Science Communication and Outreach Careers

What does a career in science communication look like?

Science writing encompasses careers that can be highly technical or public-facing

Working in science communication encompasses a variety of careers, from traditional journalism, working for scientific journals to public outreach. Careers exist for general interest scientific publications, universities, federal agencies, and even textbook writing. Effective science communication is critical to having a positive impact on the way science is viewed by the public. Read more about this from Robert Irion of UC Santa Cruz's Science Communication Program. 

The type of career that is right for you will be related to the audience you want to reach. For example, do you want your audience to be the public, doctors or those in the medical field, scientific researchers, or investors for biotech companies? You will also want to consider the format of your communication. For more information, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has resources on Science Communication and Journalism.

For more about Science Writing, check out books like the Science's Writer's Handbook or Scientific Writing and Communication. Sciencemag writer Jim Austin shares some resources for those interested in science writing and editing.

Some Science Writers become freelance journalists. Learn some survival secrets published by Sciencemag, and some solid advice from Chris Tachibana of iBiology. 

Ready to get started? Read about making the transition in The Open Notebook and this Science article titled "Building a Career in Science Communication." 

Science Communication - The Fundamentals
Get a quick overview of science communication careers from UCSF alums working in the field
 


Interested in illustration and animation?

Watch UCSF alum and TED Fellow Janet Iwasa show how animation can be part of the scientific process:

Check out how CDC medical illustrators created the most iconic image of the COVID-19 pandemic, from the New York Times.

Science Communication Alumni Career Paths Panel featuring UCSF alums Roshini Epasinghe, PharmD, Karuna Meda, PhD, and Pallavi Penumetcha, PhD.

Get hands on exposure to science communication careers with an

InterSECT Job Simulation

How do I start building experience and putting together a portfolio?

There are many ways to get scientific writing and communication experience. Some examples include:

*Note that these are just examples and deadlines occur throughout the year. Plan ahead.

What are some of organizations who hire PhDs to write?
  • Scientific Journals such as PLoS, Cell Press, Nature Reviews, PNAS, American Society for Biochemistry, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and Molecular Biology
  • Non-profits such as iBiology and Organ Preservative Alliance
  • Government funded agencies such as the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), NASA, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
  • Biotech companies such as Addgene, Genentech, Bio-rad, Promega
  • Universities such as UCSF, Penn State University, John Hopkins University, Duke University
  • Exploratorium
  • Forbes
  • Russo Partners
  • ACUMED+
  • Envision Pharma Group+
  • Evoke Health+
  • SCIENOMICS group+
  • Meditech Media+
  • BGB communications+
  • Health Interactions+
  • Caudex Medical+
  • Articulate Science+
  • CMC+
  • Fishawack Communications+
  • Mudskipper+

+see dropoutclub.org/resources

How can I connect with other professionals in science writing and communication?
How do I know if science writing and communication is a good fit for me?

Good question! Find out by completing an assessment.

  • If you're in basic or biomedical sciences, use AAAS's My Individual Development Plan Assessment Tool, which OCPD co-created. Answer three assessments and it will calculate and compare your skills/interests/values responses to key factors for 60 different career paths within 20 different career categories that are options for you as a scientist.
  • If you're in social or population sciences, use the ImaginePhD Skills, Interest, and Values Assessments. Make an account for free and then click the Assessments tab at the top. They will match your skills, interests, and values to families of jobs and provide resources for learning more about the jobs in the families that are best suited to you.

Come to our event to hear PhDs in science writing and communication careers talk about how their values played into their career decisions and help them find satisfaction in their current roles. You'll reflect on your own values and then can ask follow-up questions to determine whether work this field aligns with your values.

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