Scientific Content Specialist

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Scientific Content Specialist

🔹 Company: Cancer Research Institute, Inc.

🔹 Location: New York, NY

🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (2-3 days/week on-site)

🔹 Category: Scientific & Research

🔹 Date Posted: July 9, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)

🔹 Remote Status: On-site with occasional remote work

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Translating complex scientific concepts into engaging content for diverse audiences
• Collaborating with multimedia teams to create compelling stories
• Managing content calendars and juggling multiple projects
• Occasional travel for conferences and content creation opportunities

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in journalism or science communications, with a portfolio demonstrating the ability to explain complex topics clearly and engagingly.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Translate complex immuno-oncology concepts into clear, engaging content tailored to various audiences and platforms

✅ Create and edit written content, including feature stories, blog posts, video scripts, patient stories, press releases, and donor communications, with an eye towards SEO

✅ Collaborate with video, design, and digital teams to develop multimedia content (e.g., video, photography, infographics, social-first stories)

✅ Contribute to CRI’s blog, email series, and social content strategy

✅ Collaborate with scientists, clinicians, patients, and other subject matter experts to gather information and source stories, ensuring content accuracy and relevance

✅ Support content development for institutional reports, including the annual report and impact report

✅ Provide on-site and remote content coverage of key events, such as scientific conferences, patient summits, and CRI’s annual gala

✅ Help manage, maintain, and contribute to CRI’s editorial calendar across departments

✅ Occasionally ghostwrite or edit executive communications and scientific thought leadership

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong writing, editing, interviewing, and storytelling skills, as well as the ability to work effectively with various stakeholders.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Advanced degree in a science or communication-related field (MS, MPH, MA, etc.)

Experience: 4–6+ years of experience in journalism, science/health communications, or nonprofit storytelling

Required Skills:

• Excellent writing, editing, interviewing, and storytelling skills
• Ability to explain complex scientific topics to multiple audiences across platforms
• Strong collaboration skills and comfort working cross-functionally with communications, development, and program teams
• Strong attention to detail for ensuring scientific accuracy and quality
• Familiarity with the cancer research landscape or CRI’s mission and programs

Preferred Skills:

• Experience producing multimedia content (e.g., video, photography, podcasts, infographics)
• Bilingual in English and Spanish

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in visual or multimedia storytelling are strongly encouraged to apply.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 - $100,000 per year (estimated base salary range for roles in Burlingame, CA or New York City)

Benefits:

• 100% covered Health Insurance, Dental & Vision, Life Insurance, Long term & Short term disability
• 403b
• Paid Time off

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on factors such as location, role complexity, and experience.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Scientific Research & Healthcare

Company Size: Mid-size (100-500 employees)

Founded: The Cancer Research Institute was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in New York City.

Company Description:

• CRI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating cancer immunotherapy research and making it available to patients worldwide
• The organization supports innovative clinical trials, conducts research, and provides educational resources for patients and healthcare professionals
• CRI collaborates with leading academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies to advance the field of cancer immunotherapy

Company Specialties:

• Cancer immunotherapy research
• Clinical trials
• Educational resources for patients and healthcare professionals
• Collaboration with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies

Company Website: https://www.cancerresearch.org/

ASSUMPTION: CRI is a well-established organization with a strong reputation in the field of cancer research, particularly in the area of immunotherapy.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years of experience)

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Director of Communications and reports indirectly to the Chief Executive Officer

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2-3 days/week on-site in Lower Manhattan, with occasional remote work and travel)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to take on more responsibilities and advance within the communications department
• Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and collaborate with leading experts in the field of cancer immunotherapy
• possibility to transition to a full-time remote work arrangement after a successful onboarding period

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic and collaborative work environment.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (Lower Manhattan office with 2-3 days/week on-site)

Office Location(s): Lower Manhattan, New York, United States

Geographic Context:

• New York City offers a vibrant and diverse cultural scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and restaurants
• The Lower Manhattan neighborhood is home to many financial institutions and is conveniently located near Wall Street, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the East River waterfront
• The area offers easy access to public transportation, with multiple subway lines and bus routes nearby

Work Schedule: Standard full-time work hours (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET, with a one-hour lunch break), with flexibility for occasional remote work and travel

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, with opportunities for occasional travel to conferences and content creation opportunities.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• In-depth behavioral interview with the hiring manager and a member of the communications team
• Final interview with the Director of Communications and the Chief Executive Officer
• Background check and reference check

Key Assessment Areas:

• Writing and editing skills
• Ability to explain complex scientific concepts
• Collaboration and communication skills
• Cultural fit with the organization's mission and values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Include examples of your writing and multimedia work in your portfolio
• Be prepared to discuss your familiarity with the cancer research landscape and CRI’s mission and programs
• Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role

ATS Keywords: Scientific Content Specialist, Cancer Immunotherapy, Journalism, Health Communications, Nonprofit Storytelling, SEO, Multimedia Production, Collaboration, Attention to Detail, Cancer Research

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their skills and qualifications through a series of interviews and assessments.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
• Multimedia software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut Pro, Audacity)
• SEO tools (e.g., Google Analytics, SEMrush, Ahrefs)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in relevant software and tools is essential for success in this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Collaboration: We believe that working together and leveraging our collective expertise enables us to achieve our mission more effectively
• Excellence: We strive for excellence in all that we do, from our research and clinical trials to our communications and educational resources
• Innovation: We foster a culture of innovation, encouraging creativity and new ideas to drive our work forward
• Integrity: We uphold the highest ethical standards in all our interactions with patients, partners, and the public
• Empathy: We approach our work with empathy, understanding the impact of cancer on patients and their families, and striving to provide support and hope

Work Style:

• Collaborative: This role requires strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with various stakeholders
• Adaptable: The work environment may change, requiring flexibility and adaptability
• Detail-oriented: This role requires a strong attention to detail to ensure scientific accuracy and quality
• Creative: The role involves creating engaging content for diverse audiences and platforms

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do your personal values align with CRI’s mission and values?
• How do you approach working collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders?
• How do you ensure the accuracy and quality of scientific content in your work?
• How do you adapt to changes in the work environment or project scope?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should carefully consider their fit with CRI’s mission, values, and work style before applying for this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role may require working with sensitive patient information, which necessitates strict confidentiality and ethical considerations
• The hybrid work arrangement may present challenges in maintaining work-life balance for some individuals
• The role may involve occasional travel, which could disrupt personal schedules or family commitments
• The fast-paced and dynamic nature of the work environment may present challenges for those who prefer a more stable or predictable work setting

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should carefully consider these potential challenges and assess their ability to thrive in this work environment before applying for this role.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from other scientific content specialist positions in its focus on cancer immunotherapy and collaboration with leading experts in the field
• CRI’s nonprofit status and mission-driven approach set it apart from for-profit organizations in the industry
• This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic and collaborative work environment, unlike more hierarchical or siloed organizations

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should carefully consider the unique aspects of this role and assess their fit with CRI’s mission, values, and work environment before applying.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a multimedia campaign to raise awareness about a new clinical trial for a cutting-edge immunotherapy treatment
• Creating a series of patient stories to highlight the real-life impact of cancer immunotherapy and provide hope for those currently undergoing treatment
• Editing and publishing a special issue of CRI’s magazine focused on the latest advancements in cancer immunotherapy research

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and the impactful nature of the work in this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the communications department?
• How does CRI support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the most challenging aspects of working in a nonprofit organization focused on cancer research?
• How does CRI balance the need for scientific accuracy with the desire to create engaging and accessible content for diverse audiences?
• What opportunities are there for collaboration with other departments or external partners in this role?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview demonstrates your interest in the role and helps you better understand the work environment and company culture.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare a portfolio showcasing your writing and multimedia work, with an emphasis on pieces that demonstrate your ability to explain complex scientific concepts
• Be prepared to discuss your familiarity with the cancer research landscape and CRI’s mission and programs during your interviews
• Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and inquire about next steps in the application process

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.