Sr. Science Writer

Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore (MD); Remote; Full time

Job summary

A leading university seeks a Sr. Science Writer to produce high-quality research manuscripts and proposals. This role involves overseeing writing projects, enhancing communication clarity, and collaborating with researchers across various fields, including biomolecular engineering. Ideal candidates will have a Master's Degree and substantial writing experience in scientific contexts.

Qualifications

• Experience writing and editing in biomolecular engineering and related fields.
• Ability to provide technical feedback and fact-checking for research documents.
• Excellent writing skills with attention to detail and clarity.

Responsibilities

• Identify, research, write, and edit communications for various audiences.
• Manage writing projects and deadlines, coordinating with team members.
• Provide editing and feedback on research documents and proposals.

Skills

Technical writing

Verbal communication

Project management

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Master's Degree in related technical/scientific field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Adobe Illustrator

Google Docs

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

We are seeking a Sr. Science Writer to support efforts to produce world-class research manuscripts, proposals, review materials, and research reports. The Senior Science Writer will support the research group by participating in, managing, and leading writing projects involving research manuscripts, research reports, and other strategic external and internal communications. Will have an in-depth understanding of the context and implications of the research in order to apply and interpret theoretical knowledge necessary to conduct research. The range of duties includes, but is not limited to: paper writing, grant writing, and assistance acquiring external funding, project planning, experimental design, and analysis.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Identify, research, write, and edit internal and external communications for a variety of audiences and mediums.
• Makes intellectual contributions with the collaboration of the PI. Makes independent decisions that may alter research outcomes and objectives.
• Clarify and improve logical flow and clarity in different types of scientific communications pertaining to technical areas of research in biomolecular engineering, synthetic biology and soft materials.
• Communicate with research group members to provide advice on writing, provide instruction on scientific writing skills ranging from grammar to writing strategies and overall content architecture.
• Read and finalize a range of research documents, manuscripts, and reports.
• Coordinate progress on documents involving multiple contributors and manage deadlines for delivery.
• Communicate with other research group members and assign specific tasks in collaboration to ensure completion of documents.
• Provide overall editing and feedback about different documents to research group members.
• Enhance problem-solving through interactions and collaboration with senior researchers at meetings and or professional presentations.
• Converse with research group members to improve and create written documents in collaboration.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Experience writing and ability to provide technical feedback, fact-checking, and clarification of written communication in the areas of biomolecular engineering, nucleic acid biochemistry, systems chemistry, soft materials, materials science, quantitative light, fluorescence and electron, microscopy, data analysis, spectroscopy, microfluidics, and nanofabrication.
• Experience writing and managing peer-reviewed research articles for international publications, handling data collection and dissemination, and experience writing and editing research grants for the NIH, NSF, and other federal agencies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to write clear, concise copy for a variety of mediums.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, cultural responsiveness, and the ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with multiple and diverse groups, including students, staff, faculty, alumni, and school and divisional partners.
• Superior attention to detail and organization; ability to think creatively, strategically, and analytically.
• Project management skills: ability to effectively manage several assignments simultaneously, set priorities, work in a fast-paced and exciting environment, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative in creating new content for print and digital platforms.
• Ability to quickly summarize key facts and convey complex subject matter to a general audience in an engaging, informative, and accurate manner.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft applications, including Word, Google Docs, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint
• Ability to manage basic figure design and experience with drawing programs such as PowerPoint or Adobe Illustrator and develop and understand the structure of illustrations related to the written communication.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's Degree in related technical/scientific field.
• Must possess in-depth subject matter knowledge.
• One-year related experience.
• Writing samples may be requested during the selection process.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) years related experience.

Classified Title: Sr. Science Writer
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PD
Starting Salary Range: Min $31.94 - Max $55,89 HRLY ($55,173 targeted; Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Casual / On Call
Schedule: 20 hrs/wk, M-F
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: Remote
Department name: Institute for NanoBioTechnology
Personnel area: Whiting School of Engineering

Total Rewards
The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:
JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate’s conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Accommodation Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at [e-mail]. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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