Senior Science Writer

Job Category: Full-time/Exempt

Department/Division: Publications Department / Publishing and Product Development

Reports To: Executive Editor, Cancer Discovery

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Organization Profile:

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), with nearly 33,000 members, is the oldest and largest scientific organization in the world focused on every aspect of high-quality, innovative cancer research. The programs and services of the AACR foster the exchange of knowledge and new ideas among scientists dedicated to cancer research. The AACR publishes seven peer-reviewed scientific journals and a magazine; convenes topical scientific conferences and an annual meeting that draws more than 18,000 participants; offers workshops, fellowships and grants; raises public awareness of the progress in and cause for hope in cancer research; and advocates for strong federal research funding.

As part of its ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive information to the science community, the AACR has developed an important new journal, Cancer Discovery. This high-impact publication presents peer-reviewed articles describing major advances in research and clinical trials. Cancer Discovery is an essential information resource that offers original research articles, review articles, news, perspectives and commentaries, and Research Watch summaries of noteworthy journal articles. Topics span the spectrum of cancer research and medicine from the laboratory to the clinic to epidemiologic studies.

Job Summary:

The senior science writer will oversee the Research Watch section and features of Cancer Discovery. This includes coordinating input received from scientific editorial board members, writing and editing summaries and features, and ensuring consistently high-quality content across the breadth of cancer science and medicine. Research Watch summaries will be reported weekly through the online journal, later moving to online posting more frequently. Selected summaries will be published in and/or linked to the monthly print version. In addition to the Research Watch section, the successful candidate will work with the journal’s executive editors and journal news staff to develop special features.

The senior science writer will report to a Cancer Discovery executive editor and will be a key member of the senior editorial team.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Surveys select journals for potential content for coverage
• Researches, writes, produces and edits Research Watch summaries
• Establishes, monitors and reports on measurements for progress and informed decision-making
• Sets targets for continuous improvement of content coverage, quality and turnaround
• Trains and supervises an in-house science writer
• Manages multiple projects and delivers them according to prescribed deadlines
• Works with the journal’s editorial, marketing and production teams, as well as AACR’s Communications, Policy and Program departments
• Represents the journal at conferences and meetings

Qualifications and Competencies:

• Five years of experience writing scientific articles in the life sciences, as well as a history of effectively managing staff and freelance workers
• Demonstrated success delivering accurate, high-quality, timely stories with scientific content
• Ability to communicate directly with researchers and to translate technical scientific content to scientists working in other disciplines
• Understanding of organization, structure and ethics of electronic and print media, journalistic techniques, terminology and style, as they relate to scientific content
• Outstanding management and leadership skills with the ability to maneuver and adapt practices in response to an ever-changing work environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• High level of motivation, initiative and commitment to researching and delivering scientific content
• Highly developed interpersonal and diplomatic skills; ability to exercise sound judgment in decision-making
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to collaborate with department, staff and others involved in the work of the journal

Education and Training:

• A master’s degree in a life science, journalism or scientific writing
• Ph.D. or M.D. a plus

How to Apply

This position offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package. To apply, please send a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to:

Human Resources
P.O. Box 40138
Philadelphia, PA 19106
e-mail: humanresources@aacr.org
fax: 215-440-1045

Science Writer

Job Category: Full-time/Exempt

Department/Division: Publications Department / Publishing and Product Development

Reports To: Executive Editor, Cancer Discovery

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Organization Profile:

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), with nearly 33,000 members, is the oldest and largest scientific organization in the world focused on every aspect of high-quality, innovative cancer research. The programs and services of the AACR foster the exchange of knowledge and new ideas among scientists dedicated to cancer research. The AACR publishes seven peer-reviewed scientific journals and a magazine; convenes topical scientific conferences and an annual meeting that draws more than 18,000 participants; offers workshops, fellowships and grants; raises public awareness of the progress in and cause for hope in cancer research; and advocates for strong federal research funding.

As part of its ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive information to the science community, the AACR has developed an important new journal, Cancer Discovery. This high-impact publication presents peer-reviewed articles describing major advances in research and clinical trials. Cancer Discovery is an essential information resource that offers original research articles, review articles, news, perspectives and commentaries, and Research Watch summaries of noteworthy journal articles. Topics span the spectrum of cancer research and medicine from the laboratory to the clinic to epidemiologic studies.

Job Summary:

The science writer will write and edit summaries for the Research Watch section and other featured content of Cancer Discovery. Research Watch summaries will be reported weekly through the online journal, later moving to online posting more frequently. Selected summaries will be published in and/or linked to the monthly print version. In addition to the Research Watch section, the successful candidate will work with the journal’s executive editors and journal news staff to develop special features. The science writer will report to the senior science writer.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Surveys select journals for potential content for coverage in Research Watch section
• Researches, writes, produces and edits Research Watch summaries

Qualifications and Competencies:

• Three years of experience writing scientific articles in the life sciences
• Demonstrated success delivering accurate, high-quality, timely stories with scientific content
• Ability to communicate directly with researchers and to translate technical scientific content to scientists working in other disciplines
• Understanding of organization, structure and ethics of electronic and print media, journalistic techniques, terminology and style, as they relate to scientific content
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• High level of motivation, initiative and commitment to researching and delivering scientific content

Education and Training:

• A bachelor’s degree in a life science, journalism or scientific writing

How to Apply:

This position offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package. If you are interested in being considered for this position, please send a letter of interest along with your most current curriculum vitae, salary history and writing samples to:

American Association for Cancer Research, Inc.
Human Resource Department
P.O. Box 40138
Philadelphia, PA 19106
e-mail: humanresources@aacr.org
fax: 215-440-1045

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