Medical/Technical Writing & Communications

Introductory resources

• What is Medical Writing/Communications? (17-min video).
• Four types of Medical Writing careers (4-min video).
• Key characteristics of Science & Medical Writer jobs (BU Vault).
• Key characteristics of Technical Writers & Editors (BU Vault).
• Breaking into Science Writing, Smith R. and Reynolds J., 2017, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment.

Venturing further in this career area

• Career Guide for New Medical Writers, key definitions, career prospects, medical writing career types, etc., European Medical Writers Association.
• Careers in medical writing, March 2019 Issue, European Medical Writers Association.
• Medical Writing and Regulatory Affairs: Exploring the two Branches, American Medical Writers Association.
• Medical Communicator’s Guide to Regulatory Writing, American Medical Writers Association.
• An Introduction to Clinical Evaluation Reports for Medical Writers, American Medical Writers Association.
• Biomed Badass, by Vicky Sherwood, PhD. A collection of blog articles, courses, and a newsletter to help you learn more about the medical writing profession.
• The Bold PhD, by Gertrude Nonterah, PhD. A collection of career resources for PhDs, and series of YouTube videos to support your transition into medical writing.

Learning by doing job-related tasks

Intersect Job Simulations have been designed by PhDs for PhDs. To make the most of them, please set up SMART Goals to perform each simulation in a reasonable timeline. When you have completed the task, fill out the Self-Reflection Sheet, which will help you reflect on what you enjoyed (or did not enjoy) about the simulation, and how it can help inform your career exploration efforts.

• Job simulation – Writing for a clinical audience.
• Job simulation – Writing an abstract on a short deadline.
• Job simulation – Writing for a lay audience.
• Consider attending a ComSciCon workshop. Multiple science writing and communication workshops are hosted across the US (apply in March/April to attend the ComSciCon-Flagship workshop in Boston/Cambridge in July, or apply in July to attend ComSciCon workshops in other US locations in the Fall).

Preparing your transition into this career area

• Connect with members of the following associations:
  • American Medical Writers Association.
  • European Medical Writers Association (In and around EMWA 2).
  • National Association of Science Writers (NASW).
    • NASW provides awards and fellowships to support career transitions into Science Writing and travel awards to attend their annual conference.
• Strategically expand your network:
  • Growing your network and having informational interviews with PhDs who have transitioned into careers of interest to you will enable you to learn more about the job’s daily responsibilities, hiring process, career progression, etc., and the sector as a whole.
  • Consider connecting with former speakers and members of SciWrite (names listed at the bottom of the page).
  • Look for and join relevant thematic groups on LinkedIn, online communities like this UK Medical Writing Online Community, etc.
  • Look for GMS Alumni who have transitioned into this career area.
  • The Social Scientist enables early-career researchers to connect with folks who have transitioned in various career areas – connect with mentors in outreach, or connect with mentors in communications and writing, or connect with industry mentors (scientists, founders, product managers, etc.).
• Stay up to ate on the latest trends in pharma: PharmiWeb – Global Pharma News.
• Learn more about ways to break into medical writing (free e-book by the Biomed Badass).
  • Analyze job descriptions to learn more about what companies are currently looking for.
  • Study company websites, follow them on social media and YouTube.
• Find First Medical Writer Jobs.