At a Glance
- Tasks: Craft engaging science stories and promote groundbreaking research through various media channels.
- Company: Join the Wellcome Sanger Institute, a leader in genomic research and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and a supportive culture focused on wellbeing.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on human health by sharing life-changing scientific discoveries.
- Qualifications: Experience in science writing and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges. Are you a creative and versatile Science Writer looking for a chance to make a real impact? Are you able to craft a story into a feature, and distil it down to a social media post?
We are looking for a talented writer to join the Communications Team at the Wellcome Sanger Institute on a Permanent Contract and be part of an organisation at the forefront of genomic research and innovation.
About the Role:
As a Senior Science Writer, you will create engaging content and lead on strategic planning for the Sanger Institute's blog. You will work across diverse areas of science – from human genetics to cancer, and across the tree of life. Alongside this, you will create social media posts to promote content and the Institute’s work. In addition, you'll have the opportunity to work on long-form feature articles, feature pitches for journalists, publications, reports, website and intranet content, all of which play a crucial role in disseminating the Institute's world-leading research.
Your primary responsibility will be to find and create compelling content about our pioneering science, innovative technologies, and the remarkable people driving progress at the Sanger Institute. Through your work, you'll contribute to our recruitment efforts, cater to stakeholder communication needs, support research strategies, and empower our researchers to share their discoveries with the wider public.
In this role, building and maintaining strong relationships will be key. You'll forge meaningful connections both within the Sanger Institute and externally with collaborators. You will work closely with members of the Communications Team to find, develop and write content for Sanger Institute channels. Your work will not only promote the cutting-edge science and people behind it but also reach diverse audiences, including researchers, collaborators, partners, funders, and the wider public. By showcasing the research that takes place at the Sanger Institute, you will contribute to its mission of advancing understanding of biology and improving health.
About you:
With experience in science writing, you will enjoy working to find and promote stories about people, data, science and technology. You will lead on strategic planning, creation and publishing of accurate and engaging science writing and content for a wide audience across all available channels. In addition to strong communication skills, you will have a creative approach and are open to new ideas. You will have the ability to adapt your style depending on the intended audience.
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Experience of writing clear, accurate scientific communications
- Scientific degree or demonstrable equivalent understanding of biology
- Demonstrable ability to write blogs, media releases and social media content, and to write for the web
- Experience of using content management systems to build and publish content
- Excellent communication ability including written and oral skills
- Demonstrable ability to influence and negotiate with managers at all levels in an organisation
- Demonstrable ability to coordinate with external and internal contractors for delivery of agreed services/goods
- Strong information gathering and problem solving skills
- Able to manage multiple concurrent projects and work under pressure, and manage a high-volume workload with conflicting priorities
About the Team:
The Communications Team as a whole has a wide range of responsibilities. They manage media relations at the Sanger Institute, which entails writing and disseminating press releases and reactive statements, establishing connections with journalists, and facilitating media visits. Additionally, the team curates and manages content for the Sanger Institute's website, blog and publications. Beyond external communications, the team also nurtures internal connectivity. They oversee the intranet and other internal channels, ensuring information flow within the Institute's vibrant community.
Other information:
Although this is an office-based role, we have adopted a hybrid working pattern with at least two days per week in the office, to allow for both on-Campus working and a level of home-based flexibility.
Application Process:
Please apply with your CV and a brief Covering letter outlining how you meet the skills set out above, why you want to apply to this role at Sanger Institute and what value/experience you can bring.
Salary per annum: In the region of £45,000
Communication job family: Grade 2 Role Profile
Contract type: Permanent, full-time
Closing date: 13th September 2026
Interviews: Anticipated to take place week commencing 21st Sept, on Campus
Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:
We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks: LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability, Gender Equity and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others. We believe people do their best work when they can be their authentic selves. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.
Our Benefits:
We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute. Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.
Senior Science Writer employer: Sanger Institute
At Wellcome Sanger Institute, we are dedicated to improving human health and advancing scientific research in a supportive and mission-driven environment. As an Alliance Manager, you will benefit from a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance while engaging in meaningful collaborations with industry partners. Our commitment to diversity, employee wellbeing, and professional growth ensures that you can thrive and make a significant impact in the field of life sciences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Science Writer
✨Get Involved in Local Journalism
Join local journalism groups or community events to meet industry folks and make connections. Try volunteering for community newspapers or online platforms – it's a great way to get your foot in the door and show your commitment to the craft.
✨Showcase Your Work Online
Create a personal website or a blog to showcase your best articles, videos, or multimedia projects. This not only highlights your skills but also demonstrates your passion for journalism and helps establish your personal brand in the media landscape.
✨Stay Updated on the Industry Trends
Follow industry leaders on social media and stay updated on the latest trends in journalism. Engage with them by sharing your thoughts or asking questions – you never know when an informative tweet might catch the eye of a recruiter or journalist at Sanger Institute!
✨Explore Internships for Full-Time Opportunities
Don’t shy away from internships, even if you’re looking for full-time roles. Many journalism companies, like Sanger Institute, often hire from their intern pool, so using these as stepping stones can really pay off. Keep an eye on their career page for any openings!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Science Writer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Writing Skills:In journalism and media, your ability to write well is essential, so make sure your CV and cover letter reflect that. Include diverse writing samples, whether they’re articles, blog posts, or reports, that showcase your style and versatility. We want to see your voice and ability to engage an audience from the get-go!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you've interned at a media outlet or contributed to any publications—whether student-run or professional—don't keep it a secret! We love seeing real-world experience, so clearly detail your responsibilities and achievements. Quantify your impact where possible, like mentioning audience growth or story reach.
Tailor Your Application for Sanger Institute:When applying for the Senior Science Writer role at Sanger Institute, really dig into what makes their content stand out. Reference their tone, style, or any recent articles that resonated with you in your cover letter. This shows we you’re not just sending out generic applications—you’re genuinely interested in what we do!
Prepare for a Portfolio Spotlight:Since you're applying for a full-time role, you're likely expected to have a portfolio ready to go. Make sure to curate a selection of your best work that aligns with what Sanger Institute produces. Provide a link to your online portfolio in your CV and be prepared to discuss your favourite pieces in interviews—this is your chance to shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanger Institute
✨Show Off Your Writing Skills
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best writing samples. This is crucial in journalism as hiring managers want to see your voice and style. Make sure to include a variety of pieces, like news articles, features, and opinion pieces, showing your versatility.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
During the interview, be ready to discuss how you approach storytelling. You might be asked to outline a story you reported on, your process for gathering information, and how you engage your audience. Practice telling a couple of your best stories concisely and compellingly.
✨Know the Current Media Landscape
Be prepared to discuss industry trends and how they affect journalism today. Familiarise yourself with key developments in media, and have opinions ready for discussions about digital versus traditional platforms, as well as ethical considerations in reporting.
✨Convey Your Passion and Drive
As you’re applying for a full-time role, they’ll want to know about your long-term commitment to journalism. Share your aspirations for future projects, any internships or freelance work, and how you see yourself growing within Sanger Institute. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but a career in journalism.
