Contractor, Technical Science Writer

Lila Sciences•Cambridge, MA

About The Position

Lila is seeking a talented and experienced Technical Science Writer / (Content Creator) to help shape how we explain our work to the world. This role is akin to a managing editor: you will translate complex scientific and technical work into rigorous, accessible content, and you will guide a small bench of contractor writers to deliver consistently high-quality storytelling. This is a mission-critical role because great science only changes the world when it is understood and trusted. Your work will help: Customers understand what Lila enables, how it works, and why it is reliable. Partners see where collaboration creates leverage and what “good” integration looks like. Government and public-sector partners assess relevance, safety, and societal value. Investors understand the technical moat, the platform strategy, and the long-term trajectory. Future employees understand the ambition, the rigor, and the problems they will help solve.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in life sciences, chemistry, materials science, journalism, or a related field. PhD candidates or holders are highly encouraged to apply.
Proven experience as a science writer or journalist, with a portfolio including work published in reputable outlets (for example: Nature, Wired, Chemical & Engineering News, or similar).
Strong ability to explain complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences without losing technical integrity.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing or leading a team of writers (including contractors) preferred.
Ability to create or manage creation of visual/multimedia content (graphics, photos, video) is a significant plus.

Responsibilities

Write and edit high-quality articles, explainers, technical overviews, case studies, and multimedia scripts that communicate complex scientific topics with accuracy and narrative strength.
Build content that connects what we are building to why it matters, with an emphasis on scientific integrity, measurable impact, and responsible communication.
Adapt messaging and format for distinct stakeholder needs: Customers: practical outcomes, workflows, reliability, and real constraints. Partners: shared roadmaps, joint innovation stories, and integration narratives. Government partners: public benefit, validation, safety, and responsible use. Investors: differentiation, defensibility, and platform trajectory. Candidates: mission, culture of rigor, and the kinds of problems they will own.
Create “layered” assets where a single core story can be repurposed into multiple depths (social post → blog → technical brief → talk track).
Assign projects to contractor writers, set clear briefs, and provide feedback to ensure quality, coherence, and consistent voice.
Establish lightweight editorial workflows (intake, review, fact-check, approvals) that keep content moving without compromising accuracy or confidentiality.
Partner closely with scientists, engineers, and leaders to gather insights, pressure-test claims, and capture the “why” behind the work.
Translate internal notes, talks, and research milestones into externally appropriate narratives.
Oversee development of visuals (figures, diagrams, infographics), photography, and short-form video concepts that enhance comprehension.
Work with design/creative partners to keep visuals consistent with Lila’s standards while making science legible and engaging.
Own editorial quality: accuracy, coherence, and clear sourcing. Maintain journalistic standards (including Associated Press style where applicable).
Ensure content reflects responsible communication: no hype, no overclaims, and clear framing of what is validated vs. exploratory.
Stay current on relevant breakthroughs across AI, drug discovery, chemistry, materials science, automation, and compute.
Proactively identify timely story angles that reinforce Lila’s mission and help audiences understand the broader landscape.