Science Writer/Editor

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as a scientific writer, editor and source for content planning for a wide variety of Communications Department efforts, particularly research-focused editorial.
• Write and edit scientific and research-related articles for inclusion in Inside the Institute, Paths of Progress, DFCI Online, dana-farber.org, Turning Point, and Insight blog, and other new channels.
• Write, ghost write, and edit materials for a wide array of non-publication projects, including letters, memos, scientific symposia, research seminars, organizational changes within DF/HCC, trends in research and care.
• Line edit and/or proofread stories and press releases.
• Maintain contact with assigned scientific, clinical and administrative staff in all areas of the Institute to stay current with breaking research and major events.
• Keep abreast of major advances and trends in the fields of cancer and AIDS research, treatment and prevention.
• Develop story ideas and press releases relating to research published in major scientific journals and other work in progress throughout the Institute.
• Work with web team to organize, develop, write, and edit content for assigned sections of the different Dana-Farber web sites.
• Work with Institute leadership to devise communications strategies for major organizational initiatives, such as implementation of scientific programs within DF/HCC or Dana-Farber/Partners Cancer Care.
• Develop multimedia story ideas and conduct scientist/clinician interviews for video accompaniment of print stories.
• Other duties as assigned. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to build relationships with senior-level scientists and clinical investigators;
• Exceptional ability to translate jargon-laden scientific language into clear, concise reader-friendly copy;
• Exceptional editing and proofreading skills and knowledge of grammar and spelling;
• Thorough understanding of basic biomedical science and clinical medicine;
• Ability to write thoughtfully and prolifically under tight deadline pressure, translating difficult science into lay language for news releases and articles;
• Perceptive and probing interview skills;
• Ability to relate technical material in a variety of fields—administration, human resources, facilities and finance—in a style that is easily comprehensible to general readers. Editorial vision to know what is informative, interesting and important;
• Ability to research and obtain scientific background material from sources ranging from libraries to the Internet;
• Skill at developing rapport with staff at all levels of the Institute and building a reliable network of contacts and sources;
• Capacity to edit and revise researchers’ copy, improving readability while ensuring accuracy;
• Versatility to modify writing style for different audiences and purposes;
• Familiarity with marketing and fundraising communications;
• Ability to negotiate and be diplomatic, especially during the text-clearing process which may involve working with several administrators with competing requests for edits;
• Understanding and ability to conduct audio and video interviews.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

PATIENT CONTACT:

Limited. Some stories will involve interviewing patients either over the phone or in person.

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field and/or a scientific discipline and a minimum of 5 years of professional writing, editing and publications experience, with at least 3 of those years dedicated to science writing and editing.