Scientific Writer

Oregon Health & Science University•Portland, OR

About The Position

The Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition and the Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center is engaged in cutting edge research and provides expert diagnosis and care to individuals with diabetes, obesity and other endocrine disorders. The research programs at the Diabetes Center span all areas of diabetes and complications, obesity, and metabolic disease. Our educational mission includes teaching on many levels, including but not limited to our fellowship program Endocrinology and Diabetes. To sustain and expand the academic productivity and visibility of the program, dedicated support from a medical writer with expertise in scientific communications is essential. This role would provide structured assistance across several critical domains that underpin successful academic programs, including manuscript and grant development, research dissemination, and strategic communication. The medical writer would support faculty in the preparation, editing, and formatting of scientific manuscripts and grant submissions. This includes ensuring clarity, scientific rigor, and alignment with journal and funding agency requirements, as well as coordinating references, figures, formatting, and submission processes. Such support improves efficiency for investigators, reduces administrative burden, and increases the competitiveness and quality of submissions. The position will also proactively monitor federal, foundation, and industry funding opportunities relevant to our program’s research priorities. The writer would track deadlines, eligibility requirements, and emerging funding announcements, providing timely alerts to investigators and assisting with the coordination of application components. This function helps ensure that opportunities are not missed and supports strategic positioning for competitive funding. The writer will contribute to maintaining and updating the program’s external-facing digital presence. This includes developing and refreshing website content to highlight new research findings, clinical initiatives, faculty achievements, educational programs, and collaborative opportunities. A well-maintained website serves as a critical platform for recruitment, partnership development, and public engagement. The medical writer would support broader dissemination of research discoveries and program achievements through accessible communications tailored to diverse audiences. This includes drafting press releases associated with major scientific publications or breakthroughs, helping translate complex findings into clear language suitable for media, donors, community partners, and institutional leadership. The role would support internal communications by developing periodic newsletters and updates that showcase ongoing research, clinical innovations, new grants and publications, and educational initiatives. These communications help strengthen engagement across faculty, trainees, collaborators, and stakeholders while reinforcing the program’s academic momentum.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of clinical and/or translational research in diabetes and cardio-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKM)
Strong knowledge of grants mechanisms, including foundations that fund diabetes, CKM and related complications
Strong knowledge of reporting functionality and interpretation, i.e. definition, creation, validation and management
Excellent communication skills; ability to express and document ideas clearly and concisely in written communications appropriate to the audience and the project.
Must be proficient with computers running Windows and PC applications (e.g. MS Word, Oracle, Access, Excel and PowerPoint).
Detail oriented while still seeing the “big picture”. Able to champion personal convictions while maintaining the ability to listen, comprehend, and adjust, when required, to other points of view.
Demonstrated ability to ensure and deliver a customer service orientation that translates into timely and reliable guidance / service to PIs and staff. Adopts a solution-oriented approach to issues.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team; capable of establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a range of individuals from a variety of departments, institutions and organizations; ability to lead a group, serve as a mentor and/or facilitator, and create a positive work environment.
Excellent record of time management and setting appropriate priorities. Demonstrated ability to manage QA plan and execute projects, organize and track data/metrics, collaborate with domain leadership and OHSU leadership and meet agreed upon deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to solve problems, think critically and creatively and provide Leadership and flexibility through a consultative role in a changing/evolving work environment.
Doctorate degree OR Master’s degree in relevant field and 5 years of relevant experience OR Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and 9 years of relevant experience

Nice To Haves

Doctorate / Masters degree; and/or holds a Medical Writers Certification (MWC) or other medical communications certification
Experience working in diabetes field and diabetes clinical trials
Medical or Scientific (translational or biomedical) writing experience.
Experience with regulatory writing for FDA regulated products and/or submissions
Demonstrated knowledge or experience with the items on left.
Medical terminology.
Experience conducting thorough background research and/or literature evaluations.
High level of accuracy, organization and prioritizing skills is preferred.
MWC or other medical communications certifications or certificates

Responsibilities

Support in the preparation, editing, and formatting of scientific manuscripts and grant submissions. This includes ensuring clarity, scientific rigor, and alignment with journal and funding agency requirements, as well as coordinating references, figures, formatting, and submission processes.
Proactively monitor federal, foundation, and industry funding opportunities relevant to our program’s research priorities.
The writer would track deadlines, eligibility requirements, and emerging funding announcements, providing timely alerts to investigators and assisting with the coordination of application components.
Maintain and update the program’s external-facing digital presence. This includes developing and refreshing website content to highlight new research findings, clinical initiatives, faculty achievements, educational programs, and collaborative opportunities.
Support internal communications by developing periodic newsletters and updates that showcase ongoing research, clinical innovations, new grants and publications, and educational initiatives.
Develop compelling content for philanthropic proposals, donor communications, and impact reports
Partner with development and foundation teams to align messaging with donor priorities
Translate research and clinical initiatives into accessible, donor-facing language
Write and edit content for websites, landing pages, and digital platforms
Ensure consistency in tone, branding, and messaging across platforms
Collaborate with marketing, communications, and web teams to optimize content clarity and usability
Independently manages workload within service level understanding timelines and job description expectations.
Develops and maintains work instructions, tools/materials, and documentation for this position and continuously updates as appropriate.
Contributes to the development of Operating Procedures (SOP) related to the position.
Collaborates on development of both internal and external guidance documents, policies, and practices to improve compliance by Investigators and research teams.
Interacts with relevant outside agencies (as necessary) to support goals and objectives and to promote an environment of knowledge sharing and team effectiveness.
Participates as a member on intra and inter-departmental committees, as requested.
Collaborates and contributes to the success of the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition’s Clinical Research Strategic Plan, as appropriate.
Willingness to assume responsibility for tasks that may be outside of the formal job description, including those perceived as belonging to “lower pay grades” to get the job done.
Complete other duties as assigned to fulfill the mission.