In a time where AI content writing is taking the place of humans, the need for specialized science writers has never been more demanding. As advancements in life science and biotechnology are constantly evolving, getting your message across clearly and accurately can spell the difference between communicating clearly to an acquisition partner, or failing short of impressing your target audience due to poorly executed content.
Science writers, and therefore accurate scientific content, can span multiple sectors such as healthcare, tech, and environmental science. They can also be utilized beyond research or technical writing, for marketing purposes.
Whether you are hiring science writers, require one for marketing, or want to get into a scientific writing career, there is something to learn in this post.
Table of Contents
What Does a Science Writer Do? Science Writing Careers
Marketing Communications
At Digital Elevator, our biotech marketing agency understands that translating complex scientific concepts into clear, engaging content is essential for effective marketing communications. Our science writers, typically PhDs, often play a critical role here, helping businesses and institutions develop blog articles, service pages, and other high-value content that resonates with their audience. From educating readers on groundbreaking research to supporting product and service narratives, skilled science writers bring expertise to every piece they craft.
Science Journalism
Science journalists make scientific developments accessible to broader audiences by crafting stories for mainstream publications, niche science magazines, and news outlets. They may write for online news platforms, print magazines, or broadcast channels, translating complex information into formats that keep the public informed and engaged.
Public Communications
Science writers working in public relations and communications develop press releases, reports, and content for governmental agencies, research institutions, and professional societies. They frequently work with universities or research groups, often assisting with grant proposals, reporting breakthroughs, and fostering public interest in scientific advancements.
Technical Writing in Industry
Within private industry, technical writers focus on creating product documentation, technical bulletins, and press releases tailored to scientific and engineering audiences. Their work ensures that complex details are clearly conveyed to technical stakeholders and assists in the creation of technical papers that showcase industry innovations.
Editing and Content Refinement
Science editors work behind the scenes to polish and refine articles for academic journals, tech and science publications, and government reports. Whether for digital magazines or scientific journals, these editors ensure that all content is accurate, clear, and consistent, helping maintain high-quality standards in science communication.
Key Skills to Look for in a Science Writer
When hiring a science writer, it’s essential to look for a blend of specific skills that ensure content is accurate and compelling. As it relates to marketing and search engine optimization (SEO), this also means the content is optimized for reach. Here’s what top-notch science writers bring to the table:
Scientific Knowledge
A strong foundation in science is critical. Effective science writers understand core concepts and terminologies, making it easier for them to convey complex information accurately and without losing nuance. This knowledge allows them to communicate with authority and clarity.
Adaptability
Science writers often handle diverse topics, from healthcare innovations to environmental science and tech advancements. The best writers can shift seamlessly between subjects, keeping content relevant and tailored to the specific needs of each project.
Industry-Specific Insight
Each industry has its own language, audience, and approach. Science writers who can align their work with industry-specific expectations add value by producing content that speaks directly to the audience’s needs and interests.
Industry-specific insight may be related to work experience or education. For example, if you are focused on PhDs, you may want to seek science writers with that specific education. MDs or DOs are also science writers, as are those with MBAs, or general degrees. Consider this as you perform your research and weigh how important it is to you.
At Digital Elevator, we carefully vet our science writers for these skills. Each writer is selected for their ability to combine deep scientific understanding with the adaptability needed to produce high-impact content. As it relates to SEO and writing content for search engines, we generally look for writers who can follow our keyword research content briefs but also have skills in copywriting.
Where to Find Qualified Science Writers
Finding qualified science writers is not difficult to do given the wealth of platforms with highly skilled professionals. However, the type of writing you need may shift your focus to one platform over another.
Specialized Marketing Agencies
If you need marketing-related scientific content such as website content, blog posts, white papers, resource pages, or product and service pages, working with an agency like Digital Elevator will be your best bet. Working with an agency ensures the best writers are already pre-qualified for you with the added benefits of an editorial team, SEO team, and graphic design team, if needed.
Freelance Platforms
Kolabtree is the most popular platform for connecting with freelance science writers, often with no agency affiliation. You can select them by area of expertise, view their previous projects, and even have them bid on your projects.
Upwork is a popular freelancer platform, although it is not specific to the scientific community as is Kolabtree. The writers here may bill less per hour, but are likely to be slightly less qualified than what you might find on Kolabtree.
National Association of Science Writers
NASW has a database of 1,000s of science writers along with their expertise. Given the primary focus of the organization, it is a great place to find writers. The downside is that filtering options are not as robust as Kolabtree, requiring a bit more manual work to find writers.
How Much Do Science Writers Charge?
The rates of science writers vary depending on the level of expertise, their specific scientific background, and whether you require additional editing and proofreading services as you would get with an agency.
Agency
At an agency, expect to pay $250 to $400 per hour. Keep in mind this often comes with editorial processes, copywriting expertise, and done-for-you publication.
Freelance writers
Freelance rates can vary greatly depending on expertise, ratings within a given platform (writers with fewer or no ratings will often be cheaper), experience specific to scientific writing, education, and country of origin. Expect to pay anywhere between $50/hour and up ($100 an hour seems to be a common rate), and flat fee rates of as much as $2,500 for specific types of content, like blogs.
Science Writer Salary
Should you want to hire a full-time science writer or if you are a science writer wondering what you can expect, here is some information that will be helpful.
Glassdoor: $80K – $147K/yr
ZipRecruiter: $70,499
How to Work Effectively with a Science Writer
You can never provide too much context or information to a writer. Giving examples, providing content outlines, or setting expectations around quality and rounds of edits should be done upfront. If you are working with a new science writer, start with a small project before investing in larger projects to get an idea of how they work and how you like their communication, availability, turnaround time, and quality.
Work with Our PhD Writers
If you need scientific writing services or content related to marketing communications, contact Digital Elevator today. We can help you strategize, research, and execute specialized life science or biotech content writing content with a specific focus on promotion and marketing.
If you are a science writer and are interested in joining our pool of vendors, feel free to drop us a line as well.
FAQ
What should I look for in a science writer?
When hiring a science writer, prioritize candidates with a solid foundation in scientific knowledge, proven adaptability across topics, and a talent for storytelling. Look for writers who understand SEO if your content needs to be optimized for search engines. Additionally, consider any industry-specific experience or relevant degrees (such as PhDs, MDs, or MBAs) that align with your content needs.
What industries benefit most from science writers?
Science writers are invaluable in sectors like healthcare, biotechnology, life sciences, technology, and environmental science. They help communicate complex ideas clearly, supporting areas such as marketing, public communications, product documentation, and academic publishing.
How do I know if I need a freelance or full-time science writer?
Consider a freelance writer if your needs are project-based or if you require specific expertise periodically. Full-time science writers are ideal for companies with ongoing, diverse content needs. An agency can also bridge this gap, providing vetted, highly qualified science writers with editorial support and SEO expertise.
How much should I expect to pay for a science writer?
Rates vary based on expertise and format. Agencies may charge $250-$400 per hour, typically including editorial support and SEO services. Freelance science writers range from $50 to $100+ per hour or may offer flat-rate fees for specific content types. Full-time science writers typically earn annual salaries between $70,000 and $147,000.
How can Digital Elevator help me find the right science writer for my needs?
Digital Elevator connects you with highly qualified science writers with PhD-level expertise. Our vetted writers, backed by our editorial and SEO teams, are skilled in translating scientific content into compelling, marketing-friendly materials tailored for your audience. We can handle everything from research and content strategy to polished, publication-ready copy.
Hire science writers from Digital Elevator today.
Schedule a discovery call today to discuss your content writing needs. Our team specializes in content writing for marketing purposes, written by PhDs.
