The Biotech Ink Insider

March 6, 2009  |  Vol. 2 No. 7     Published by Biotech Ink, LLC
Inside the Insider

POLL:  Has Your Salary or Hourly Fee Changed in the Last 6 Months?

 
Dear Subscriber,Susan E Caldwell

For those of you who are interested in medical writer compensation, I've put a tiny poll out there on my LinkedIn web profile. So far, I've received 9 responses, and the results have been interesting.
 
If you're a medical writer, editor, proofreader, or in a related profession, could you please respond to the poll? It's just one question with a multiple-choice answer, and could help all of us to know the answer. Click here to go to my LinkedIn profile; you'll find the poll just after the Summary section.
 
Next week, I'll include the results of the poll in the Biotech Ink Insider. I'm sure you're all curious, like me, to know what's happening to medical writing fees and salaries.
 
Later this spring, I'll poll our subscribers in more detail about the status of medical writing compensation, and will keep tracking the trends in medical writing compensation during the recession. Knowing what's happening to our compensation puts all of us in a better position to negotiate future compensation while the economy is in an upheavel.
 
Warmest regards,
 
Susan
 
Susan E Caldwell, PhD
Medical Writer Consultant and President
Biotech Ink, LLC -- the Contract Writing OrganizationSM
969-G Edgewater Blvd., No. 303
Foster City, CA 94404
Tel: 650.286.9300
Fax: 650.286.9301
Open Medical Writing Staff and Contract Jobs
The jobs listed in the Biotech Ink Insider come to us mostly by word-of-mouth and direct contact with hiring managers and recruiters. If no new jobs are communicated to us in a given week, the newsletter will not be published that week.
 
If you're a writer and are getting calls about staff or contract positions you aren't interested in, please forward that information to Susan Caldwell at caldwell@biotechink.com. We'd be delighted to publish such positions in the next issue of the Insider.
Lead Scientific Specialist/Scientific Specialist
Stamford, CT/Hackensack, NJ 
 
PAREXEL MedCom is a leading global medical communications agency, employing creative scientific writers in a dynamic environment that fosters professional growth and achievement.  For over 25 years PAREXEL has supported the Bio-Tech and Pharmaceutical industries in helping the development of new drugs and treatments on a global basis.  As a leading global biopharmaceutical service provider, we supply knowledge-based contract research, medical communications and consulting services across a broad range of therapeutic areas to the worldwide pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. We have helped over 800 clients to develop and launch some of the most important drugs and devices of our time-helping people live better and healthier lives everywhere in the world.  Headquartered near Boston, Massachusetts, PAREXEL operates in more than 50 countries around the world. For more information about PAREXEL International visit www.PAREXEL.com.
 
PAREXEL currently has an opening for a Lead Scientific Specialist/Scientific Specialist in the Stamford, CT/Hackensack, NJ offices.
 
Responsibilities:

·         Develop high-quality scientific content by means of all necessary research, scientific writing, editing, and fact checking, to meet deadlines and work within project scope and objectives.
·         Writing and editing manuscripts, posters, abstracts, slide kits, product monographs, newsletters and congress/exhibit materials, requiring interpretation of data to the highest degree of scientific accuracy
·         Applies to all formats of MedCom's communication outputs
·         Acquire and maintain in-depth understanding of relevant therapy areas, client products, and objectives
·         Take ownership of assigned projects or programs and resolve complex technical issues, with minimal management direction, to ensure excellent project delivery
·         Liaise effectively with client and external authors/opinion leaders during the lifecycle of assigned projects or programs
·         Comprehensive understanding of the organization's service offerings and processes
 
Education:
 
·         Bachelors degree or higher in life sciences, pharmacy, or medicine (BSc, BA, PharmD, PhD, MD)
 
Work Experience:
 
·         Prior experience in a similar role, preferably within a medical communications agency environment

Skills:

·         Intermediate computer and Internet skills, including knowledge of MS applications, such as Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
·         Strong oral and written communication skills
·         Strong problem-solving skills
 
Technical expertise:
 
·         Ability to acquire and apply specialized therapy area knowledge
·         Ability to interpret and organize scientific data
·         Ability to understand and implement marketing messages
·         Scientific writing competency
·         Proof reading and copyediting skills
·         Ability to quality control own output
·         Effective project management skills
·         Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment
·         Strong client focus
·         Ability to interact professionally within a client organization
·         Ability to prioritize work and define steps needed to achieve specified project outcomes
·         Ability to successfully manage assignments on time with high quality
·         Effective presentation skills
·         Ability and willingness to participate in the training and mentoring of other team members
·         Willingness to undertake continuous professional learning and development
·         Willingness to work in a matrix environment and to value the importance of teamwork
 
We have a casual, friendly, atmosphere promoting individual development and career growth. In addition, we offer a competitive salary, an excellent benefits package including tuition reimbursement, 401(k) and health insurance plans.

PAREXEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer that develops strength through diversity. 
 
To apply please forward a Word version of your resume to elizabeth.files@parexel.com.
DISCLAIMER:  Biotech Ink, LLC, and the Biotech Ink Insider provide the Insider jobs list on an "as-submitted basis," and neither assumes responsibility for, nor guarantees the quality or accuracy of, any listing or response. All listings are provided as a free service and courtesy to subscribers and users, and users assume all risk in using the information in the Insider.