editing, cross-team collaboration, and the ability to pitch ideas to donors and media partners, while maintaining scientific accuracy and a consistent

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional science writing and editing experience.
• Ability to translate complex biology and geroscience for lay audiences.
• Experience with developmental editing and interviewing senior scientists.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience covering aging biology or philanthropic communications preferred.

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.
• 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.

Skills

Science writing

Editing

Interviewing

Project management

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s in Science Communication

Biology degree

Journalism degree

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-dive 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 biomedical and 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.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life insurance
• 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.