Science & Technical Writer

Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre (GSC): Today’s Research. Tomorrow’s Medicine.

The GSC is a department of the BC Cancer Research Institute and a high-throughput genome sequencing facility. We are leaders in genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics in pursuit of novel treatment strategies for cancers and other diseases.

Among the world’s first genome centres to be established within a cancer clinic, for more than two decades our scientists and innovators have been designing and deploying cutting-edge technologies to benefit health and advance clinical research.

Among the GSC’s most significant accomplishments are the first publication to demonstrate the use of whole-genome sequencing to inform cancer treatment planning, the first published sequence of the SARS coronavirus genome and major contributions to the first physical map of the human genome as part of the Human Genome Project.

By joining the GSC you will become part of an exceptional and diverse team of scientists, clinicians, experts and professionals operating at the leading edge of clinical research. We look for people who share our core values—science, timeliness, respect—to join us on our mission to use genome science for the betterment of health and society.

Summary

Job Reference No: RPC2-R00026-2021-07-21

Are you a scientist with a penchant for good writing, excellent written English language skills, a meticulous eye for detail and a desire to mentor others?

Do you have a thorough understanding of the peer-review process, a proficiency to shepherd manuscripts from drafts through to submission and a desire facilitate others’ research?

Do you enjoy reading and summarizing scientific literature, generating systematic reviews and other scientific communications products accessible to a variety of audiences?

The GSC’s Knowledge Translation team is hiring a Science and Technical Writer. Reporting to the Head of Knowledge Translation, the Science and Technical Writer (STW) works in collaboration with Principal Investigators, Group Leaders, Senior Scientists, trainees, students and other scientific staff to develop, write, edit, design, coordinate, prepare, publish, review and track scientific proposals, grant applications, papers, plain language summaries, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, background and technical documents, and communications and knowledge translation materials. The STW also reviews and evaluates scientific and technical writing and publication methods and makes recommendations to improve process efficiency based on current best practices. The STW also orients staff to good writing and publication procedures, coordinates contributions among authors, project manages the submission process and provides mentorship to students and trainees in the best practices of good scientific writing. This position requires critical thinking, independent judgment and initiative, strong scientific and technical writing and communication skills in contribution to the GSC’s research and the work of its multiple collaborators and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to the development, writing, editing and submission of primary scientific publications and proposals, as well as abstracts, presentations, posters and other written and communications materials in collaboration with investigators, scientists, researchers, external stakeholders, trainees, students and project managers.
• Identifies opportunities for and leads the research, review and writing of systematic reviews, meta-analyses, research and plain language summaries related to the GSC’s scientific works and those of its collaborators.
• Identifies opportunities for and contributes to the development of knowledge translation materials to support various audiences and stakeholders, including scientists, researchers, clinicians, patients, policy makers, the public and others.
• Designs or contributes to figures and other visual materials; provides editorial review and feedback on scientific and technical illustrations, figures and visualizations, working with authors, trainees, collaborators and reviewers.
• Monitors status and progress for active writing activities to ensure quality and timeliness, providing information and progress reports for and with the Head of Knowledge Translation (or designate) for project, grant, collaborator and Institute reporting.
• Establishes procedures for and actively gathers metrics to ensure and demonstrate that publications and proposal text is of high quality and completed in a timely manner.
• Provides advice throughout all levels of the GSC and on multiple projects and programs about publication and funding opportunities, systematic research reviews, meta-analyses, writing tools, knowledge translation products and current best practices for scientific publication.
• Participates in initiatives and opportunities in research writing including methodology, design, planning, implementation, integration, evaluation and ongoing monitoring.
• Identifies, problem solves and works to remove barriers to successful publication, review summary and proposal completions, with emphasis on resolving issues and facilitating collaborative relationships on assigned projects across departments, collaborators and external stakeholders.
• Identifies interdependencies between various groups and projects within the GSC and facilitates communication among them to improve project quality and turn-around time.
• Uses good project management methodologies, tools and techniques in the application of assigned projects.

Qualifications

• A level of education, training and experience equivalent to completion of a Masters or PhD from a recognized university in Science, preferably in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Computational Biology, Microbiology, Immunology or another biological or medical science discipline.
• A minimum of 5 years of recent related experience in the conduct, management and publication of scientific research.
• Excellent written English language abilities; fluency in written French and other languages is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in scientific and/or technical writing and editing for peer-reviewed publications, systematic research review and summary and research grant proposals in an academic and/or non-profit environment.
• Broad knowledge and understanding of academic grant application processes, research ethics, academic and peer-reviewed publication policies and procedures, technical writing and/or editing methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple resource intensive activities within a fast-paced environment and under pressure to meet strict deadlines.
• Demonstrated organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills; excellent ability to organize work and communicate effectively, in writing and speaking.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment in the performance of duties; ability to accept responsibility and work independently.
• Demonstrated computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; Google’s suite of products) is mandatory; experience with the Adobe suite of products (especially InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator) and other design software for scientific illustration or data visualization (e.g., BioRender, Tableau) is an asset.

Applications

Please submit the following to bcgscjobs@bcgsc.ca, referencing job number RPC2-R00026-2021-07-21 in the subject line:

• cover letter
• current resume
• one article of published scientific writing (for which you may be an author or contributor, with formal acknowledgment of such)
• one published systematic review, meta-analysis, plain language summary or an article of popular science writing for a lay audience.

This position will remain open until filled.

We thank all applicants; however, only those selected for the next step will be contacted.

Important

We believe that equity, diversity and inclusion are essential for the advancement of knowledge and science.

We welcome all applicants and provide all employees with equal opportunity for advancement, regardless of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, conviction of a criminal or summary conviction offence unrelated to their employment.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the successful candidate may be obligated to work remotely and must be able to do so; however, work with the Provincial Health Services Authority (of which the GSC is part) requires that the candidate live in the province of British Columbia. Conditions of employment will be finalized with the successful candidate.