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 this book or this one. Sciencemag writer Jim Austin shares some resources for those interested in science writing and editing or you can visit this Duke University page to learn more about careers in academic publishing.

Some Science Writers become freelance journalists. Learn more about how a scientist becomes a freelance writer from Stephanie Chasteen, 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." You may also want to check out Practical Science Communication Strategies for graduate students.

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

What are some job titles to search related to science writing and communication?

Advisory or Associate Editor
Communications Director
Communications Specialist
Copy-Editor
Editor-in-Chief
Editorial Assistant
Editorial Board Member
Freelance Science Journalist
Managing Editor
Medical Affairs Manager
Medical Affairs Publications Manager
Medical Writer
Outreach Scientist
Public Information Officer at a University or College
Public Relations Counselor
Research Analyst
Scientific Advisor (to a law firm or venture capital firm)
Science Communicator
Science Editor
Science Feature Writer
Science Journalist/Book Author
Science News Editor
Science Outreach Program Manager
Science Writer
Scientific Communications and Writing (Public Relations)
Social Media Manager
Technical Editor

Get experience and build a portfolio

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

Postdocs: Participate in the Postdoc slam
- Grad students sign up for next year's Grad Slam
Get involved with a student-run publication (e.g. Synapse)
Perform a real job task in freelance science journalism, journal editing, or medical writing through a job simulation
Create a blog and use it (e.g. science media)
Write for a local news outlet
Submit an article to a Scientific Journal such as the American Society for Microbiology's Science Communication issue or MyScienceWork.com
Go to a conference such as the World Conference of Science Journalists
Advocate for Science: A How-to from the National Postdoc Association
How to create your portfolio
Attend a workshop*
Apply for an internship or fellowship*
Get recognized. Apply for an award*
- iBiology Young Scientist Series
- Science in Society Journalism Awards through the National Association of Science Writers (NASW)
- The American Institute of Physics Science Communication Award
You may want to consider a Science Communication Program. Should you do it?
- Some examples of these types of programs are MIT, UC Santa Cruz, and Johns Hopkins University
Consider Emma Hitt Nichols' 6-week Medical Writer Training Course

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

Examples of organizations who hire PhDs

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

Find your community

Is science writing and communication a good fit for you?

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.