Scientific Writer/Analyst

This Scientific Writer/Analyst position is responsible for conducting scientific literature searches, summarizing relevant data, preparing literature reviews, and working with the Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety and CIR staff to develop safety assessments of ingredients used in cosmetics and other personal care products in accordance with CIR procedures (https://www.cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/cir-procedures). The position entails reviewing and summarizing, in a concise manner: published and unpublished toxicology and toxicokinetics studies; exposure data; methods of manufacture; impurities data; and other scientific studies relevant to assessing the safety of ingredients and ingredient groups to be evaluated at quarterly public Expert Panel meetings. At these meetings, clear communication with the Panelists during their deliberations is of paramount importance to this position, as is the editing of the safety assessment reports, immediately following the meetings, based on the Expert Panel’s decisions and directions. Residence in the DC metro area.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions Statement(s)

• Undertakes the development of individual cosmetic ingredient safety assessments, handling at any one time 3-7 assessments in various stages of development.
• Searches literature and databases to identify published scientific articles and other publicly-available information that are relevant for the safety assessments of the ingredients and ingredients groups assigned.
• Reviews abstracts, selects which full versions of relevant studies to retrieve, and writes a comprehensive, accurate, clear, and concise summary of the collected literature. As available, analyzes and incorporates clear and concise summaries of unpublished data received.
• Attends all Expert Panel meetings (in Washington, DC) and engages in the review process. CIR staff are knowledgeable about their reports and able to interact with the Panel to identify data gaps, to respond to questions regarding available or needed data, and assist the Panel in developing language to express ideas under discussion. Maintains in written form all requests and/or changes required by the Expert Panel.
• Revises and edits each report in a timely way after each meeting, addressing all comments.
• Throughout the period of report development, continually monitors the published literature for new information. Maintains a well-organized file of all information collected during the safety assessment process.
• Represents CIR at quarterly professional meetings, and documents such meetings and other contacts.
• Other duties may be assigned as needed.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

• Assertiveness - Self-starter, able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and committee work simultaneously.
• Communication, Written - Strong writing and presentation skills, with the ability to analyze and condense complex information.
• Privacy - Ability to handle confidential or sensitive issues and/or materials and is expected to maintain privacy and confidentiality of documents pertaining to program matters.
• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions, taking ownership of work-products.
• Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Honesty / Integrity - Be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.
• Initiative - Ability to make decisions or take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal.
• Project Management - Ability to organize and direct a project to completion.
• Reliability - Dependable and consistent.
• Problem Solving - Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems.
• Time Management - Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines, typically managing multiple projects simultaneously.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education: Undergraduate degree in toxicology, chemistry, biology, or related scientific discipline, including 4 semesters of writing intensive coursework. Relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of writing intensive coursework.

Experience: Entry level; experience in scientific writing and literature review, and a working knowledge, and efficient use of, search strategies and tools, may be considered in lieu of writing intensive coursework.

Preferred: Documented, extremely strong technical writing skills, including publications/writing samples.

Computer Skills

MS Office, EndNote, Adobe, PubMed

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a non-smoking office setting, with occasional travel. Currently, telecommuting for up to 97% of her/his work schedule is standard. (The other 3% represents up to 4 in-person meetings per year of the Expert Panel in Washington, DC).