Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

The senior medical sciences writer is a captivating storyteller and an expert communicator who possesses an exceptional ability to translate the latest research and medical advances at WashU Medicine into compelling language geared to stakeholder audiences, including the media and the general public, and in support of the medical school’s strategic priorities and initiatives. The science writer possesses a sophisticated knowledge of science and medicine and is responsible for writing engaging, lay-language press releases and news stories to publicize WashU Medicine’s impact and innovations in patient care, research, medical education, community outreach and commercialization. The science writer also must have feature-writing skills to craft stories about the many people who make WashU Medicine the inspiring institution it is.

The writer must build strong relationships and work closely with WashU Medicine leadership, faculty physicians and researchers, and department-level communications and marketing partners to proactively identify, write and promote stories that enhance the brand and reputation of WashU Medicine and that support University Marketing & Communications and University Advancement. The writer should have professional experience in science and medical writing, be an attentive consumer of science and medical news, and be a creative, strategic thinker who thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Proactively interview medical school leadership, faculty physicians and researchers, trainees, students and staff members and write press releases, news stories and feature articles for general audiences, including the public and reporters at international, national and regional news outlets, wire services and online media. Press releases are based largely on research published in major science and medical journals, and the school’s strategic priorities and initiatives. Writer also will produce mission-driven stories for publications including Washington magazine and Outlook magazine.
• Develop and nurture relationships with WashU Medicine leadership, faculty physicians and researchers, and department-level communications partners for the purpose of identifying and writing stories that highlight the school’s strategic initiatives, clinical leadership and innovations, and staying informed on WashU Medicine’s scientific and medical discoveries, advances, new treatments and technologies.
• Read scientific literature with fluency and evaluate in-press journal articles by faculty to assess newsworthiness for news media and the general public, and keep abreast of news and trends in science and medicine.
• Partner with the office’s marketing team to tell stories via other channels, such as video, graphics, photography, animation or social media, that aid in WashU Medicine’s marketing and branding efforts. Work closely with department marketing partners to help plan, produce and fact check communications materials.
• Collaborate with the media relations team to help identify stories and faculty experts in subject matters of interest to the media and the public. 

Applicant Special Instructions

• Please submit a resume, cover letter and five examples of published science and/or medical writing such as press releases and/or feature stories at the time of application.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment

• Ability to travel to various on- and off-campus locations

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at a desk or table

• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement 

Equipment

• Office equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Professional Writing In Science And/Or Medicine For Media Or Public Relations (7 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in