Roles and responsibilities

• Must be a US Citizen
• Long term ongoing contract position
• W2 with full benefits
• Some travel required

Location:

National Institute of Mental Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

Job Description:

• Research and develop a variety of materials as background information to be used in preparing written and oral communication documents, presentations and blogs for the Institute Director.
• Oversee the science writing team and ensure that all proposals for news items (press releases, science updates, etc.) are properly vetted, and that final products are accurate and appropriately tailored to the audience.
• Synthesize and translate complex scientific information into plain language.
• Write and edit science press releases and science updates for a variety of audiences (the public, the science press, the media and researchers).
• “Translate” complex scientific information for plain language publications – brochures, smaller items such as tri-folds and collateral event materials.
• Work with staff on publication layout and design.
• Perform content and copy editing.
• Write and edit for the web, web design and social media.
• Work with staff on special event planning and coordination (such as webinars).
• Respond to complex and sensitive public inquiries.
• Answer press calls and arrange interviews with subject matter experts; report on status of all press calls and interviews.
• Collaborate with staff on clearance process for all interviews.

DELIVERABLES:

• Work products and documents related to researching and developing a variety of materials as background information to be used in preparing communication documents, presentations and blogs; ensure that all proposals for news items are properly vetted, ac-curate and tailored to the audience.
• Work products and documents related to synthesizing and translating complex scientific information into plain language; write and edit science press releases and science updates for a variety of audiences.
• Work products and documents related to “translating” complex scientific information for plain language publications – brochures, smaller items such as trifolds and collateral event materials.
• Work products and documents related to publication layout and design, content and copy editing; write for the web, web design and social media.
• Work products and documents related to special event planning and coordination; re-spond to complex and sensitive public inquiries; answer press calls; report on status of all press calls and interviews to appropriate staff.

Requirements:

• Ph. D. in Neuroscience, Psychology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working in Neuroscience or A related field.
• Experience with synthesizing and translating complex scientific information into plain language.
• Experience with journalistic styles and concepts.
• Experience specifically in writing science press releases, science updates for a variety of audiences (the public, the science press, the media and researchers).
• Experience “translating” complex scientific information for plain language publications – brochures, smaller items such as tri-folds and collateral event materials.
• Experience in project management.
• Some experience with publication layout and design.
• Experience writing for the web and familiarity with web design.
• Experience in special event planning and coordination (such as webinars).
• Experience with social media.
• Experience answering complex and sensitive public inquiries.
• Experience in content and copy editing.
• Some experience with answering press calls.
• Strong communications skills, both oral and written.
• Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills.

Additional Info:

Job opening ID: 731
Posting title: Scientific Technical Writer
Number of positions: 1
Location: Bethesda
State: MD

Please click here to apply.