Science writer
Science writers cover fields that are undergoing rapid advances and changes, reporting on exciting and ground-breaking developments
As a science writer, you'll research and write about scientific topics and trends in an engaging and accessible way for both specialists and general public audiences. This involves translating often complex scientific information, theories, and practices into a clear, concise and accurate language.
Formats include news articles and features for business, trade, and professional publications, specialist scientific and technical journals, and the general media, including television, radio, and blogs.
Depending on your role, your remit may also include editing and could extend to broader communications responsibilities.
You may be known as a scientific journalist if you report on scientific news for the media and take on a more investigatory, critical role.
Responsibilities
The activities you'll undertake as a science writer will depend on the nature of your role and your target audience, but you'll usually need to:
- produce articles for publication in print and online according to agreed style, and meet strict deadlines
- conduct interviews with scientists, doctors, and academics, and establish a network of industry experts
- attend academic and press conferences
- visit research establishments
- read and research specialist media and literature, such as scientific papers, company reports, newspapers, magazines, journals, press releases, and internet resources, including social media
- attend meetings or participate in conference calls with clients, scientists, or other writers
- meet with colleagues to plan the content of a document or publication
- conduct reference searches
- review and amend work in response to editor feedback
- select appropriate artwork to accompany articles
- occasionally read page proofs from printers and check colour proofs.
Salary
- Entry-level science writers can expect to earn between £26,875 and £33,000 per year.
- With experience, salaries can rise to between £35,000 and £44,000 per year.
- Senior science writers or those in specialist fields may earn up to £51,000 per year.
Freelance science writers are typically paid per article or at a daily rate, with rates varying depending on the publication and complexity of the work.
Salary levels depend on the type of work you undertake, the employer and how much experience you have. Salaries can vary widely between regions and publications.
The Creators’ Rights Alliance (CRA), founded in part by The Association of British Science Writers, provides information to help guide writers on .
Income figures are intended as a guide only.
Working hours
Working hours vary, although if you're working in-house, you'll typically be working 9am to 5pm. However, at times you may need to work long hours to meet deadlines, so a flexible approach is required to accommodate breaking news and in-depth, time-consuming projects.
What to expect
- Work is primarily office based but you may need to travel to visit clients or interview experts.
- Science writers often work on a freelance basis, pitching ideas for articles to science editors and becoming regular contributors for one or more organisations. If this applies to you, you may work from home or travel to company offices if you've been contracted for a certain amount of work.
- Jobs are available in cities throughout the UK.
- Depending on your role, you could travel internationally to attend conferences and visit clients.
Qualifications
The main ways to become a science writer are to:
- Start with a science background - typically with a science degree, which helps in understanding complex scientific topics. This route may also include experience in scientific research or industry.
- Transition from a career in science or industry - even without formal qualifications, by shifting into communication roles where you write about science.
- Enter from a journalism background - moving into specialist science writing as your expertise and interest in the subject develop.
- Begin with an unrelated degree - and a strong interest in science, building relevant skills through writing experience, courses, or self-directed learning.
- Train via an apprenticeship - such as those offered by The Royal Society of Chemistry.
Some science writers have a science degree and sometimes even a postgraduate science qualification. A scientist can either start writing immediately upon graduation, or can move into the industry after several years of scientific research.
Sometimes writers with science degrees take on a further postgraduate qualification in journalism or scientific communications in order to further their scientific writing careers. These courses aim to help those from a science-based background distil complex information to a level that the general public can understand.
Science communication degrees, available from a range of UK universities, specifically prepare you for a career in science writing by giving you the skills to:
- organise and curate public events and exhibits for science organisations
- broadcast science on TV and radio
- publicise science through websites and social media
- edit and publish scientific content.
There is an increasing demand for public engagement with science, digital content creation and science policy roles. However, traditional science journalism roles have declined, especially in print media, due to industry contraction and the shift to digital formats.
When considering a course, research which topics are covered and what graduates of the programme go on to do. Also check if any work experience and networking opportunities are incorporated, as the structure of courses varies between institutions.
If you're looking to get into science journalism, it’s important to check the course is accredited by the .
If you're already a trained journalist or reporter, you can choose to specialise in science writing. If you're not, you could take an undergraduate degree in journalism or study a different subject first and then complete a postgraduate qualification in journalism.
See newspaper journalist and magazine journalist for more information, or search postgraduate courses in journalism.
The Association of British Science Writers resource offers a comprehensive guide to entering the profession.
Skills
You need to have:
- excellent written and oral communication skills
- a strong interest in science
- the ability to think logically and understand complex ideas and data
- good organisational and time management skills
- ability to work under pressure to deadlines
- resilience, flexibility, persistence and self-motivation
- a sound understanding of standard computer programs.
Work experience
A strong portfolio is essential for aspiring science writers as recruiters will want to see evidence of your ability to communicate scientific ideas clearly and engagingly. It will also help employers assess your writing style and subject knowledge.
You can develop this by writing for your university on behalf of societies, departments, or halls of residence. Aim to get your work published in newspapers, newsletters, websites or blogs.
Professional bodies such as the Royal Society of Chemistry may be able to offer work experience on their publications, websites, or student-facing networks. Look for advertised opportunities or make a speculative application by contacting the relevant editor.
Media organisations often offer work experience or internship opportunities, which can provide valuable insight into science journalism and help build contacts. Proactively submitting article proposals or pitches to relevant publications can also be an effective way to get published and start building a portfolio.
Starting your own blog will enable you to compile a ready-made portfolio of work, which you can show to prospective employers.
Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.
Employers
Science writers are employed by national and local newspapers, as well as by magazines, journals and websites.
Many titles are owned by large newspaper groups at international, national or regional level. For a directory of daily and weekly newspapers within the UK, see .
Popular science magazines include:
Science professional associations, research institutes and companies, universities and charities sometimes employ science writers to write for their newsletters and websites.
Look for job vacancies at:
- - career platform with jobs, networking and internship opportunities.
- - requires a paid subscription.
For freelance writing, send article proposals to the named science editor of relevant publications along with a copy of your CV.
Professional development
The training you'll receive will depend on the organisation you work for. Trainees at large newspaper and magazine organisations usually receive formal training. After an initial probationary period, most trainee journalists follow basic journalism training under the terms of a training contract.
Typically, once you've worked for 18 months, you'll take the National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ), which, once you pass, qualifies you as a senior journalist. To sit these exams, you must first have passed the NCTJ preliminary exams.
Journalists in larger organisations may also receive structured training in:
- reporting
- writing
- proofreading
- sub-editing
- layout
- design and production.
Writers working for smaller and non-media organisations will likely receive informal, on-the-job training. This includes receiving feedback from editors, peers, and clients, and learning from more experienced colleagues.
In general, writers must be open-minded, able to accept criticism, and willing to make changes to their writing style. As a writer, you'll also learn to improve your writing through regularly reading the work of other scientific communicators.
It's important to keep up to date with any advances in the science industry. Attending science-related conferences and gaining membership to any relevant professional bodies are effective ways to maintain a strong understanding of current developments.
Career prospects
A common way for trainees to begin their career is through working in local media or publications with a small audience. After building up their portfolio, writers can aim to work for larger media organisations with a wider audience.
Many senior journalists and correspondents freelance across print, broadcast and online journalism and some go on to write science books. After several years, writers can try to move to more senior editorial roles.
Career advancement at all stages depends on ability, performance and initiative. Writers who want to advance should seek out every opportunity to get a good article in front of an editor and preferably published by a respected organisation. Networking with fellow professionals through online platforms such as LinkedIn is also helpful.
Membership of organisations such as the and the provides access to industry contacts, advice on freelance pay, and information on key events and news, which can help you progress in your career.
You might also find useful advice from these American equivalents:
Science writers can move into related roles such as science information officers or medical writers. These roles involve preparing press materials, explaining research, and supporting journalists or health professionals in communicating complex information.