Science Writer and Communications Officer

Job Title: Science Writer and Communications Officer, Front Line Genomics Salary: £30,000-£35,000, depending on experience How to Apply: Send a CV and covering letter to Richard Lumb, at richard@frontlinegenomics.com. Your application will not be processed unless we receive a CV and covering letter via email. Deadline: We are interviewing immediately, so ASAP. Role Summary: We are seeking an experienced science writer to join our friendly team. The successful candidate will be involved in science writing and communication across a number of different formats, in both short and long-form, taking the lead in researching, writing and securing contributors for scientific reports (5-6 per year), contributing to written content on our website, helping to manage our community, and supporting the marketing of products to our life sciences audience. Reports to: Richard Lumb, Founder & CEO Based at: The role is based remotely, with 1 day in London required each month. The Company: At Front Line Genomics we have a simple social mission: to deliver the benefits of genomics to patients faster. We were set up following the death of the CEO’s father to a rare form of cancer, and we have a deep desire to improve the lives of patients and the general public. Our team culture is extremely important to us. Our audience includes people working in healthcare organisations, academia/research and pharmaceutical companies. We support our audience to make better use of genomics, other omics and biodata. We also support technology companies, investors, government officials and patient organisations. We have four core products: 1. Website and related content. The Front Line Genomics website (www.frontlinegenomics.com). Our content includes news summaries, podcast-style interviews, blogs and resources. 2. Events: We organize two Festivals of Genomics & Biodata, in London (5,700+ attendees) and in Boston (2,500+ attendees) (https://festivalofgenomics.com/london/ and https://festivalofgenomics.com/boston/). 3. Digital products: These include a highly successful line of webinar series, reports and associated products. 4. A community: A newly launched digital community to support peer-to-peer exchange of ideas, information and intelligence. The opportunities for growth (career, earnings and experience) within our business are excellent. We have an impressive track-record and extremely ambitious, achievable plans. The Role/Purpose: The main elements of the role are as follows: Support the content strategy. You will align your content with our overall content strategy, helping to maintain the editorial calendar, and contribute new ideas, both for individual content pieces and other things related to the wider business. Content pieces take the form of blogs, features, interviews, news summaries and ideas we haven’t yet considered. Research and write reports. You will have the opportunity to produce intelligence reports from scratch. You will research directly with our intended audience and existing contacts, interviewing them, gathering information, generating intelligence, and working with report sponsors to create long-form resources for the genomics community. Report writing schedules are typically between 8 and 11 weeks long. Support management, content strategy and communications within our fledgling community. You will help to manage and develop the community by influencing and executing against a content/engagement strategy that enhances the experience of community members, as well as supporting the running of the community itself. Support the marketing of scientific-focused products, including reports, webinars, events and other projects. This involves a focus on scientific copywriting, and requires an ability to assimilate new concepts rapidly, and reflect this in written communications. Social media. You will use your content to authentically grow our social media following, writing and scheduling posts to improve the reach of our content and other products, and therefore the impact of our social mission. Newsletter. On occasion, you will contribute towards the writing and publication of our weekly newsletter, also contributing new ideas for how we should regularly communicate with our audience. Sourcing of stories and generation of new content ideas, in line with our content strategy and editorial calendar. Posting of content pieces onto our WordPress website, using built-in SEO tools where required, and optimizing for readability. Editing . You will edit/proof both your own work, and the work of others. You will provide constructive feedback to other members of the team. Candidate Profile Essential: Education: A first or 2.1 bachelor’s degree in a biological sciences subject from a good university. This is essential . A master’s or PhD in an area relevant to the role is a plus, as is a postgraduate qualification in science communication or similar. Experience: Ideally, 2+ years’ experience in a scientific communications or medical writing role. You will have spent much of that time writing and generating content ideas. We are ALSO open to PhD graduates who are considering a career change, but who also have a love of writing. Strong attention to detail. You spot typos and grammatical errors from a mile away. You have high standards of work and are open to constructive feedback. A LOVE of science. You are probably that person who regularly bores family and friends in the pub with news of exciting scientific breakthroughs. Science already plays a major role in your life. A LOVE of writing. You have a passion for writing and a love of language. Your spelling and grammar are exemplary, and you enjoy the editing process. You have the ability to write compellingly in short-form (news and features) and long-form (in depth blog posts and report chapters). Experience in the field of genomics or other omics. You’ve studied genomics or related subject areas as part of a degree. A willingness to speak directly with our audience. At times, this is a market-facing role where you will either be researching (in pre-scheduled conversations that you will arrange) with specific segments of our audience or interviewing them. You are the kind of person who loves talking to scientists in-person and online/over the phone. Creative skills. You enjoy coming up with new ideas, can think outside the box, and are not afraid to voice your ideas (both the ones you think are great and the ones you think are stupid (among which, our best ideas can often be found)). Independent and proactive. You must be a self-starter. You enjoy working as part of a team, but you never wait to be told what to do. You are a positive thinker, and constructive with your criticism, always seeking solutions for any problems you identify. Transparent. You are open with new ideas and suggestions, but also open when you are struggling, raising issues quickly and without fear of judgement. You proactively seek help or advice at the earliest opportunity. Desirable: Content management systems. Using publishing platforms such as WordPress, posting content and using simple SEO and analytics tools. Interview experience. Experience of planning for interviews, researching interviewees, and having fun, informal yet well-crafted conversations with scientists. Remote working experience. You’ve either had previous positive experiences of remote working, or you have a strong desire to be in a remote role. Other Relevant Information Holiday. 25 days holiday plus 8 public holidays per year. Your birthday is also gifted to you as an additional day of annual leave upon successful completion of your probationary period. Pension. Contributory group pension scheme upon three months of employment. Remote working with 1 day per month required in London. Flexible working. Work adjusted hours, either on occasion or permanently, upon agreement with your manager. Family-friendly policies including flexibility around working schedules (for example, to handle school runs), and – where possible – the opportunity to reduce working hours at certain times. Culture. We are a small, close-knit and friendly team, with a strong focus on team culture. More information about our culture will be shared with you during the recruitment process. Interview process and timescales. This position is available immediately. The interview process is (1) telephone screen to establish fit on both sides, (2) written task, (3) first interview (4) second interview/final questions, meet other members of the team, and potentially, an offer. The interview process should take no longer than 1-2 weeks.