Senior Scientific Writer - Massey

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Mission

To improve the lives of all Virginians by delivering cutting-edge cancer care through patient-centered prevention and treatment; high-impact, innovative research; community input and engagement; and education and training of the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals.

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veteran’s period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!

The university and the region

VCU is a public research university unlike any other, dedicated to serving the needs of students and patients. Inclusion is our heartbeat and it drives us to tackle difficult challenges others can’t or won’t. We’re home to creativity, teaching, discovery and healing. Our location in the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia, means the nonstop energy of our city ignites our innovation and provides unlimited opportunities for our students.

About Virginia Commonwealth University

We are the university for Virginia. We know that the unique backgrounds and life experiences of the VCU community are what drive the university forward. Together, we’re forging a future that is built by us. Here, artists and engineers, doctors and designers come together to reimagine the human experience and tackle the problems of tomorrow.

VCU dates to 1838 with the formation of the Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College, whose mission was to educate physicians in central Virginia and which was later renamed Medical College of Virginia. In 1968, Richmond Professional Institute merged with the Medical College of Virginia to become what is now known as Virginia Commonwealth University.

Located in downtown Richmond, the state capital of Virginia, VCU enrolls more than 28,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate programs across its urban campuses: the downtown Monroe Park and MCV campuses in Richmond; the Rice Rivers Center in Charles City, Virginia; satellite locations in Fairfax, Virginia, and Abingdon, Virginia; and a campus in Doha, Qatar, for the School of the Arts.

Ignited by the energy of the city, we’re ready to lead industries — or disrupt them. We seek out the unexpected, the experimental, the never-been-tried. VCU is designated as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation, garnering more than $500 million in sponsored research from federal and other agencies in FY2024. The National Science Foundation ranked VCU among the top 50 public research universities in the country, and we are one of only 69 public universities nationwide to be designated by the Carnegie Foundation as “Community Engaged” with “Very High Research Activity.”

This research enterprise, and the influence of having one of the nation’s top-ranked public graduate arts schools, ensures students receive unique educational experiences that equip them with a creative mindset that sets them apart.

VCU’s contributions in talent, innovation and entrepreneurialism, regional stewardship and local culture shape the economic impact and overall quality of life in the region. VCU as a whole generates more than $9 billion in economic activity. It is the largest employer in Richmond with more than 26,000 employees at VCU and VCU Health, and it supports approximately 58,000 jobs in Virginia. In addition, Virginia classifies VCU with a Tier III status — the highest possible status for universities and colleges — allowing VCU more flexibility in managing its operations to implement best practices and streamline processes. To learn about VCU’s finances, visit about.finance.vcu.edu.

VCU’s mission, under the leadership of President Michael Rao, Ph.D., is to serve as one national urban public research institution dedicated to the success and well-being of our students, patients, faculty, staff and community through:

●       Real-world learning that furthers civic engagement, inquiry, discovery and innovation.

●       Research that expands the boundaries of new knowledge and creative expression and promotes translational applications to improve the quality of human life.

●       Interdisciplinary collaborations and community partnerships that advance innovation, enhance cultural and economic vitality, and solve society’s most complex challenges.

●       Health sciences that preserve and restore health for all people, seek the cause and cure of diseases through groundbreaking research and educate those who serve humanity.

Welcome to VCU. A world unlike any other.

Benefits At a Glance

•  Continuing education and professional development for undergraduate and graduate tuition in addition to mandatory fees (except the transition student fee) for a maximum of six credits per semester
•  28 University Leave Days, 11 State Holidays, and 2 Enhanced Community Service Leave Days
•  Medical, Dental and Vision Health Benefits to meet the needs of employees and their eligible family members from the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as optional FSA
•  Participation in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and other retirement saving options
•  Parental and Caregiver Leave, Short Term Disability (STD), Disability Insurance, Voluntary Long Term Care Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program
•  Professional development opportunities encouraged and offered for employees as part of annual career development, e.g. certifications, seminars, courses, annual conferences, mentorship, etc
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Job Title: Scientific Writer

Reports To: Director of Executive Communications

Job Summary:

The Senior Scientific Writer will provide high-level scientific and grant-writing support to the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Director and Senior Leadership with a research focus on translational cancer research, lung cancer, and cancer health equity. This position requires an individual with a strong background in cancer biology, clinical/translational research, and/or population sciences, as well as extensive experience in scientific writing, grant development, and manuscript preparation. Responsibilities include the development of scientific documents, including grant applications (e.g., new and competing applications, annual reports), study reports (e.g., scientific manuscripts, meeting abstracts, posters, slide sets), and related documents (e.g., internal reports, standard operating procedures, working guidelines).

The ideal candidate will hold an MD, PhD, or MD/PhD and possess a deep understanding of cancer research, including mechanistic and translational studies, clinical trials, and disparities in cancer care. The Senior Scientific Writer will work closely with the Cancer Center Director, Senior Leadership, Director of Executive Communications, and research teams to facilitate the preparation of high-impact publications, grant proposals, and strategic scientific communications.

This position is primarily remote and may require in-office days (Richmond, VA) on an as needed basis. 

Key Responsibilities:

Grant and Scientific Writing:

·        Lead the preparation, writing, and editing of grant proposals (NIH, NCI, DOD, foundation, and industry grants) in alignment with the research priorities of the Cancer Center Director and Senior Leadership.

·        Serve as a proposal strategist and content editor for NIH and other extramural, peer-reviewing agency-sponsored grant applications (e.g., new and competing renewal applications), notably for large multi-institutional, multi-project, and multi-investigator initiatives

·        Develop compelling manuscripts, review articles, book chapters, and conference abstracts for publication in high-impact journals.

·        Draft, edit, and submit annual reports and progress reports for federal and private funding agencies, ensuring compliance with funding guidelines.

·        Assist in crafting institutional reports, white papers, and position statements on cancer research and health equity initiatives.

·        Ensure that all documents are readable, clear, and consistent, conforming to any applicable style and regulatory requirements specified by the agency, journal, scientific society, or meeting sponsor.

·        Manage document control and versioning among one or more authors to maintain accuracy and consistency.

• Stay current with the latest scientific cancer research to inform ongoing and future projects, integrating new findings into the research strategy.
• Assist the Director of Executive Communications with researching and drafting cancer research-relevant content for publications, ensuring accuracy and relevance.
• Assist the Director of Executive Communications in preparing and editing research-related publications, including drafting sections, reviewing content, and ensuring clarity and coherence.
• Adhere to established style guidelines and consistently meet the internal and external deadlines for the submission of grants and publications
• Maintain and update biosketches.

Scientific Strategy & Communication:

·        Synthesize complex scientific findings into concise, impactful narratives for diverse audiences, including researchers, clinicians, funding agencies, and policymakers.

·        Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including cancer center leadership, members, staff, and community partners to refine research ideas; enhance the clarity and impact of proposals and manuscripts; and ensure the successful execution of research projects.

·        Stay current with the latest advancements in translational cancer research, lung cancer, and cancer health equity, incorporating new knowledge into writing projects.

·        Collaborate with the Director of Executive Communications to develop research-related presentations and communication materials for the Cancer Center Director for national and international conferences, board meetings, and institutional briefings.

·        Maintain expert knowledge of current applicable regulations, guidelines, policies, and instructions relating to clinical/translational and/or basic cancer research, grants management, and data reporting.

·        Provide comprehensive support in the design, implementation, and coordination of research communication to various stakeholders, including medical and scientific professionals, medical associations, government entities, and community organizations.

• Assist in the development and delivery of research education training materials and workshops, as needed.

Project and Editorial Management:

·        Coordinate and manage the grant-writing and manuscript publication processes, including timelines, team communications, and submission requirements.

·        Draft and provide critical review and feedback on research proposals and manuscripts.

·        Ensure all written materials align with journal/funding agency requirements and institutional policies.

·        Conduct literature reviews, staying up to date with the latest scientific cancer research, and assist Cancer Center Director and Senior Leadership in developing publications and research-related content for presentations.

• Assist the Director of Executive Communications with the creation of research-relevant talking points for presentations and public speaking engagements.

·        Coordinate and manage health equity research projects, including project planning, timeline management, and ensuring adherence to research protocols.

Data Collection and Analysis:

●       Oversee data collection processes, ensuring data integrity and compliance with ethical standards.

●       Utilize research-related software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, Tableau) to analyze and visualize data and contribute to presentations and publications.

●       Conduct qualitative and quantitative data analysis to support research objectives.

Minimum Hiring Standards

•         MD, PhD, or MD/PhD in a relevant biomedical field (e.g., hematology/oncology, cancer biology, molecular oncology, epidemiology, public health, or related disciplines) with 5-10 years of related scientific/health care communication experience.

·        Strong background in cancer research, with an emphasis on translational oncology, lung cancer, and/or cancer health equity.

·        Extensive experience in scientific writing and editing, with a proven track record of high-impact publications and successful grant applications.

·        Exceptional ability to translate complex scientific concepts into clear, compelling narratives.

·        Familiarity with funding mechanisms such as NIH (R01, P01, U01, P50, SPORE, etc.), DOD, and foundation grants.

·        Outstanding organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines; project management experience.

·        Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians.

·        Understanding of NIH grant compliance, IRB submissions, and regulatory requirements.

●       Demonstrated ability to write original content, edit, and proofread medical and scientific documents

●       Demonstrable experience with successful grant applications and scientific publication

●       High proficiency with Microsoft Word; proficient with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat

●       Ability to identify issues and generate solutions or request appropriate intervention by management

●       Ability to work independently and meet deadlines

●       Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, both oral and written

●       Extensive understanding of medical and scientific terminology, especially as it relates to biomedical basic and clinical research

●       Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, demanding environment and adapt to changing priorities without supervision

●       Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

●       Independent, creative, and detail-oriented, able to coordinate and manage multiple projects simultaneously, and enjoys working on a variety of research-related tasks

 Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications

·        Knowledge of biostatistics, clinical trials methodology, and health disparities research.

·        Experience in creating and managing large, multi-investigator grant applications (e.g., NIH P-series, U-series, SPORE).

About Richmond, Virginia

As the commonwealth’s capital, Richmond, Virginia, offers a vibrant mix of history, diverse culture and real-world opportunities. Distinct neighborhoods, cozy restaurants and cafes and quaint local markets give the city an intimate feel, but theaters, galleries, music festivals, sports attractions and a steady stream of annual events bring RVA — as locals call the region — to life. Established in 1780, its rich history can be seen in the architecture, the Capitol grounds and the cobblestone streets around the city. With the historic James River and 600 acres of parks bordering it, bike trails, wineries, breweries, a flourishing arts, entertainment and restaurant scene (Food and Wine called Richmond a “culinary powerhouse”) and affordable suburbs, this small city punches well above its weight in terms of attractions and buzz. In fact, Travel Leisure named Richmond the best place to live in Virginia in 2023 and Southern Living named Richmond one of the 20 best cities to live in the South in 2024.

Richmond’s location in the middle of the state allows for day or weekend trips to the beach, the Blue Ridge Mountains or Virginia’s many wineries. It’s within a two-hour drive of Washington, D.C., and a multitude of excellent institutions of higher education. The Richmond metropolitan area is also home to several Fortune 500 companies, a broad base of financial companies, hospitals and media firms, high-tech manufacturing companies and state and local government agencies. Entrepreneurs and artists put down roots in Richmond, and Thrillist named it one of the best U.S. cities for creatives in 2022.

Beyond Richmond, CNBC has named Virginia as the No. 1 state in the country to do business six times since the study began in 2007. It has accomplished this by bringing in billions in capital investment and thousands of new jobs; investing in education; expanding access to quality health care for all; making sure everyone has access to opportunity; and more. Business Facilities magazine named Virginia the 2024 State of the Year. Suffice to say, Virginia is full of growth and opportunity, making it the perfect location for a university determined to erase barriers and provide students with robust learning experiences that will make them unstoppable.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

Please note VCU is not able to provide ongoing visa sponsorship for this position.

Massey Cancer Center
Masseyhr@vcu.edu