📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Scientific Writer - Massey
🔹 Company: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
🔹 Location: Richmond, Virginia, United States
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (Remote with occasional in-office days)
🔹 Category: Healthcare / Medical
🔹 Date Posted: April 18, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Primarily remote with occasional in-office days
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Providing high-level scientific and grant-writing support to the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Director and Senior Leadership
- Developing scientific documents, grant applications, study reports, and related documents
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to refine research ideas, enhance proposal clarity, and ensure project success
- Staying current with the latest scientific cancer research and incorporating new findings into writing projects
- Managing grant-writing and manuscript publication processes, including timelines, team communications, and submission requirements
- Drafting and providing critical review and feedback on research proposals and manuscripts
- Ensuring all written materials align with journal/funding agency requirements and institutional policies
- Coordinating and managing health equity research projects, including project planning, timeline management, and adherence to research protocols
📋 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.
📈 Required Qualifications
Education:
- MD, PhD, or MD/PhD in a relevant biomedical field (e.g., hematology/oncology, cancer biology, molecular oncology, epidemiology, public health, or related disciplines)
Experience:
- 5-10 years of related scientific/health care communication experience, with a strong background in cancer research, an emphasis on translational oncology, lung cancer, and/or cancer health equity, and extensive experience in scientific writing and grant development.
Required Skills:
- 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
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)
- 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
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $81,400 (This is the provided salary range, but it may not reflect the estimated salary range based on role, experience level, and location.)
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Health Benefits: 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
- Paid Annual Leave: 28 University Leave Days, 11+ State Holidays, and 2 Enhanced Community Service Leave Days
- Retirement Planning: Participation in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and other retirement saving options
- Savings Options: Tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs
- Employee Discounts: Participation in various employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement
- Working Hours: 40 hours per week with flexibility for remote work and occasional in-office days
📌 Applicant Insights
Company Context:
- Industry: Non-profit Organizations
- Company Size: 201-500 employees
- Founded: 1971
- Headquarters: Richmond, Virginia
- Specialties: cancer care, research, education, and clinical trials
- Employees: 371
- Followers: 4,377
- Slogan: Imagine a future without cancer
- Website:
Role Analysis:
- Career Level: Mid-career
- Reporting Structure: Reports to the Director of Executive Communications
- Work Arrangement: Primarily remote with occasional in-office days (Richmond, VA) as needed
- Growth Opportunities: Potential for career advancement within the Massey Cancer Center and VCU
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (On-site and remote work arrangement)
Office Location(s): 401 College St, Richmond, Virginia 23298, US
Geographic Context:
- Richmond, Virginia, offers a vibrant mix of history, diverse culture, and real-world opportunities
- The city is known for its distinct neighborhoods, cozy restaurants and cafes, quaint local markets, theaters, galleries, music festivals, sports attractions, and annual events
- With the historic James River and 600 acres of parks bordering it, bike trails, wineries, breweries, a flourishing arts, entertainment, and restaurant scene, Richmond is an attractive place to live and work
Work Schedule: The work schedule is primarily remote with occasional in-office days as needed.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
1. Submit your application through the provided link
2. [Concrete preparation steps related to resume customization, cover letter, portfolio/examples, and follow-up timeline]
Key Assessment Areas:
1. Proven ability to write original content, edit, and proofread medical and scientific documents
2. Demonstrated experience with successful grant applications and scientific publication
3. High proficiency with Microsoft Word; proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat
4. Ability to identify issues and generate solutions or request appropriate intervention by management
5. Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
6. Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, both oral and written
7. Extensive understanding of medical and scientific terminology, especially as it relates to biomedical basic and clinical research
8. Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, demanding environment and adapt to changing priorities without supervision
9. Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU
Application Tips:
1. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this specific role
2. Prepare for interview questions related to your scientific writing and grant development experience, as well as your ability to work in a fast-paced, demanding environment
3. Familiarize yourself with the Massey Cancer Center's mission, research focus, and recent publications to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its goals
ATS Keywords: (Strategically include these keywords in your resume to improve visibility for this role)
1. Scientific Writing
2. Grant Development
3. Cancer Research
4. Translational Oncology
5. Lung Cancer
6. Cancer Health Equity
7. Project Management
8. Data Analysis
9. Editing
10. Medical Writing
11. Clinical Trials
12. Biostatistics
13. Manuscript Preparation
14. Health Disparities Research
15. Cancer Biology
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
1. Microsoft Word
2. Microsoft Excel
3. Microsoft PowerPoint
4. Adobe Acrobat
5. SPSS
6. SAS
7. R
8. Tableau
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
1. Integrity
2. Collaboration
3. Accountability
4. Diversity
5. Excellence
Work Style:
1. The Massey Cancer Center values a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative work environment
2. Employees are expected to be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
3. The center fosters a culture of continuous learning, professional development, and growth opportunities
Self-Assessment Questions:
1. How do your personal values align with the Massey Cancer Center's mission and values?
2. Describe a time when you had to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines. How did you prioritize your tasks and ensure successful completion?
3. Can you provide an example of a complex scientific concept you've translated into clear, engaging language for a non-expert audience?
4. How do you approach working in a diverse, inclusive environment, and what steps have you taken to foster an inclusive culture in your previous roles?
5. Describe your experience with grant applications and scientific publications. How have you ensured the success of these projects, and what challenges have you faced along the way?
📝 Similar Roles Comparison
1. This role differs from related positions in its focus on cancer research, lung cancer, and cancer health equity, as well as the requirement for extensive scientific writing and grant development experience
2. The role may involve more frequent collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and a greater emphasis on project management and data analysis skills
3. Compared to similar roles in other organizations, this position offers the opportunity to work in a comprehensive cancer center with a strong research focus and a commitment to health equity initiatives
📝 Sample Projects
1. Developing a grant application for a multi-institutional, multi-project initiative focused on lung cancer research
2. Creating a manuscript outlining the latest findings in cancer health equity research for publication in a high-impact journal
3. Managing the grant-writing and publication process for a large, multi-investigator grant application, ensuring adherence to funding guidelines and institutional policies
📈 Key Questions to Ask During Interview
1. What are the most pressing research priorities for the Massey Cancer Center, and how does this role contribute to addressing them?
2. Can you describe the team I'll be working with, and how does this role fit into the broader organizational structure?
3. What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the Massey Cancer Center and VCU?
4. How does the Massey Cancer Center support work-life balance for its employees?
5. What are the biggest challenges facing the Massey Cancer Center, and how can this role help address them?
📝 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
1. Submit your application through the provided link:
2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this specific role
3. Prepare for interview questions related to your scientific writing and grant development experience, as well as your ability to work in a fast-paced, demanding environment
4. Familiarize yourself with the Massey Cancer Center's mission, research focus, and recent publications to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its goals
5. Follow the provided timeline for application submission and any additional follow-up steps
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
