Scientific Lead - Medical Communications
ICON plc is a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization. We’re proud to foster an inclusive environment driving innovation and excellence, and we welcome you to join us on our mission to shape the future of clinical development.
ICON Global Medical Communications (GMC) is looking for passionate, resilient, and inspiring individuals to join our team. As a Scientific Lead (SL), you will build on the responsibilities of a Senior Medical Writer and take on additional project-level content development and management responsibilities, as determined by the senior scientific client-account leadership. This role can be best described as a 'hybrid' encompassing high-level writing qualifications, peer-review of project deliverables, strategic support and client engagement as determined by the respective aligned account leaders.
Your primary responsibility will be the oversight and approval of scientific/clinical content for assigned projects/tasks and to function with a greater level of independence on those projects. This oversight will include review of assigned materials for accuracy and quality as well as mentoring and development of junior writing staff. Contributing scientific and therapy area insights are also an important part of the role. Medical writing is a key function and may vary as determined by account needs. The SL will work closely with the Scientific Manager to support members of the client account team as directed. As SL, input and participation in assigned account initiatives, along with internal company initiatives, as required, offers additional potential opportunities for growth.
This is a hybrid role (reviewing/writing). As a Scientific Lead, prior experience with background researching, developing, and high-quality writing for the diverse array of deliverables within medical publications and medical communications is expected and will be an integral foundation for this role. Based on this and the overall description, the SL role will fall broadly across the following approximate allocations (individual client account teams may have, from time to time, specific needs that may alter these allocations:
Primary responsibilities for this role comprise content oversight and quality control including but not limited to:
- reviewing of assigned writers’ work
- product/therapy area information and strategic insight pertinent to the assigned projects and client account as directed
- fact checking assigned manuscripts
- collaboration with the Scientific Manager and account managers to help ensure adherence to agreed-upon timelines
- helping to oversee all aspects of project development from initiation to completion, including financial aspects
A portion of your time will comprise scientific/medical writing and content-development support as assigned:
- writing of manuscripts, posters, abstracts, slide decks, and/ or other deliverables requiring scientific/medical writing support as directed
- helping to manage medical writers’ workloads as directed
- working as directed to identify and obtain required/helpful background materials, including from client
- assisting and working with graphics and editorial support staff to provide necessary background and technical information required to complete tasks
- assisting in the onboarding and mentoring of new and junior medical writers, as directed
Other responsibilities include assisting with business development activities including but not limited to:
- background research and writing support for new business proposals and organic growth opportunities
What you need:
- Advanced degree, preferably PhD but PharmD and MD may also be considered
- Prior relevant experience in a medical publications/medical communications agency will be a key differentiator for the successful candidate
- Minimum of 4–5 years’ experience of high-level content development and management in the medical communication agency setting, with at least 3 years as a Senior Medical Writer, strongly preferred
- CMPP™/MAPPS Certification preferred not required
- Demonstrable history of relevant high-level writing support and review (e.g, while at a medical communications agency), including proficiency with ICMJE and GPP guidelines; reviewing and interpreting scientific and technical journal content; knowledge of diverse prescribed styles and formats
- A demonstrable history and genuine interest in mentoring
- People management and client relationship skills preferred
- Ability to work efficiently with network directories/databases
- Familiarity and ability to work with industry standard resources (e.g., PubMed/Medline, clinicaltrials.gov, various market intelligence/data analytic providers, etc)
- Ability to work with cross-functional teams (e.g., editorial/library services, graphics/digital services, presentations support, etc)
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What ICON can offer you:
Our success depends on the quality of our people. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to build a diverse culture that rewards high performance and nurtures talent.
In addition to your competitive salary, ICON offers a range of additional benefits. Our benefits are designed to be competitive within each country and are focused on well-being and work life balance opportunities for you and your family.
Our benefits examples include:
- Various annual leave entitlements
- A range of health insurance offerings to suit you and your family’s needs.
- Competitive retirement planning offerings to maximize savings and plan with confidence for the years ahead.
- Global Employee Assistance Programme, LifeWorks, offering 24-hour access to a global network of over 80,000 independent specialized professionals who are there to support you and your family’s well-being.
- Life assurance
- Flexible country-specific optional benefits, including childcare vouchers, bike purchase schemes, discounted gym memberships, subsidized travel passes, health assessments, among others.
Visit our careers site to read more about the benefits ICON offers.
At ICON, inclusion & belonging are fundamental to our culture and values. We’re dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for all candidates. ICON is committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please let us know or submit a request here
Interested in the role, but unsure if you meet all of the requirements? We would encourage you to apply regardless – there’s every chance you’re exactly what we’re looking for here at ICON whether it is for this or other roles.
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