Science Writer

seeking a Science Writer to join our vibrant team located at Rockville, MD.

Overall Position Summary and Objectives

​The Policy, Planning and Evaluation (PPE) Branch facilitates responses to requests for review of research policies, agency plans, and federal regulations; develops related documents; and coordinates with the NIAID divisions for review and comment. PPE then works with the NIAID Office of the Director to develop an Institute-level response. The candidate will be responsible for translating scientific language and communicating technical ideas to a general audience in plain language, focusing on concepts related to infectious and immune-mediated diseases within NIAID's mission.

Work Details:

• Provide expert advise for general health and science communications activities that involve content creation for health communication and outreach projects, scientific and technical publication, promotional materials and online events. 1
• Provide expert advice and consultation to staff on issues related to scientific and programmatic written articles. 2
• Advise executives and program managers on written materials to be developed and present strategies for maximizing impact and performance toward organizational and programmatic goas and objectives. 3
• Critically review draft documents, synthesize comments, and incorporate appropriate comments from other reviewers into successive drafts to prepare final documents. 4
• Proofread all documents (drafts and final forms) for scientific and technical accuracy and completeness prior to submitting them for review and approval or acceptance. 5
• Prepares scientific and technical materials for publication.
• Research, write and edit in accordance with industry, academic and publication standards book manuscripts and chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles, conference and symposium proceedings and general print media articles.
• Research, write and edit scientific and technical information in a variety of formats, including articles, blog posts, factsheets, one-pagers, brochures, presentations and speeches, workshop summaries, reports, briefing materials, press releases, content for digital media in online and print format.
• Research, write and edit policy papers featuring recommendations based on original research findings and conclusions.
• Conducts advanced literature reviews and prepares reports, summaries and presentations on findings.
• Perform literature reviews of scientific and technical literature to identify methodologies, findings and conclusions of significance and prepare summaries and reports for distribution among research and medical staffs.
• Maintain credentials to standard databases, repositories, libraries, and search engines to ensure access to the most recent domestic and international publications, dissertations, research reports, etc.
• Prepare summaries, reports, dashboards and presentations on results of literature reviews to researchers and staffs.
• Creates and maintains databases of all research materials, literature reviews, and publications.
• Assist data managers collect, collate, organize and upload information to advanced data repositories, and integrate local databases with enterprise software and applications such as REPORTER and IMPAC II.
• Develop literature and publication repository using standard software applications and tools of research materials and conduct queries.
• Develops and edits official program management reports, official correspondence and audit reports.
• Coordinate with senior executives to prepare outline and collect and assemble into annual reports.
• Review and provide comment on the scientific and technical accuracy of a variety of reports, presentations and correspondence.
• Review and provide edits to a variety of external communication and informational materials to ensure scientific and technical accuracy and completeness.
• Provide scientific and technical writing expertise to assist researchers and staff prepare documentation.
• Assist researchers develop scientific and technical documentation, providing insights, guidance and recommendations to improve products.
• Design and maintain templates and detailed usage instructions for preparing common documentation, such as posters, presentations, reports, proposals, abstracts, etc.
• Finalizes documents and prepares materials for publication.
• Provides expert guidance, direction and support to executives in the development and distribution of scientific and technical written materials.
• Mentors, coaches and trains writers, editors and staff on scientific and technical writing and editing practices and procedures.
• Researchers, repackages and shares among research and operational staff best practices, tips, and practices for improving the quality and consistency of scientific and technical writing.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 represents priority rankings, where 1 is highest priority and 5 is lowest priority of those ranked

Minimum Education

Master's

Additional Qualifications:

Field of Study

• Microbiology
• Miscellaneous Biology

Software

• Microsoft Office

Skills

• Experience in 508c compliance and federally mandated accessibility requirements
• Demonstrated experience preparing scientific reports
• Proficiency in proofreading and editing. Experience in organizing information and gathering information related to the development of reports, briefings, and media outreach.
• Strong communications skills, both oral and written
• Experience writing for public, media, and health professional audiences
• Science background, including an understanding of technical scientific terms and concepts related to infectious and immune-mediated diseases, microbiology and/or immunology, communicating technical ideas to a general audience, and translating scientific language into plain language

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Salary: $51.00 - $57.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Rockville, MD: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: On the road

Salary : $51 - $57