Scientific Writer

Harvard University’s Central Administration is hiring a Scientific Writer to support the Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI), a university‑wide hub that advances health equity through collaborative research, policy briefs, grant proposals, and other scholarly outputs.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Executive Director and collaborating with the Faculty Director and affiliated faculty, the Scientific Writer will develop high‑quality institutional scholarly products and ensure scientific accuracy across both academic and public‑facing communications.

Lead writing of academic outputs , including grant proposals, reports, and policy briefs, as directed by the Executive Director.

Research, draft, edit, and produce technical policy briefs on global health topics for funders, policy makers, and the public.

Conduct literature reviews, synthesize complex research evidence, and create clear, policy‑relevant documents.

Revise scientific manuscripts, research papers, and reports for technical and specialist audiences.

Ensure accuracy, rigor, and citation of sources, adhering to institutional guidelines and publication standards.

SCIENTIFIC EDITING AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

Review and edit public‑facing communications (press releases, newsletters, website content, and social media) for scientific accuracy.

Maintain consistency in tone, style, and formatting across HGHI’s publications.

Stay current on scientific communication trends, publication standards, and responsible use of AI‑assisted writing tools, integrating best practices into workflows.

GRANT WRITING AND INSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS

Draft, edit, and manage grant proposals and funding applications to external funders, including foundations, government agencies, and multilateral organizations.

Translate research concepts into compelling, well‑structured proposals that meet funder requirements.

Prepare ancillary materials such as budget narratives, letters of support, biosketches, and compliance documents in coordination with the Finance Team.

CROSS-INSTITUTIONAL COORDINATION

Coordinate with internal teams and external collaborators, including partner institutions, co‑investigators, and journal editors, to produce cohesive, polished content for joint projects and publications.

Prepare and organize ancillary materials—figures, appendices, graphs, copyright permissions, and other items—for submission to publishing platforms as needed.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

Five or more years of professional experience in scientific or technical writing, with demonstrated experience in grant proposals, research reports, and technical policy documents.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Master’s degree (MA, MS, MPH, or equivalent) in public health, global health, or a related field.

PhD or doctoral degree preferred; equivalent professional experience may be considered.

Subject‑matter expertise in global health and public health, including familiarity with major funders, research frameworks, and policy processes.

Experience writing successful grant proposals for foundations and government agencies.

Experience managing or leading writing projects with diverse stakeholders in academic or research institutions.

Proficiency with project‑management tools (e.g., Asana), Microsoft Office Suite, and citation‑management software (e.g., Zotero, RefWorks, Sciwheel).

Familiarity with AI‑assistant research and writing tools and an understanding of their responsible application in scholarly contexts.

STANDARD HOURS / SCHEDULE

35 hours per week.

VISA SPONSORSHIP

Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

Harvard University requires pre‑employment reference and background screenings.

OTHER INFORMATION

Requirements:

Two writing samples demonstrating a range across technical/scholarly and accessible/public‑facing writing (e.g., a grant proposal excerpt, a policy brief, or a published article).

List of publications or representative writing portfolio.

This position includes a 3‑month orientation and review period.

WORK FORMAT DETAILS
The position is eligible for remote work outside Harvard, subject to department discretion, operational needs, and compliance with Harvard’s policy on employment outside Massachusetts. Work location and schedule will be determined by the department and discussed during the interview process.

SALARY GRADE AND RANGES
Salary grade: 056.

BENEFITS
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package supporting work‑life balance and well‑being, including:

Generous paid time off, including parental leave.

Medical, dental, and vision health insurance starting on day one.

Retirement plans with university contributions.

Well‑being and mental health resources.

Support for families and caregivers.

Professional development opportunities, including tuition assistance.

Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.

EEO / NON-DISCRIMINATION COMMITMENT STATEMENT
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all communities and strive to ensure that everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. The policy and related non‑discrimination policy enable all community members to participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

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