Biomedical Sciences Blog

Careers in science writing and editing can come in many forms such as science journalism, medical writing, technical writing/editing, marketing, science publication officers, and science textbook publishing. The American Medical Writing Association survey reported that the average salary for a science writer is between $58,000-100,000 per year with senior level writers potentially making $165,000 per year. Many science writers enjoy the flexibility of telecommuting and working from home. Science writers report reasonable hours and that this career is family friendly.

Some examples of desirable skills include the ability to:

• Prepare required scientific or technical documents
• Work with graphic artists to ensure manuscript accuracy
• Maintain scientific journal reference manager programs, and coordinate a variety of reports related to scientific journal requests
• Write and edit memos, recommendation letters, and supporting documentation for personnel actions, nominations of prominent researchers for membership in professional societies, or other mission related activities, and prepare necessary materials and correspondence
• Take meeting notes as needed at scientific and collaborative meetings (e.g., discussions with partners/contractors). Assist in preparation of technical meeting summaries
• Assist in creating scientific summaries and updates for internal and external use
• Maintain and develop sources of information to gather data, and transmit findings in areas of biomedical science
• Design and create documents, using desktop publishing software and office tools
• Be self motivated
  

What background is necessary: PhD and another degree?

“Is specialized training in science writing required to be successful in the field? Some of the country's top science writers have no training in journalism and would probably answer "no." Yet, even if a science writing degree isn't absolutely necessary for a science writing career, it does make entering the field a whole lot easier.” –Robin Arnette, PhD and science writer at NIEHS.

From a recent career panel on science writing in Spring 2008

Background of science writers:

• Volunteered to write press releases for university
• Did not do a postdoctoral fellowship
• Did not take classes specifically to train as science writers
• Wrote for Endeavors magazine
• Worked at ETSI (Education and Training Systems International)
  

Advice from science writers and editors:

• Network and do informational interviews
• Attend career fairs
• For editors: Obtain a BELS (Board of Editors in the Life Sciences) Certification
  

More resources for science writing (Job Postings and Information):
American Medical Writers Association
National Association of Science Writing
The Council for Advancement of Science Writing

The David H. Murdock Research Institute (DHMRI) was established as a not-for-profit institute to support the groundbreaking research being carried out at the North Carolina Research Campus. Funded through a private grant by David H. Murdock, the DHMRI will host the worlds top talent and resources and promote an unprecedented level of scientific collaboration. Central to this new collaborative approach are the diverse scientific disciplines represented at the DHMRI. Destined to be the catalyst of major scientific discoveries in health and nutrition, the DHMRI offers capabilities ranging from next-generation DNA sequencing to cutting-edge confocal imaging and the worlds first actively-shielded 950 MHz NMR. The DHMRI is the first of its kind, housing this unique collection of state-of-the-art instrumentation in one central location. Housed in the David H. Murdock Research Building, the DHMRI will cover over 80,000 square feet of specialized laboratory space.

October 15th, 2008: DHMRI Taps Waters for Laboratory Technology

October 14th, 2008: DHMRI Specifies JEOL Cryo-electron Microscopes

April 15th, 2008: DHMRI and Carl Zeiss MicroImaging, Inc. committed to a long term partnership.

September 24th, 2007: $35 Million Gift to Fight Disease Brings Major Study to NC Research Campus.

August 21st, 2006: New Nonprofit Institute to be located at NC Research Campus scores a scientific ‘first and only’.

Current Openings:

Click on the position title to view the job description.

Genotyping and Expression Analysis Lab Manager (GEN201)

Sequencing Analysis Lab Manager (GEN202)

Genomics Research Technician (GEN301)

Light Microscopy Core Facility Manager (LMC201)

Protein Assay Lab Manager (PRT201)

Protein Chemist (PRT301)

Proteomics Lab Analyst (PRT302)

Proteomics Lab Manager (PRT202)

Metabolomics GC-MS Lab Manager (MET201)

Metabolomics LC-MS Lab Manager (MET202)

Lab Manager for NMR-Based Metabolomics (MET203)

NMR Lab Manager (NMR201)