Science Writer

seeking a Science Writerto 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, 5represents 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