Scientific Writer
Portland, TX - USA
Job Summary
Department Overview
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.
Function/Duties of Position
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 programs 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 programs 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 programs academic momentum.
Scientific Writer will
1. 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.
2. Proactively monitor federal foundation and industry funding opportunities relevant to our programs research priorities.
3. The writer would track deadlines eligibility requirements and emerging funding announcements providing timely alerts to investigators and assisting with the coordination of application components.
4. Maintain and update the programs 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.
5. Support internal communications by developing periodic newsletters and updates that showcase ongoing research clinical innovations new grants and publications and educational initiatives.
Philanthropic & Development Writing
1. Develop compelling content for philanthropic proposals donor communications and impact reports
2. Partner with development and foundation teams to align messaging with donor priorities
3. Translate research and clinical initiatives into accessible donor-facing language
Website & Digital Content
1. Write and edit content for websites landing pages and digital platforms
2. Ensure consistency in tone branding and messaging across platforms
3. Collaborate with marketing communications and web teams to optimize content clarity and usability
Scientific Writer - additional responsibilities:
1. Independently manages workload within service level understanding timelines and job description expectations.
2. Develops and maintains work instructions tools/materials and documentation for this position and continuously updates as appropriate.
3. Contributes to the development of Operating Procedures (SOP) related to the position.
4. Collaborates on development of both internal and external guidance documents policies and practices to improve compliance by Investigators and research teams.
5. Interacts with relevant outside agencies (as necessary) to support goals and objectives and to promote an environment of knowledge sharing and team effectiveness.
6. Participates as a member on intra and inter-departmental committees as requested.
7. Collaborates and contributes to the success of the Endocrinology Diabetes and Clinical Nutritions 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.
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.
Required Qualifications
Doctorate degree
OR
Masters degree in relevant field and 5 years of relevant experience
OR
Bachelors degree in relevant field and 9 years of relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications
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
Why apply to OHSU
In addition to caring for patients we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portlands largest employer we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.
All are welcome.
OHSU welcomes people of all ages ethnicities genders national origins religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply.
To request reasonable accommodation contact
About Company
OHSU treats the most complex health needs in the region, makes discoveries that save lives and educates next-generation health professionals.