Science writer: Job description

A science writer researches, writes and edits scientific news articles and features for business, trade and professional publications, specialist scientific and technical journals, and the general media. Writers need to be able to understand complex scientific information, theories and practices. They then need to be able to write about these topics in a clear, concise and accurate language that can be understood by people who may not be experts in these fields.

A science writer can also be referred to as a science or scientific journalist.

Typical work activities

The exact activities that a science writer undertakes depends upon the nature of the role and who they are writing for. Common activities may include:

• producing articles for publication in print and online according to agreed style and keeping to strict deadlines;
• conducting interviews with scientists, doctors and academics and establishing a network of industry experts;
• attending academic and press conferences;
• visiting research establishments;
• reading and researching specialist media and literature, e.g. scientific papers, company reports, newspapers, magazines and journals, press releases and internet resources;
• attending meetings or taking part in conference calls with clients, scientists or writing professionals;
• meeting with colleagues to plan the content of a document or publication;
• conducting reference searches;
• reviewing and amending work in response to editor feedback;
• selecting appropriate artwork;
• occasionally reading page proofs from printers and checking colour proofs.