Position OverviewThe
Senior Science Editor serves as the primary scientific journalistic voice and editorial strategist for the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. This role translates cutting-edge geroscience, cell biology, and longevity breakthroughs into narrative-driven feature articles, deep-dive profiles, and investigative-style scientific commentary. You will cover the forefront of aging research for an intellectually curious global audience, including science-literate donors, academic peers, media partners, and the public.
You will shape the Buck's science story strategy by interviewing leading researchers, pitching high-impact editorial series, and reading primary scientific literature to surface stories at the frontier of aging research.
Key Responsibilities- Science Writing & Storytelling: Conduct in-depth interviews with Buck principal investigators to craft long-form features, researcher profiles, and explanatory pieces on geroscience and longevity. Turn intricate biomedical and biological breakthroughs into rigorous, highly readable narratives for intellectually curious audiences.
- Editorial Strategy & Calendar Management: Develop and maintain a cross-channel editorial calendar aligned with research publications, institutional milestones, events, and fundraising priorities.
- High-Stakes Philanthropic Narrative: Translate complex institutional research initiatives into narrative-driven case statements, white papers, and donor communications that resonate with science-literate philanthropists and institutional partners.
- Multi-Platform Editorial Content: Write and edit impactful content across channels, including digital publications, newsletters, executive op-eds, video scripts, and presentation narratives. Help lead scientific content creation for a new institutional website.
- Scientific Integrity & Brand Voice: Maintain institutional editorial guidelines, ensuring narrative clarity, journalistic rigor, and meticulous scientific accuracy across all communications.
- Media & External Engagement: Pitch original story concepts to external science editors, media outlets, and journalists, while helping prepare faculty experts for high-profile interviews
Qualifications & Requirements- Experience: 5+ years of professional science writing and editing experience, with a background in science journalism or research institution editorial teams.
- Scientific Literacy: Demonstrated ability to read peer-reviewed journals and translate complex biology, genetics, and geroscience directly from primary sources into engaging narratives for lay audiences without compromising scientific nuance.
- Journalistic Skillset: Proven mastery of developmental editing, narrative arc building, and interviewing senior scientists.
- Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills to build trust with leading principal investigators, executive leadership, and philanthropy teams.
- Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple writing deadlines and editorial projects simultaneously.
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Science Communication, Biology, Journalism, or a related field required; advanced degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.
- Preferred: Experience covering aging biology, geroscience, or biomedical research, and experience writing for philanthropic audiences.
Compensation & BenefitsThe anticipated salary range for this position is $125,000 to $150,000 annually. Annual compensation will be based on relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and other job-related factors. The Buck Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and a 401(k) with a 5% employer match.
Location & TravelThis is a hybrid position based at the Buck Institute in Novato, California, with 4 days per week on campus. Travel is estimated at up to 10%, including regular local travel throughout the Bay Area and periodic domestic trips. The role also includes occasional evening and weekend events.
To ApplyInterested candidates should upload a resume, cover letter describing their interest and qualifications for this position, and two to three writing samples or a link to an online portfolio, including at least one science piece.
