From academic - Newcastle · PDF fileFrom academic to medical writer ... NetworkPharma since 2007 to run sessions aimed at showcasing career options within MedComms. ... • The...

From academic to medical writer

A guide to

getting started in medical communications

Written by Dr Annick MoonPublished by NetworkPharma

For more information about careers in MedComms see

www.FirstMedCommsJob.com

Updated Edition

March 2016

For more information about careers in MedComms see


Moon A. From academic to medical writer. March 2016. For more information about careers in MedComms, see www.FirstMedCommsJob.com

From academic to medical writer: a guide to getting started in medical communications

New edition published March 2016 by NetworkPharma Ltd First published March 2009 by NetworkPharma Ltd Magdalen Centre, Oxford Science Park, Oxford, OX4 4GA, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1865 784390 Web: www.networkpharma.com email: [email protected] ©2016 NetworkPharma Ltd

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library

ISBN: 978-1-905676-40-8

Managing Director: Peter Llewellyn; Production/editorial: Gill Gummer, Proactive Editorial Services Ltd – [email protected]; Designed by: Steve Griffiths – [email protected]; Printed by: Holywell Press Ltd – www.holywellpress.co.uk

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanically, recorded or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

The publisher and author have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this publication but cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. Registered names, trademarks etc. used in this publication, even when not marked as such, are not to be considered unprotected by law.

AcknowledgementsMany thanks to the numerous members of the MedComms Networking Community who have contributed their thoughts and comments during the development of this publication. If you have any feedback please let us know.

Further copies are available to download directly if you visit www.MedCommsNetworking.com/careersguide.pdf

Printed copies of this guide are also available if you contact the Publisher, Peter Llewellyn: [email protected]

[email protected] www.darwinhc.com

Oxford Sterling House Oxford Road Kingston Bagpuize Oxon OX1 3 5AP UK T +44 (0) 1865 822555London Lynton House 7–12 Tavistock Square London WC1H 9LT UK T +44 (0) 20 3037 3600

Teamwork in a nutshell

From tiny seeds, mighty giants grow. This guide is one such seed, helping talented people find their way from academia into the complex and dynamic world of medical communications.

At Darwin, we believe in the power of words to make a difference, and words that spark something new can be the most potent of all. That’s why we’re delighted to collaborate with NetworkPharma and to sponsor this guide for the sixth year running.

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3Foreword to 2016 editionThis introduction to medical writing, first published in 2009, provides a useful resource for anyone thinking of a career in medical communications and specifically in MedComms agencies in the UK. It provides excellent support for the careers events that now run regularly in Oxford and elsewhere.

The Medical Sciences Division of the University of Oxford has been collaborating with NetworkPharma since 2007 to run sessions aimed at showcasing career options within MedComms.

Each January, Oxford hosts a one-day introductory session which has proved very popular, not only with Oxford research students and staff, but also nationally with applicants from far afield participating. Intensive workshops held in May each year have been particularly successful in identifying those who would thrive and build a successful career in MedComms. These events include a ‘speed-dating session’, introducing attendees to prospective employers and giving delegates as much insight as possible into life in the range of agencies available.

Both events are run as part of the University of Oxford Medical Sciences Skills Training Programme and are now a firmly embedded feature. One factor that has contributed to the success of our portfolio of careers events has been the combination of enthusiasm and professionalism of the MedComms experts involved, and the Medical Sciences Division is very happy to continue to work in collaboration with NetworkPharma to provide interested individuals with the opportunity to explore this very popular career path.

Jane Rudman Medical Sciences Skills Training Officer

University of Oxford

About the authorAnnick is a freelance medical communications consultant and writer, living and working in Oxford. After gaining a degree and doctorate in physiology from Newcastle, she undertook post-doctoral research at Oxford and Manchester. During her time as an academic, she was an editorial committee member for the Physiological Society’s magazine. Annick started her first job in medical communications in 2001 and worked at various agencies until she set up her freelance business in 2006 providing consultancy and writing services to the

pharmaceutical and biotech industries. She has collaborated with NetworkPharma for several years on a series of careers events.

For more information see: www.moon-medical.com.

Contents• Introduction 4

• The pharmaceutical industry 5

• What is MedComms? 7

• MedComms agencies 8

• So you want to be a medical writer... 11

• Further information 15

• People in the job – in their own words 16

• Directory – MedComms 30

• Directory – careers support 38

• Directory – training 39


4 IntroductionAfter years of hard work, you finally got your doctorate. Or maybe you’ve done a few post-docs. Lectureships are hard to come by and as one short-term contract begins it’s time to start looking about for the next. Sound familiar? Time to leave academia, but feel like you’ve occupied a narrow scientific niche for so long that you’ve specialised yourself out of the job market?

Leaving academia doesn’t mean turning your back on science. Your vast scientific knowledge, and your research and analytical skills are truly valuable – ever thought about a career in medical communications?

What is medical communications?

No…• Journalism

• Academic publishing

Yes…• Providing consultancy services to the pharmaceutical industry to help raise

awareness of medicines

Medical communications provides consultancy

services to the pharmaceutical industry to help

raise awareness of medicines

About this guideThis guide focuses on medical writing careers in medical communications, in particular in MedComms agencies. The MedComms industry provides consultancy services to pharmaceutical companies, and the role of the medical writer is to use science and language to deliver these services successfully, while working to the highest ethical standards and adhering to industry regulations and guidelines.

The aim of this guide is to give you the information you need to decide if you are suited to the role of medical writer, and to provide the insider knowledge you need to excel at interview.

Please see the profiles provided by people working in MedComms later in this booklet for more insights into working in the industry.

For more information about starting out in MedComms and details of careers events, past and future, visit:



5The pharmaceutical industryA medicine starts out as a new chemical entity which, after many years of basic research, has emerged as a potential treatment for a particular disease. To put this in context, consider that from 10,000 promising new chemical entities, if one makes it to the first stage of a clinical trial, the R&D department is doing well. The new chemical entity must then undergo many years of clinical development, and must fulfil many criteria before eventually being approved for use as a medicine.

Getting a drug from the laboratory through all of the necessary clinical trials and regulatory administration, and approved for release on the healthcare market represents a major triumph for a pharmaceutical company; indeed, developing a drug can take up to 15 years and the cost can run into the £billions – but the story doesn’t end there. To get doctors to prescribe the medicine, you have to tell them about it, which usually involves marketing and communications activities: ensuring that doctors are well informed about a new medicine is essential if it is to be used appropriately and ultimately improve the health of many thousands of people.

To appreciate the scale of the ‘from bench to bedside’ process, it is first necessary to consider the phases of clinical development.

Pre-clinicalBefore a new drug can be tested in people, it must undergo rigorous pre-clinical testing, both in vitro and in suitable animal models; also known as non-clinical testing. During this phase, important pharmacological data are obtained about drug dosing, and potential hazards and risks are identified. This allows the regulatory authorities to make a risk assessment and consider the drug’s suitability for testing in humans.

Phase IOnce approved for testing in humans, Phase I can begin (sometimes known as ‘first-time-in man’ studies). Phase I studies typically involve a small number of healthy human volunteers in whom the chemical toxicity and the clinical side-effects of the drug are investigated. Volunteers receive various doses of the drug, and the aim is to determine the drug’s pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile in humans.

Phase IIAfter the initial safety testing in human volunteers is complete, the drug can be tested in patients. The aim of a Phase II trial is to provide ‘proof of principle’ and to assess the clinical benefits of the drug, in addition to the side-effects, sometimes in comparison with placebo. The benefit/risk profile of the drug is then used to plan the next phase of development.

Developing a drug can take up to

15 years and the cost can run into

the £billions


6 Phase of clinical development Description

Pre-clinical Testing in vitro and in suitable animal models

Phase I Testing in healthy human volunteers

Phase II Testing in patients

Phase III Testing in comparative trials

Phase IV Post-marketing surveillance following the launch of the drug

Phase IIIIf the Phase II study shows the drug to provide a good clinical effect without producing unacceptable side-effects, then a larger Phase III study can begin. A Phase III trial must compare the new medicine with the current standard treatment for the disease or with placebo if there is no suitable active comparator. A Phase III trial is designed to show a statistical difference between the new drug and the comparator, and to establish its therapeutic benefit and side-effect profile.

If efficacy is established in Phase III trials, then all data are submitted to the regulatory agencies who will decide whether the drug can be marketed based on the strength of evidence.

Phase IVPhase IV trials are often referred to as post-marketing surveillance studies – following a successful Phase III trial the drug will have been approved and marketed, so a Phase IV trial is used to gather information in large populations to assess the optimal use of the drug and any side-effects that may not have been identified in a clinical trial setting.

Why does the pharmaceutical industry need external consultants?It makes financial sense for a pharmaceutical company to outsource certain activities to external partners. From running a clinical trial to manufacturing a box for the medicine, the pharmaceutical industry is supported by organisations and agencies, each with specialist expertise.


7What is MedComms?Agencies servicing the pharmaceutical industry provide expert consultancy on anything from producing regulatory documentation to fulfil legal requirements to devising campaigns to help market a drug. For most pharmaceutical products, a communications and publications programme will run alongside the clinical development process, and will then support the launch of the drug and ensure that the drug remains on the clinical radar for the duration of its patent (also known as its lifecycle).

Types of agencyThere are many types of agencies offering a range of differing services to the pharmaceutical industry and it can be confusing trying to figure out which agency does what, especially as the terminology is often used inconsistently. Some agencies concentrate on publications and medical education (generally called MedComms or medical education agencies) – the focus of this booklet; others on legal and regulatory documentation or advertising. Some agencies offer a full range of consultancy such as medical education, public relations, market research and advertising, whereas others focus on a niche area.

Many of these agencies are part of a global group with sister-agencies covering the range of healthcare communications and marketing services, and there are also many small independent specialist agencies.

Whatever the service offered, the objective is always the same – to educate and inform stakeholders such as doctors, patients, nurses and hospital managers about innovations and perspectives in healthcare.

Regulatory affairs:Clinical trial documentation (Clinical Trial Applications and Investigational New Drug Applications); Marketing Authorisation Applications; New Drug Applications

Health economics:Materials to support cost-effectiveness messages

Public relations:Materials to communicate with the media; issues management

Medical education:Support of publication activities, including: journal manuscripts and conference presentations; advisory boards

Advertising and branding:Trade press; consumer adverts; sales aids; direct mail; exhibition stand materials


8 MedComms agencies MedComms agencies have their roots in medical education, and traditionally produce materials such as journal manuscripts for peer review, learning resources, slide kits, and posters and presentations for conferences. However, the boundaries are often blurred, and MedComms agencies may also touch on media materials at the public relations end of the spectrum, or more promotional materials at the commercial end of the spectrum (i.e. brochures, leaflets and animations). MedComms agencies also advise the pharmaceutical industry on how best to educate and inform their customers (i.e. doctors, nurses, hospital managers, pharmacists, patients) about the benefits and risks of the therapy using clinical and economic data. All materials should comply with best practice guidelines, as issued by bodies such as the European Medical Writers Association and the International Society for Medical Publications Professionals (further details are available on page 15).

Why join a MedComms agency?When it comes to getting broad writing experience, a MedComms agency is a good place to start your career. One day you’ll be writing a highly technical document and using all of your scientific

and research skills, and the next you’ll be using your creative powers to summarise the entire document in one diagram. Also, in a MedComms agency, it is possible to find a job that suits you: some people prefer the more scientific, educational element of the job and are happy to write nothing but technical manuscripts and may focus very

specifically on narrow therapeutic fields, whereas others enjoy the challenge of a new therapy area every week. Other people prefer the more creative element of writing a range of materials, or prefer to be out of the office talking to clients.

Which job?As well as medical writing, there are numerous different roles within a MedComms agency, many of which require a scientific background.

When it comes to getting a broad

experience, a MedComms agency is a

good place to start your career

Account ManagerNew media agencyYou will manage a diverse range of projects including on-line disease awareness and patient education websites, interactive medical

Editorial Project ManagerMedical Education Agency

Are you an energetic, ambitious and passionate individual with the desire and potential to join one of the largest healthcare communications agencies in the UK?

Medical WriterInternational MedCommsSuitable candidates will ideally have at least 18 months relevant writing experience with a background in Medical Communications, Clinical Research, Academic Research or Publishing. A life science degree is preferable. You will display excellent organisational skills and acute attention to detail.

Medical EditorHealthcare Communications AgencyProofing copy to the highest standard for a full range of medical education and communications materials including scientific abstracts, papers, posters, oral presentations, print items, and multimedia; professional liaison with pharmaceutical industry key contacts; managing and co-ordinating materials through design.


9Medical writingA medical writer is part of a team of people who develop a communication strategy to help deliver an effective campaign – what are you going to say? Who are you going to say it to? When are you going to say it? As a medical writer your job is to write high-quality, scientific copy for the wide range of materials that a MedComms agency produces. Your role will also involve keeping an eye on developments in any given scientific field, recognising the big players in the therapeutic area, assessing the strategies used by your clients’ competitors by monitoring their activities, and identifying opportunities to communicate your client’s information.

Attending conferences, and advisory board and standalone meetings is a large part of agency life, so if you like travelling, this is a definite perk. Most medical writers have visited a few of the major conference venues of Europe, such as Prague, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Munich, Nice, Rome and Milan, and also popular global venues such as Cancun, Toronto and Sydney. However, although you may find yourself staying at a nice hotel, you might not get much sleep.

Medical editingMany agencies combine the role of writing and editing. In such agencies a medical writer is not only expected to produce original articles but also to be able to ‘edit’ other writer’s work – checking it for scientific accuracy, and grammatical and editorial errors. Some agencies split this role, employing both medical writers and editors. In such agencies, medical editors tend to have a wider function, adding proofreading and print production skills to their editing role. In terms of entering an agency as a trainee, agencies more commonly recruit writers than editors. Trainee editors are often known as editorial assistants.

Account managementAn account manager/executive is responsible for making sure that projects are delivered on time and on budget. This role includes tasks such as preparing cost estimates, tracking projects, liaising with internal team members and external suppliers, negotiating with clients and preparing

A medical writer’s job is to write

high‑quality, scientific copy for the wide

range of materials that a MedComms

agency produces

External experts

Pharmaceutical client

Medical writer

• Writing and strategic development• Primary papers• Reviews• Case studies• Conference materials• Newsletters• Monographs• Websites• Videos• Slide kits

• Build relationships

• Liaise with designers, writers, editors, account managers, project managers


10invoices. Usually, account managers progress to become account directors, a position that may additionally involve looking for new business opportunities and promoting the agency to potential clients (although some agencies employ dedicated sales staff). Account managers often have a scientific background, but it is not essential.

Event managementAttending conferences, and advisory boards and standalone meetings is a large part of agency life. Events managers are involved in all aspects of event management, including the production of materials to promote the events, sourcing venues, programme development, and booking flights and hotel rooms for attendees. A scientific background is not essential for this role, and many people come to the job from a background in hospitality or event management.

Entry requirementsA PhD in life-sciences is the usual entry requirement for a medical writer joining MedComms, and many applicants have post-doc experience, although candidates with any relevant post-graduate qualification may be considered. If you have a science degree or other health-related degree (e.g. nursing, physiotherapy), but no post-graduate qualification, work experience in the publishing or pharmaceutical sectors will probably be needed.

Career progressionA new medical writer will largely be trained ‘on the job’, your work being reviewed during this period by a more senior writer. Many agencies also have structured training programmes and you may get to attend external courses. For most new medical writers it will take about a year to lose the ‘trainee’ status (regardless of your job title when you start). After about 6 months of being a trainee, it starts to become frustrating (and sometimes horrible) having your work picked-apart; however, it takes a few years to gain experience and to learn how to plan and produce a range of materials, and it is worth being patient and establishing a good foundation.

Whatever position you choose as a starting point, once in the industry there is scope to change direction and to progress in various ways. The editorial route leads from medical writer to senior writer; beyond this, job specifications tend to vary between agencies, offering the opportunity to define and develop your career according to your strengths. Some writers choose to focus on writing in roles such as principal writer and editorial team leader; others do less writing, focusing more on managing and directing accounts.

Earning potentialStarting salaries vary between agencies, and depend upon your age and experience. Trainee writers leaving academia with a PhD or another higher degree, or with post-doc experience, can expect a ballpark of £25–30K. It is often a source of frustration to trainees with post-doc experience that they have started on a similar salary as someone straight out of their doctorate; don’t be disheartened. If you are a bit older, with more experience and knowledge, it is likely you will progress more quickly than someone younger. For older people with many years of academic experience or for professionals from other relevant backgrounds (e.g. healthcare or publishing), starting salaries may be higher than a trainee rate. However, starting salaries are no indication of career progression and earning potential, and the rate at which your salary increases depends on how you progress. Experienced MedComms professionals are in demand, particularly those with extensive writing skills – it is not unknown for a writer to go from being a trainee to running their own department, or even their own company, within a few years.


11So you want to be a medical writer...

There’s an equation to describe medical writers:

Likes science × likes writing = medical writer

Training to be a medical writer is hard work as, despite your scientific background and your extensive publication record, there’s still a lot to learn.

Common characteristics of a medical writer in no particular orderEstablished scientistA doctorate and post-doc experience will be advantageous when applying for a job as a writer. The basic entry requirement is a science degree.

Enjoys writingYou are the type of person who enjoyed writing your thesis rather than seeing it as a necessary evil.

Good listenerWhereas in academia your opinion about your research area was valued, in MedComms, although you’ll be expected to have a good knowledge of numerous therapeutic areas, your opinion may not be asked for. You will be required to listen to the client and the medical experts, and to communicate their opinions.

Excellent research skillsYou will be expected to learn numerous new clinical fields very quickly. Although it’s always nice to get a project that is related to your research background, this doesn’t happen very often. For example, your existing knowledge may be in microbiology, but you may be expected to become an expert in psychiatry. You will have to be able to research new areas and to discuss the diseases with confidence in a variety of situations. This may seem like a daunting task, but you’ll be surprised at how far the research skills you developed during your doctorate can carry you.

PedanticIf the use of an apostrophe in a plural word makes your blood boil, or if you have ever told someone that it is ‘10 items or fewer’ not ‘10 items or less’ then you are a true pedant. This type of pedantry is often called attention to detail.


12 Comfortable with statisticsYou don’t have to be an expert in statistics, but presenting data and making them easy for doctors to understand will be part of your job. Medical statistics are a far cry from the odd t-test you had to do for your doctorate, and whereas you won’t be expected to number crunch, you will have to produce evidence-based arguments based on clinical data. A basic understanding of the analyses used in clinical trials will be essential, and you should find that you quickly learn various statistical concepts that are commonly used in clinical research.

Thick-skinnedIt may seem like a step backwards going from being a respected scientist to being a trainee, and learning to be a writer will be tough to begin with. You will hand over a piece of work on which you have spent hours, only to have it covered in comments by a senior writer. Nevertheless, if you stick with it, you will gradually develop a set of much sought-after skills. Once you become an experienced writer, this still doesn’t mean that people will love every word you write – many a beautiful piece of work has been picked apart by a client – so you have to be able to deal with it, and re-write it numerous times if necessary.

Applying for your first medical writing jobPreparing a good CV is essential when applying for any job, but when applying to be a writer, editorial accuracy is extremely important. Unlike other sectors, your CV and covering letter will be assessed by a panel of editors who will spot grammatical errors, spelling mistakes and clumsy sentences, and these things will not be forgiven. Also be careful about posts on social media that are in the public domain. Joining forums relevant to the job may be viewed favourably, but your posts will be scrutinised. Even posts that have no relevance to medical writing may be used to see if you are a suitable candidate, and whereas offensive comments attributed to you in the public domain are obviously going to be disadvantageous, even seemingly harmless posts may reveal your inability to construct a sentence.

Additional experienceWriting experience outside of your academic work will help get you noticed and will show that you have a genuine interest in communications. Getting published is easier than you think. Many of the academic societies produce a publication for their members and the editor will be happy to consider your contribution. For example, the Physiological Society produces Physiology News, a quarterly magazine, and the Genetics Society produces Genetics Society News, a bi-annual newsletter. Or if you are feeling really ambitious, you could enter a science writers’ competition.

Writing experience outside of your

academic work will help get you noticed


13Transferable skills When leaving academia it is very easy to understate your skills and experience. Something you may consider to be a mundane everyday task may represent a valuable skill to a potential employer.

Skill Example

Writing Doctoral thesis, peer-reviewed manuscripts, slide presentations, conference posters/abstracts, grant applications

Presentation skills Transfer talk, conference presentations, journal club

Project management Designing experiments and scheduling resources

Project leading and mentoring Mentoring project students, teaching/demonstrating

Teamwork Liaising with colleagues and collaborating with other research groups

Discussing science with experts Confidently discussing complex issues with leading experts (e.g. in the pub on a Friday night)

The writing testAs part of the interview process, you will be asked to do a writing test. Sometimes this will be before you are invited to interview, and sometimes after your first interview. There is no industry standard for the test. Examples of what you may be asked to write include:

• an abstract for a poster or a manuscript

• a mini review based on a small number of papers that have been supplied

• a news article based on a conference report, manuscript or other background documents

• a conference report based on a slide presentation and abstract book.

Whatever the task, it is important that you prepare properly. Even if your writing skills are excellent, you are unlikely to be an expert in drafting clinical documents or on the rules of writing marketing copy for a medicine. Don’t worry though, because the reviewers will not expect you to be an expert, but they will be looking for:

• attention to detail – avoid spelling mistakes and grammatical errors

• structure and flow – provide a well-structured document with a logical flow of ideas

• simplicity – don’t overcomplicate the project by doing extensive background research about the disease; it is unlikely that a writing test will need this, and the test nearly always involves reporting the information you have been given.

The agency will probably give you a guide to how long the test should take. You may find that it takes quite a bit longer, but this is fine and is often the case. If you go over the suggested time by days, rather than hours, maybe consider other roles within the agency.


14Using your initiative can make all the difference when it comes to getting through the writing test. For example, if you are asked to write a newsletter aimed at nurses, buy a copy of Nursing Times to get an idea of pitch and tone. Also, there are many guides to medical writing available, which are definitely worth a read before attempting the test. How to Publish in Biomedicine, by Jane Fraser, gives excellent advice and tips (further details are available on facing page).

However, sometimes using too much initiative can be an applicant’s downfall. If you already know someone who is a medical writer, it is fine to ask for advice, but do not ask them to do the test for you. The people reviewing your test will know what standard to expect based on the experience outlined on your CV. If you get offered the job based on dishonesty, you will be found out when the work you produce on your own falls below the standard of your test.

As well as a writing test, you may be asked to complete an editing test to assess your eye for detail. If you use standard editing marks, this will be viewed favourably, although this is not what is being tested so it is fine to mark-up the mistakes using whatever method suits you.

Editing testThe following editing test contains 20 editorial errors – these include errors of spelling, punctuation, grammar, consistency or meaning. For fun, how many can you spot? (Answers on page 15.)

Over a median followup of 8.4 years, 64 patients (9.7%) experienced disease recurrence

(median time to recurrence 5.6 years). The 5, 10- and 15year recurrence-free probabilites

were 0.93, 0.87, and 0.81, respectivly. Using time-to-event estimates to adjust for

differences in follow-up between groups, radiotherapy was found to reduce tumour

recurrence in patients who received a sub-total resection (p<0.001) but not in those

undergoing gross-total resection of the tumor (p=0.63). Multivariate analysis identified

cavernous sinus invasion (hazard ration 3.6, 95% CI 1.5-6.4, p<0.001) and STR without

radiotherpy (HR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4–14, p=.01) predictive of an increase in disease recurrence.

Median follow-up for overall survival was 14.0 year. The 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-year estimates

for overall survival were 0.91, 0.81, 0.69 and 0.55, respectively. Mortality was higher

in patients who underwent radiotherapy with or without SRT than would have been

expected in the general USA population.

The interview Most agencies select candidates based on one short interview, or perhaps two. I’ve never heard of MedComms agencies running day-long interviews, or asking candidates to undergo tests not directly related to writing. By the time you have been invited to an interview, you should have passed the writing test, although some agencies may ask you to complete another short writing test when you attend the interview. If this is the case, they should let you know before what to expect. You may be asked to give a presentation, but again, you will be told what you need to prepare before the interview.


15Further informationAnswersOver a median follow-up of 8.4 years, 64 patients (9.7%) experienced disease recurrence

(median time to recurrence 5.6 years). The 5-, 10- and 15-year recurrence-free

probabilities were 0.93, 0.87,_ and 0.81, respectively. Using time-to-event estimates to

adjust for differences in follow-up between groups, radiotherapy was found to reduce

tumour recurrence in patients who received a sub-total resection (STR) (p<0.001) but not

in those undergoing gross-total resection of the tumour (p=0.63). Multivariate analysis

identified cavernous sinus invasion (hazard ration [HR] 3.6, 95% confidence interval

[CI] 1.5–6.4, p<0.001) and STR without radiotherapy (HR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4–14, p=0.01) as

predictive of an increase in disease recurrence. Median follow-up for overall survival was

14.0 years. The 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-year estimates for overall survival were 0.91, 0.81, 0.69

and 0.55, respectively. Mortality was higher in patients who underwent radiotherapy with

or without SRT STR than would have been expected in the general USA population.

Useful booksCreating Effective Conference Abstracts and Posters in Biomedicine. Jane Fraser, Louise Fuller and Georgina Hutber, CRC Press, 2009. Available from www.crcpress.com ISBN-13 9781846193118

Getting Research Published, An A-Z of Publication Strategy Third Edition. Elizabeth Wager, CRC Press, 2015. Available from www.crcpress.com ISBN-13 9781785231384

Guidelines for Reporting Health Research: A User’s Manual. David Moher (Editor), Douglas Altman (Editor), Kenneth Schulz (Editor), Iveta Simera (Editor), Elizabeth Wager (Editor), Wiley-Blackwell, 2014. Available from www.wiley.com ISBN-13 9780470670446

How to Publish in Biomedicine Second Edition. Jane Fraser, CRC Press, 2008. Available from www.crcpress.com ISBN-13 9781846192630

Careers supportFirstMedCommsJob – www.firstmedcommsjob.com

NextMedCommsJob – www.nextmedcommsjob.com

Professional bodiesAssociation of the British Pharmaceutical Industry – www.abpi.org.uk

European Medical Writers Association – www.emwa.org

Healthcare Communications Association – www.hca-uk.org

International Society for Medical Publication Professionals – www.ismpp.org

Society for Editors and Proofreaders – www.sfep.org.uk

Pharmaceutical industry news, views and informationMedComms Networking – www.medcommsnetworking.com

PharmaFile – www.pharmafile.com

pharmaphorum – www.pharmaphorum.com

PharmaTimes – www.pharmatimes.com

Pharmaceutical Executive – www.pharmexec.com

PMLiVE – www.pmlive.com

The Publication Plan – www.thepublicationplan.com


16 Matthew BexonMedical Writer, inScience Communications, part of Springer HealthcareWhile my route into medical writing was probably not the most traditional, it certainly gave me a lot of valuable experience that I use on a day-to-day basis.

After graduating I decided to forgo further education and began looking for jobs; toying with the idea of teaching, I began working in a secondary school supporting children with special

educational needs. While it was a rewarding role I didn’t feel challenged enough and I wanted to make better use of my degree.

After deciding teaching wasn’t for me, I began to look for more scientific roles, and with no particular job in mind I kept a wide view and looked at a number of industries. Eventually I found a role within a scientific publishing company – scanning journal content for articles of interest to pharmaceutical companies. This role gave me a great overview of scientific publishing as well as insights into the pharmaceutical industry. After gaining valuable experience within the industry I began to look at medical writing careers, as I had always enjoyed writing and this felt like the next logical step in my career. After applying for a role with inScience Communications and successfully completing the writing test I accepted a position as an associate medical writer.

Within the first few months I had a lot to learn but rapidly gained experience drafting various deliverables such as meeting posters, manuscripts, slide sets, apps, websites and satellite

symposia material to name a few, as well as having the opportunity to go onsite and assist at a congress, a great learning experience. Despite being relatively new I quickly became a valued member of the team both inhouse and externally with clients and vendors.

A year later I was promoted to medical writer having gained more responsibility within my accounts,

more experience onsite and greater exposure to a variety of projects. A particular highlight was delivering ten events at one meeting over 4 days! I’ve always enjoyed learning and over the past 2 years I’ve learnt (and continue to learn) a lot about the pharmaceutical industry as well as many diseases and therapy areas.

The clear progression pathway of medical writing is attractive and gives me something to strive towards. One of the main things I enjoy about medical writing is that every day is different, always bringing new experiences, and I value the opportunity to continually learn and challenge myself.

One of the main things I enjoy

about medical writing is that

every day is different

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17Catherine BraggScientific Director, GeoMed, part of the Ashfield Division of UDG Healthcare plcI love my job – I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. No day is the same; I could be supporting authors with developing a paper on a clinical trial, or liaising with consultants to write a slide set to educate physicians on an important disease or I could be at an international conference taking notes on the latest therapeutic intervention. But how did I get here? I certainly didn’t plan on being in the medical writing profession, but I am really glad that I am! Let me share with you my journey.

I have always loved learning. I initially studied a degree and a PhD in chemistry at Manchester University, and I was subsequently able to secure a fantastic 2-year post-doc in Switzerland in chemistry. Following that I worked in industry as a chemist for 2 years, and then, at the time of my now-husband’s relocation and move to a new job, I decided to look for a new challenge for my career. I wanted to learn new things in science and medicine, to satisfy my hunger for knowledge, and I was fortunate enough to see an article in a newspaper about medical writing and began to research what I would need to do to secure a position as a trainee medical writer.

I was able to get an interview at GeoMed and I was determined that I would show the company that I was passionate about science, that I could interpret data and that I was confident that I could articulate my understanding in writing to communicate science to others. I had success! I was determined to work hard and the first year as a trainee was certainly a steep learning curve. The hard work and determination paid off – over the years I was promoted to medical writer, then to senior medical writer and then again to my current role as scientific director.

Eleven years on and I haven’t looked back – except to say that I have had the pleasure to meet some of the most intelligent, driven, articulate and fun people along my journey – friends that I will have for life! The exposure to disease areas has been fascinating, and the variety of work so stimulating, and has included working on: publications, scientific posters, slides, training kits, newsletters, product monographs and sales aids.

GeoMed is a truly fantastic place to work – the teamwork, support, knowledge and dedication to the work is second-to-none. The social side is good too – we have just had ‘Pizza Tuesday’, there is bowling next week and ‘Cake Wednesday’, where people take it in turns to bake a cake for everyone to enjoy.

My advice would be that if you love science, medicine and learning, and if you feel that you can express your knowledge in a logical manner via different communication channels, and attention to detail is important to you, then this may also be the job for you!

As for my future, well, I’m relocating again (with my husband’s job), but this time my job is coming with me as I will be a home worker – GeoMed will provide me with remote IT facilities so I get to stay with a company and job that I love! I am happy that I embarked on the journey into medical writing all those years ago.

The exposure to disease areas

has been fascinating, and the

variety of work so stimulating…

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18 Anna BousfieldSenior Healthcare Copywriter, H4B Manchester (part of the Havas Lynx Group)Today, I interviewed someone living with multiple sclerosis. Yesterday, I wrote a voiceover script for an animation video. Next week, I’m writing tweets and Facebook posts for a new social media campaign. And besides the amazing people and the free biscuits, that’s what I love most about my job – no 2 hours are ever the same, let alone days.

When I left the University of Sheffield with a degree in neuroscience, I had no idea what I wanted to do. All I really knew was what I didn’t want to do. I didn’t want to go into research – labs were the bit I enjoyed least at uni, they never seemed to go as planned. And I didn’t want to go into medicine – too much pressure! But what I did go into was the nearest bar, where I managed to get a part-time job whilst I pulled myself together and asked myself the question I had asked a thousand times before… what would I be?

Looking back, I should have known. At school I loved English literature and seemed to excel in science, particularly biology. Combine the two and what do you get? A writer who writes about science, health, wellbeing. But at the time, I didn’t know that existed. My first job in the industry was as an editorial assistant at a traditional MedComms company. Whilst I learnt a lot, I knew it wasn’t the job for me. It was heavily based in science research – publications, posters, abstracts. I was looking for something a bit different. I was craving a bit more creativity. But science and creativity seemed a million miles apart to me. Then I began working at H4B Manchester.

I got the job very much by chance. A friend mentioned the company to me and, although I’d never heard of them, I really liked their ethos. After an initial interview, I knew it was the place for me. And now, four and a half years later, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve managed to achieve the perfect

balance between science and creativity that I never knew was possible. This means I can write about the mode of action of a new treatment in the morning, and then work on creative concepts for a disease awareness campaign in the afternoon.

At H4B Manchester, we see people as people – not as patients. And it’s the people that I work with who keep me going when it can sometimes get a bit hairy. I love working with different people, collaborating and sharing

ideas, working on concepts until the late evening just to have the moment where we know we’ve hit on something big! From scientists to designers. From writers to motion graphic experts. I get to meet some amazing people in my job and try to learn a little something from each and every one of them.

My advice to you? If you love science, medicine, people, writing, creativity, then a job as a healthcare copywriter might just be right for you. Don’t assume all medical writing is just about the science. Of course the science is key; it lays the ground rules. But it’s also about the people. People and their personal stories. It’s up to us to tell these stories. And it’s down to you how you want to tell them.

I get to meet some amazing

people in my job and try to

learn a little something from

each and every one of them

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19Ben DeanMedical Writer, 7.4 LimitedI work as a medical writer now, but just over 3 years ago I knew practically nothing about medical science. I’d just spent 4 years collecting behavioural data for my DPhil in zoology by glueing GPS receivers, pressure gauges and accelerometers to seabirds. For me, the lab was already a dim and distant memory, and I had only the vaguest idea of how a clinical trial worked or what the difference was between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

So why medical writing? For me, it wasn’t about escaping academia, it was about practicalities. I loved research, but when I finished my DPhil, my options for continuing in academia were in other cities or other countries, and I needed to stay around Oxford. Besides which, I didn’t really fancy having to scratch around for funding every couple of years, or run the gauntlet of the journal review process for the rest of my working life.

Thinking that the only transferable skill I had to offer was data analysis, I sat down to look for analytical jobs in Oxford, hoping to find something that would make use of my scientific training. Luckily, one of the first companies I applied to came straight back to say that my CV and covering letter were really nicely written and would I be interested in applying as a medical writer?

I had no idea what a medical writer was, so I did a bit of research and came across a few pieces like this one, by scientists working as writers. It seemed like an interesting job that ticked many of the boxes that were important to me – and this has been borne out by an enjoyable first 3 years.

It’s a job that allows you to apply your scientific training to new challenges and learn about new areas of science. There are opportunities in a wide variety of agencies working on different types of projects, be it publications, symposia and workshops, or websites and animations. Some agencies really embrace the use of visually engaging data visualisations, so if, like me, you love making data beautiful as well as accurate and informative, there are opportunities out there to exercise any artistic talents alongside your scientific skills. That’s why I eventually moved on from my first agency to 7.4. So, while you might need to move around a little bit until you find the right agency for you, there’s bound to be a good fit out there. And good writers are always in demand, so there’s excellent job security, support and camaraderie if working in an established agency, and the potential for freelancing if you ever need the flexibility in the future.

If that sounds like the sort of thing you’d like, you should consider applying for medical writing jobs. Most agencies will appreciate a well thought out CV and covering letter as a first point of contact. This is your opportunity to show them that you can write, communicate information clearly and apply high editorial standards. If they like what they see, you’ll most likely be asked to complete a writing test, followed by an interview or two.

So even if you’ve never heard of MedComms, even if you’ve no idea what the difference between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics is, and especially if your background is in something interesting like zoology – why not give it a go?

It’s a job that allows you to

apply your scientific training to

new challenges and learn about

new areas of scienceP

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20 Philip FordDirector of Scientific Strategy, inVentiv HealthMy story starts in much the same way as that of most of my colleagues: I found scientific research could be extremely rewarding, but those moments were sparse, and it felt like something was missing.

The major portion of my career has been in what you might call ‘traditional’ MedComms. I worked for the Nucleus Group for 8 years in both Asia Pacific and Europe on educational meetings,

publications and advisory boards: all the traditional deliverables. Once you master these, develop your network of healthcare providers and have a deep understanding of how a pharmaceutical product is developed and commercialised, the plan is that you’ve earned the right to advise a client on their strategy, and it’s been my privilege to be involved in putting together and executing the global strategies for six blockbuster products in recent years.

I recently joined InVentiv Health and, after 15 years in MedComms, I was surprised that I’m seeing things from a different angle again. A large part of the company philosophy is to approach a problem based on insight. That process goes something like this: 1) define the size and shape of the problem with the best intelligence available; 2) put that intelligence in front of the best minds you can gather and have them debate it; 3) propose a solution to your client that brings together that insight, challenged by those with experience of what actually works. The really interesting thing at InVentiv is what can happen when you have the ability to bring together best-in-class

MedComms, advertising and PR agencies. The longer I’ve spent in the industry the more I’ve seen that effective solutions rarely come from a single discipline and that the very best work is the result of bringing together the different ways of thinking from across various functions.

My current role means I do a lot less of the day-to-day writing and producing, but still the most satisfying aspect of all this for me is when I sit in a room surrounded by the sharpest minds in the field and get to listen to them interpret new data and get excited about how, back in the real world, this will change things for their patients.

It’s a privilege, but also a great responsibility. In taking these interpretations, and using them to help a client put together a plan for their product and ensure that it is used as it should be, it is essential that you are a strong link in the very long chain that has got a product to where it is: researchers, clinical scientists, regulatory experts, patent attorneys, marketers, volunteers and patients have all contributed a significant amount along the way, and a medical writer can play a significant part in ensuring all of that effort is properly described and understood.

I hesitate greatly to give advice (it makes me feel old if nothing else), but I would encourage anyone who wants to make a success of themselves in this industry to expose themselves to as many sides of it as possible, and always have the courage to challenge, as long as your opinion is based on the best possible insights.

It’s been my privilege to be

involved in putting together

and executing the global

strategies for six blockbuster

products in recent years

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21Elizabeth HartfieldMedical Writer, Oxford PharmaGenesis As an aspiring scientist, I was always certain that I would spend my career in the laboratory, working on cutting-edge research and helping to contribute to healthcare breakthroughs. After 4 years of post-doctoral research, I was running out of steam and, surprisingly, I found myself more interested in reading and writing papers than in working at the bench. When I first heard about MedComms, it was an unknown and mysterious field to me. However, after attending a networking event at the

University of Oxford, I was convinced that I would be well suited to a career in medical writing and, more importantly, that I would enjoy it.

I have now been working as a medical writer at Oxford PharmaGenesis for 2 years. Although it was a difficult decision to leave scientific research, I have not looked back! I have been involved in many different projects in various disease areas and have had the opportunity to travel overseas to attend and provide support at a range of scientific meetings. The work is varied and it is definitely not a case of writing research manuscripts all day. I work on a broad spectrum of materials, including manuscripts, slide decks, training and patient educational materials, product monographs, systematic reviews, regulatory material and more. I feel that I am still involved in helping patients by enabling high-quality clinical research to be published in peer-reviewed journals. Furthermore, Oxford PharmaGenesis is involved in developing evidence-based policy initiatives with an aim of improving global health. This requires political as well as scientific and economic insight, and therefore involves a ‘HealthScience’ approach.

I was surprised at how easy the transition from bench scientist to medical writer has been. The skills that I had already acquired in the laboratory have been readily applied to writing: attention to detail, literature research and critical evaluation of data are all very important. Oxford PharmaGenesis offers a supportive training environment in which you can hone your skills on the job and are part of the team from day one. Learning about a variety of diseases and exciting new products, as well as knowing that our work makes a difference, definitely keeps me interested and motivated.

If you are looking for a career in which you are involved in cutting-edge science without having to do the practical work, I would highly recommend medical writing.

Learning about a variety of diseases

and exciting new products, as well

as knowing that our work makes

a difference, definitely keeps me

interested and motivated

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22 Amy JacksonEditorial Director, Fishawack CommunicationsI was an unutterable square at school. Secondary school that is – at primary school I was delightful, happily skipping for hours on end and ordering and re-ordering my excellent rubber collection; there was no sign at all of the unfortunate quadrilateral that was later to emerge. I loved learning. I loved everything – English, languages, sciences, maths and the humanities. This (considerably less gifted) love child of Newton and Austen was born for GCSEs. But what was to become of me? Choosing

A-levels and then a degree course was tough as I vacillated dramatically between wanting to concentrate on the arts and the sciences. So I did what any sensible vacillator would do – I did a mishmash of A-levels and went on to study archaeology and anthropology. Plenty of science in archaeology (no, really), none in social anthropology (yay!) and lots in biological anthropology (clue’s in the name). I then went on to do an MPhil at Cambridge in biological anthropology (my favourite). So, like most medical writers, I was a square, but unlike most writers I neither have a strong science background nor a PhD.

Still pursuing my dream of not wanting to specialise, I fell into scientific publishing in London. It was a solid training ground: I honed my eye for detail and mastered the skill of getting to grips with totally unfamiliar subjects quickly. However, after a few years, I sought a new challenge, this time in MedComms (somehow, editing the Lichenologist didn’t feel like the glamorous publishing job of my dreams). I would never have heard of the industry unless a friend (with a proper science

background) had made the leap. He took me on, forgetting that I was cut from a different cloth. From solid editing, I took a hybrid editing/writer job and then changed agencies to work at Medicus International as a medical writer.

Forced out of London by the cost of housing, we fell upon ‘value-for-money’ Oxford (so naïve!) and I secured a senior writer job at Fishawack. After more than

8 years, I’m still here. I am now involved in line management and resourcing but still enjoy being able to write a wide variety of materials for a range of media. It continues to be a thrill to interact with world-renowned experts, and it’s also an eye-opening experience at times. It is humbling to take their gift – their ideas – and wrap it up in prose that is accessible. At times I am even able to see how what we do makes a difference.

My message is that it doesn’t matter what you’ve studied at university or what you’ve studied since, if you like writing and can pick up new areas quickly, medical writing could be for you. Throw your mass spectrometer in the air and apply today!

If you like writing and can pick

up new areas quickly, medical

writing could be for you

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23Andreas LeidenrothSenior Medical Writer, highfield:communicationOne of the most enjoyable aspects of my PhD was the opportunity to present my research at congresses and in publications. At university I was also very involved in several public ‘outreach’ science communication events and so, when I first heard about medical writing, I was immediately attracted by the unique blend of science and communication.

After attending a MedComms Networking event, I joined Oxford PharmaGenesis as a medical writer – before I had even graduated. In the end, I had to use the first few days of my precious annual leave for my viva – not much of a holiday!

When I started working, I soon realised that my writing skills were not quite refined enough to meet the high expectations of my very experienced writing mentor, our exacting editorial team or indeed our demanding client. After spending my first few months revising (and sometimes re-revising…) many of my drafts – and after some excellent training from my mentor – I eventually settled into my role as a ‘proper’ professional writer. As well as learning the tools of the trade, I also became familiar with respiratory medicine and oncology, and gained exposure to a wide variety of MedComms projects – from traditional congress publications and advisory boards to client-internal strategy documents.

After three enjoyable years at PharmaGenesis, I was offered the opportunity to join highfield:communication (h:c). For me, the most exciting aspect of my role is the chance to learn about different therapy areas from clinicians and researchers who are true leaders in their field. At h:c, I am fortunate to be working directly with many of the key experts in the anti-infectives therapy area. I also enjoy the close working relationship that we have with our clients; we really are part of their team, and they involve us in their internal meetings (and share all the latest insider industry news). It’s very satisfying to be treated as a strategic partner rather than ‘just a service provider’. The close integration with our clients also allows us to develop a deep understanding of their products and marketing objectives – so we can deliver insightful consultancy projects and content aligned with their strategic objectives.

I’m sure you’ve guessed it by now – I really enjoy my work. It’s much more varied than I first thought it would be; indeed, the ‘writing’ element of the ‘job title’ is merely a technical prerequisite for the really interesting projects that the industry has to offer. Once you’ve acquired the basic skills, you can start to focus on international meetings, publication planning, strategy and consultancy.

Right, I’m off to finish reviewing that manuscript draft… and then I might check my air mile balance – see you at the next congress?

For me, the most exciting aspect

of my role is the chance to learn

about different therapy areas

from clinicians and researchers

who are true leaders in their field

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24 Phil LongAssociate Medical Writer, Darwin Healthcare CommunicationsWhile studying pharmacology as an undergraduate at the University of Sunderland, I decided to take a sandwich placement for 1 year at the MRC in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, investigating changes in neurotransmitter receptors in schizophrenia and dementia. I found this work fascinating, and it helped me decide that I wanted to study neuroscience further, leading me to carry out a PhD at the School of Pharmacy in London. Following this, I took up a position as a post-doc

research associate at King’s College London and, subsequently, UCL. I worked on a variety of fascinating subjects during this time, including Parkinson’s disease, intellectual disability, rare childhood epilepsies and synapse formation. However, after the 1-year sandwich placement, the

4-year PhD and the 8 years as a post-doc, I was finding various aspects of academic life immensely frustrating. In addition to trying to determine for the 464th time why my western blot wasn’t working or why my PCR was producing the wrong-sized bands, the short-term nature of the positions and job insecurity were very discouraging. I saw many talented researchers struggle to gain funding, and I ended up working on a number of

contracts that lasted only a few months at a time. I was beginning to feel that I was in need of a new challenge, finally coming to the conclusion that maybe academia wasn’t for me after all, and I therefore made the decision to pursue a new career.

I began to attend lots of careers events and spoke to friends who had already made the decision to leave academia in order to explore my career options further. I started to think about areas of my job that I enjoyed the most and realised that as well as being near cutting-edge developments in science and medicine, communicating science to others was something I found hugely satisfying. I had attended a MedComms career day and knew a few people who had already made the transition into MedComms, so I realised that this was an area that ticked all the right boxes and decided to take the plunge myself.

I applied for a position as an associate medical writer at Darwin Healthcare Communications and was given a writing test and a couple of interviews before thankfully being offered the job. Having worked my entire academic career in neuroscience, I was suddenly introduced to a whole host of therapy areas that I hadn’t encountered since my undergraduate days and that I needed to refamiliarise myself with. I’ve since worked on a wide variety of projects, had interactions with clients and key opinion leaders and spent (a rather hectic) time onsite at an international conference.

During the past year, I’ve been fortunate to work with a great team at Darwin. Everyone has been friendly and supportive since the start and has shown a great willingness to show me the ropes. I haven’t regretted my decision to enter the MedComms industry for a second and I can’t wait to experience more.

I haven’t regretted my decision

to enter the MedComms

industry for a second

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25Alex MellorsMedical Writer, Prime Medica, part of The Prime Medical GroupAs I was reaching the end of a biochemistry degree, my friends were about to embark on their PhDs or teaching courses and I was left feeling uncertain about which path I should take. Although a PhD seemed like the next logical move, the highlight of my degree so far had been my final-year literary project and I doubted whether a PhD was necessarily right for me. I had a passion for science, but I also loved writing, and I wanted a job that would be creatively, as well as intellectually, stimulating.

Unsure of which direction I should take, I instead took a job as an analyst at a pharmaceutical company, while I saved up for a round-the-world trip. During this time I was able to gain valuable insight into the pharmaceutical industry and the drug development process. I was also able to work within the communications team, which aimed to promote the company and increase the profile of the site within the community. However, I knew that this wasn’t a long-term career option for me, and so, when I left to travel the world a year later, I was hoping inspiration would strike while I was away. And luckily, it did! A friend of mine sent me a job description for a medical writer, saying that she had stumbled across it and had thought of me. It seemed like I’d found everything I had been looking for in a career. It was an opportunity to be an integral part of scientific discovery without the confinements of a laboratory, and a role where I could utilise both my knowledge and passion for science and love of writing.

When I eventually returned to the UK, I immediately began to search for available entry-level positions. Originally, I was concerned that not having a PhD would hold me back. However, after sending my CV to several agencies, I received a number of positive responses. I completed several writing tests and interviews, and eventually accepted a job as an associate medical writer at Prime Medica.

A year on, I have been promoted to medical writer and I am still thoroughly enjoying my time here. I’ve already had the opportunity to work in a variety of therapeutic areas, and produce a diverse array of materials, such as primary manuscripts, review articles, slide decks, advisory board reports, detail aids, training manuals and content for digital platforms. I experience new challenges daily, I’m continually learning and, importantly, I have a job that I enjoy.

If you have a strong interest in science, enjoy writing, and are looking for a varied and challenging role with a clear progression pathway, medical writing may well be the career for you.

I experience new challenges

daily, I’m continually learning

and, importantly, I have a job

that I enjoy

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26 Laura McDonaghScientific Team Leader, Caudex, part of McCann Complete MedicalI started my academic life with a biological sciences undergraduate degree at Imperial College London without a clear idea of where it would take me, but just knowing that I wanted to learn as much as I could and eventually work in something scientific. After my degree, I completed a Masters course at the Natural History Museum in London, followed by a PhD in molecular systematics at Exeter University.

My PhD primarily involved trawling through gigabytes of DNA sequencing data and analysing the phylogenetic patterns found, with the occasional day in the lab squashing up insects to generate even more genetic data. The part I enjoyed the most was bringing all of the data together and seeing the bigger picture of how everything fitted. It was this interest in the story telling aspect of scientific research that led me on my path into medical writing.

I started out as a trainee medical writer in a small independent agency in Cheshire in 2010, with a lot of hands-on experience on live projects from day one – this was both terrifying and at the same time provided a great opportunity to gain experience very quickly! After relocating to Oxford in 2011 due to a change in my partner’s job (…and overcoming the initial shock at the house prices!) I joined Caudex and have been working in the Oxford office for the past 4 years.

During my time at Caudex, I progressed to senior writer, and more recently to scientific team leader. I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of different therapeutic areas, with most of my time spent on publications accounts. Over the past year, I have become involved in supporting

Global Medical Affairs activities, which has allowed me to explore more creative avenues of medical writing – ranging from smart device training tools to interactive congress booth and meeting activities.

One of my proudest achievements is knowing that I can play a role (albeit as a small cog in a large machine) in making a real difference to the lives of people worldwide, whether it be helping clinicians present their latest potentially ground-breaking

research in a clear and well-structured manner, or forming part of a launch team for a new drug set to enter the market place and provide patients with new hope for their illness.

My advice to anyone currently in academia and wondering what to do next? If you have a passion for learning, good writing skills and an interest in combining your knowledge of science and research to communicate information to a variety of target audiences, consider medical writing as a valuable career option.

One of my proudest achievements

is knowing that I can play a

role… in making a real difference

to the lives of people worldwide

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27Céline TevlinAssociate Medical Writer, Elements Communications, part of the Obsidian Healthcare GroupNearing the end of my second post-doc, I was in a quandary. Do I go for a third post-doc and have to relocate again? Do I leave academia? What jobs would I be suitable for? Would I be able to continue using my scientific expertise? I was working in the highly specialised field of fungal sexual reproduction and, despite having a Nature paper to my name, securing further funding was proving difficult. I had just got married and wanted

stability from a career in which I could use my scientific training. I enjoyed lab work and designing experiments, but they weren’t strong enough reasons to stay in academia, so I started looking for a real job!

My introduction to medical writing happened quite by chance — I stumbled across an advert for a medical writer position when I was job hunting on Google one day. Intrigued, I decided to look into it more. Job descriptions required a passion for science, excellent attention to detail and the ability to write for a range of audiences. These were all strengths and skills I had honed while in academia. Shortly afterwards I found this careers guide, which answered a lot of my questions and gave me an ‘insider’ perspective of the industry, and I decided to take the plunge.

I began by sending my CV to recruitment agents and applying for entry-level positions. I was soon being asked to do writing tests and some interviews followed. I didn’t get the first few positions I applied for, but I didn’t lose hope, as I really enjoyed the writing tests, which I took as a good sign! Each writing test gave me a better idea of what was required, and I quickly realised I was capable of that standard. I then applied to Elements Communications and after completing a writing test and attending two interviews I was offered a job as an associate medical writer in November 2014.

Over a year into the job, I can honestly say that medical writing is everything I’d hoped for and more! Elements Communications takes a keen interest in the development of their employees and made sure from the start that I received training in all the different aspects of my job. No two days are the same and I’m constantly learning, with the chance to be creative in different ways. I also get to interact with key opinion leaders and hear the latest medical advances first hand while working on site at international conferences. Another perk of my job is getting to work with a great team. Throughout the majority of my academic career I worked alone, so now I really enjoying sharing the highs (and lows) of the job with my colleagues, and I find their support and encouragement motivates me to continually improve.

The transition from academia to medical writing hasn’t been all smooth sailing though. I’ve had to adapt from the relaxed environment of academia to meeting tight client deadlines and always having the client’s strategy in mind. Would I go back to academia now? Not a chance! The steep learning curve was well worth it. I have a job I love and I get to use my scientific skills to contribute to new and exciting projects. I can’t say fairer than that!

Would I go back to academia now?

Not a chance!P

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28Let’s get you startedWe’re here to help you learn

about careers in MedComms

and then,if you decide it’s of

interest, to help you get your

first job!

Good luck.

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29“I work in MedComms as a medical writer

and really enjoy the variety of working across different therapy areas. I’m always learning!”

Emma Bolton attended a careers event in 2015 and now works as a Medical Writer at Oxford PharmaGenesis.

“I work in MedComms because I really enjoy writing and this job lets me keep learning new science as

well as write – so it is a win-win scenario.”

Lisa Brackenbury attended a careers event in 2015 and now works as an Associate Medical Writer at Watermeadow, Ashfield Healthcare Communications.

“I work in MedComms because it has allowed me to move away from the bench and focus on writing manuscripts

and posters, with the option of moving between different therapy areas. I found out about the company by talking to

several members of staff at the careers event in Manchester (September 2015) and four months later here I am!”

Beth Bradshaw attended a careers event in 2015 and now works as an Associate Medical Writer at FireKite (GeoMed), Ashfield Healthcare Communications.

“I work in MedComms because I realised that I enjoyed writing my PhD thesis more than working in the lab. Now I can apply my scientific knowledge and the skills that I developed during my PhD to a range of tasks and projects, whilst working with a great team of people. The diversity of the tasks that come my

way also help fuel my curiosity and passion for learning!”

Jessica Donaldson attended a careers event in 2015 and now works as a Medical Writer at Fishawack Communications.

“I work in MedComms after five and half years in the pharmaceutical industry, an MA in health care ethics

and law and an MSc in pharmacology. I found that the overall knowledge and skills that you can offer is more important than whether you have completed a PhD.”

Shelley Morris attended a careers event in 2015 and now works as an Associate Medical Writer at QXV Comms, Ashfield Healthcare Communications.

“I work in MedComms after completing my PhD in ovarian and breast cancer. After completing an industrial

placement year, as part of my undergraduate degree, in the research and development division at GSK and

while finalising the lab research for my PhD, I attended the careers event where people were able to answer my questions about MedComms and made me feel more confident about applying for a job in medical writing.”

Laura Mulcahy attended a careers event in 2015 and now works as an Associate Medical Writer at FireKite (GeoMed), Ashfield Healthcare Communications.

“I work in MedComms because I discovered that I love turning data into a story that’s engaging and

accessible, but became frustrated by the daily grind of getting that data. Thanks to the resources at MedComms Networking, I learned that I could use my talents outside

of academia and bypass the lab work! I now enjoy working in a fast-paced environment at the forefront of medical research, in which my DPhil is valued but

my days of failed experiments are behind me.”

Madeleine Pope attended a careers event in 2015 and now works as a Medical Writer at Porterhouse Medical.

“I work in MedComms and I love it because it combines my two passions for writing and science. I have learned

so much during my first year as a medical writer and feel that each day my knowledge and skill set are growing as I take on new and diverse challenges. Communicating

science in a clear and accessible way is something that I feel is of great importance, especially in today’s society, and I think specialist medical communications

companies are instrumental to achieving this.”

Jessica Sampson attended a careers event in 2015 and now works as a Medical Writer at highfield:communication.

“I work in MedComms because it allows me to use my creativity and scientific background on a daily basis.”

Laura Schmidt attended a careers event in 2015 and now works as a Medical Writer at Oxford PharmaGenesis.

I work in MedComms...

For details of careers events, plus much more, visit: www.FirstMedCommsJob.com

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Together We Can

We are a global agency providing comprehensive and innovative

medical communication services to the healthcare industry.

With a vibrant team environment, intensive on-the-job coaching

and a programme of targeted training, Adelphi provides the right

environment for professionals who want to make a difference.

Adelphi Communications Ltd Adelphi Mill

BollingtonMacclesfield

CheshireSK10 5JB

Contact email: [email protected]

www.adelphicommunications.com

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Med_Comm_Ad_LLv1 FOR PRINT.pdf 1 25/01/2016 17:11

2016 marks the 15th birthday of AMICULUM. Reflecting on this important milestone, it’s easy to draw parallels between our business and the crystals traditionally associated with the anniversary. Consider controlled growth, variety and clarity, for example. We are now seeking additional talented individuals to join our global team of 150 healthcare communications, learning and consulting professionals. To show us how you can shine, contact Richard Allcorn ([email protected]) or visit us at www.amiculum.bizShine with us

Communication is the key to making connections.

We translate energy into action, information into change.

We help our clients change patients’ lives. AS&K is a global full-service agency, priding ourselves on our ability to exceed our clients’ expectations.

Our colleagues are stimulated and engaged, passionate and unique.

We are always looking to hear from talented colleagues interested in finding out more about us.

[email protected]

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ACUMED BlueMomentum CircleScience Clinical Bridges CodonMedical Creative Fusion eMedFusion FireKite Galliard Gardiner-Caldwell Communications GeoMed iMed Comms Infusion InterPhase Consult Nyxeon Physicians World Europe

QXV Comms Scientific Connexions Seren Communications StemScientific Watermeadow Medical Zoetic Science

AshfieldHealthcare Communications

Reach HigherDiscover a fantastic new career in medical writing and medical communicationsGlobal healthcare communication agency seeks talented scientists Ashfield Healthcare Communications works with the biggest brands in pharma and healthcare from Europe, USA and Japan. With over 1,100 colleagues worldwide, we’re recognised as a leading practitioner in our field.

We’re looking for ambitious people with a science background and a flair for communication. If that’s you, then you already have the potential to enjoy an amazing career with us – whether you’re a new graduate or an accomplished post-doc.

No experience is necessary; we provide extensive training and development for the right people. As one of our team you’ll benefit from a clear path for advancement, diverse project work, very competitive salary and opportunities to travel the globe.

Reach out to discover more…Phone: 01625 664 089 Email: [email protected] www.ashfieldhealthcare.com

Ashfield Healthcare Communications Excellence. Connected.

part of udg healthcare plc

Follow us on

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Aspire Scientific offer paid work experience to talented and suitably qualified UK-based individuals who have or are working towards a PhD.

If you would like to find out more, then please email Jane Woodrow ([email protected]), with a copy of your CV and, to showcase

your writing skills, a 250-word summary of your current research focus.

Quote from a former member of our team, now working for a medical communications agency:"Working with Aspire alongside my academic role has been a fantastic experience. I have been involved in a range of oncology-based medical writing projects, which has given me a unique

insight into the industry. I thoroughly enjoyed completing each assignment and really benefitted from the constructive feedback I received from Aspire. I am now leaving academia having been offered a position with a MedComms agency. My time with Aspire not only helped to confirm my

career choice of medical writer, but I believe really helped with my interviews, allowing me to demonstrate a genuine interest in MedComms and my familiarity with the industry.“

Looking for paid work experience in medical communications/medical writing?

www.Aspire-Scientific.com Tel: 01625 575101

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Communicating science

with passion, flair and integrity needs

talented, creative and principled

individuals who love working together.

At Darwin, we take pride in creating

innovative high-science solutions across

all media that mesh seamlessly with

those of our advertising, digital and

market access partners.

So if you like the idea of astounding

our clients, get in touch.

[email protected] www.darwinhc.comOxford +44 (0) 1865 822555 London +44 (0) 20 3037 3600

Darwin Career quarter page 2016.indd 1 11/03/2016 12:11

At AXON we’re passionate about healthcare communications.

We love to decode complex scientific information to improve

outcomes in healthcare.

If you would like to know more about our collaborative, creative

and inspiring London-based team, take a look at our website:

www.axon-com.com

and get in touch, quoting ‘Career’, on

[email protected]

http://www.axon-com.com


www.bioscriptgroup.com

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United Kingdom • United States of America • Austral ia • Japan • China

Think all medical communications agencies are the same? Think again.The Envision Pharma Group is unique. We not only have an enviable heritage of industry-leading innovation in global medical communications, but in 2013 we became independent again. With a vision for continued growth, we are already realising our goals, which include an expanded service offering to our clients. This is an exciting time for our organisation, and a great time to join our team.

From our offices in the UK, US and the Asia Pacific region, we support an international portfolio of pharmaceutical and biotechnology company clients, providing a comprehensive blend of service offerings spanning:

We are seeking ambitious and talented medical writers to be part of our continued success.

So, what’s it like to work at the Envision Pharma Group? Well, it isn’t all about our clients – we are committed to developing and supporting our team members, enabling them to excel in their roles, and to maintaining a culture that recognises and rewards achievements. We offer excellent benefits and a friendly, supportive and dynamic work environment. To find out more visit www.envisionpharmagroup.com

Envision your future with us

• Strategic and tactical publication planning and implementation• Medical communications • Strategic communications consultancy

• Market access• Social and web media • Complementary technology platforms, including DatavisionTM

group of companies

The Fishawack Group is an independent global organisation of medical

communications agencies providing fresh thinking and a bespoke service.

We value individuality and openness, and offer comprehensive training and career progression across a diversity of roles.

According to American Indian folklore, those who encounter the Fishawack River are blessed with good fortune. If this could

be your destiny, then please contact:

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 01235 462 820 Twitter: @fishawack

Web: www.fishawack.com

Knutsford • Oxford • Brighton • Basel • Pennsylvania • CaliforniaElements Communications Ltd is part of the Obsidian Healthcare Group

Elements Communications is an independent ‘boutique’ medical communications agency, with offices in Westerham, Kent and Victoria, London

Our experience in managing and delivering global medical education programmes spans 20+ years and is at the heart of Elements’ core offering

We believe that the real difference is in the way we do business... Because we are passionate about what we do, we are happy doing it! We also believe in doing business the right way, with the needs of our clients and our people at the centre of everything we do

So if you’re looking for a fulfilling and rewarding career within a thriving agency, we’d love to hear from you

Email: [email protected]: www.elementscommunications.com

Our ethos is simple...

...the way we achieve success matters

...and the difference we make is clear

https://twitter.com/Fishawack

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Infectious ideas required

To apply for our Graduate Programme contact Aimee via: [email protected]

Great ideas. Doing good.

knowledge. experience. expertise.

Starting something new can seem like a huge step, but by joining the supportive team at highfield:communication – working in partnership with great clients – you can make it the right choice.

Our vibrant medical communications consultancy always delivers creative, high quality programmes – aiming to surpass client expectations every time.

Let us help you take that leap.

Come and join our friendly, enthusiastic and growing team.

Take the leap

For details of all current vacancies and our internship programme, please contact Carolyn at:

+44 (0)1865 [email protected]

59 St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1ST, UK

For further informationW: www.insightmw.comE: [email protected]

Insight MW are experts in clinical and regulatory writing. Our highly motivated and talented team provides an unparalleled service to the pharmaceutical industry.

Located in Oxford, we offer exciting career opportunities for individuals looking to move into medical writing, with extensive in-house and external training.

Exciting Career Opportunities

BS2533_insight_recruitment_ad_Page 2.indd 1 29/02/2016 16:19


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We have delivered strategic medical communications since 1982, making us one of the most experienced global medical communications agencies in the world.

With offices based in London, Cheshire and Philadelphia, our agency offers a wide variety of opportunities for a rewarding career. We are constantly evolving and regularly have vacancies within our teams.

If you are interested in being part of inScience Communications, please email:

[email protected] or visit www.insciencecommunications.com

Fulfil your potential with a career in medical communications

inVentiv Medical Communications is the med comms division of the wider inVentiv Health group. We do things a little differently from most agencies in that we don’t have job titles within the business and have a flat structure. This means that you will get the opportunity to develop your skillset at your own pace, and will be free to explore your interests in medical writing, account management, digital and more without having to have a defined job title or job role.

We regularly recruit people without prior industry experience, both as part of our annual graduate scheme and throughout the year. We offer a full year-long training scheme to new joiners, designed to give you a rounded skillset that will enable you to reach your full potential.

If you’re interested in joining a company with a global reach but a personal touch, please contact:

[email protected]

http://inventivmedcomms.com/

London – New York – Dallas – Munich – Shanghai


http://inventivmedcomms.com/

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Articulate Science | Chrysalis | Clinical Thinking | Cognito Medical | Digili�c | Health Interactions | IMNE | International Medical Press

Integress | Medical Expressions | MediTech Media | Nucleus Central | Nucleus X Market Access | Scienti�c Pathways | SciMentum

Nucleus Global is a group of international healthcare communications companies. We are approaching 600 employees around the globe, and have a reputation of scienti�c excellence and quality.

At Nucleus Global you will:

• Work at the cutting edge of medical science

• Develop and expand your scienti�c expertise

• Explore opportunities for international travel and secondment

• Experience a challenging and rewarding career

To �nd out more, or to apply, please go to: www.nucleus-global.com

Alternatively, please send a copy of your CV and covering letter to: [email protected]

Glasgow • London • Macclesfield • Oxford • Chicago • New Jersey • New York • San Francisco

McCann Complete Medical are excited to work in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry, providing a wide range of

innovative and class-leading services. We work on some of the most exciting healthcare products globally and provide a positive and challenging working environment for our staff.

Our people have clever and curious minds, courageous and committed hearts. We are incredibly proud of our people and

we aim to provide them with careers, not just jobs. Interested?

LOVE SCIENCE?COMMUNICATE IT!

[email protected] www.complete-grp.com

BDP78951b_MedComms Directory_Ad_180x125mm_Lndscp.indd 1 10/02/2016 13:45

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Figure out your future

[email protected] | www.porterhouse.biz

Want the chance to work in a globally-acclaimed agency, delivering high-impact programmes of work and exceeding clients’ expectations on a regular basis? Get in touch – we’d love to chat.

jan 2016 87.5x125mm.indd 2 19/02/2016 10:20

Oxford PharmaGenesis is committed to excellence. We value high-calibre life scientists with PhDs

who are passionate about quality communication and who want an exciting career where they can

help to make a difference.

What we offer• Exceptional training and development • Variety and job satisfaction• A career with opportunities for rapid progression• Colleagues who you can depend on• A great working environment• A competitive salary and benefits package

We currently have 150 employees in Oxford, London, Basel and Philadelphia and we are growing.

If you would like to be a part of our success, please apply direct to:

[email protected]

www.pharmagenesis.com

OXP015_ZP7586 Mag Ad 87x125 _ 05.indd 1 01/03/2016 10:40

Virgo Health Education is an award-winning agency with teams in

Richmond, Central London and New York.

We strive to create high-quality, insight-driven communications that are

real, relevant and above all...human.

It’s our exceptional people who make Virgo the agency it is. If you think you could be one of them, please contact:

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 0208 939 1275

Exciting things are happening at The Prime Medical Group!

Based in Manchester, with offices in London, New York and San Francisco, The Prime Medical Group

is one of the most established and respected global medical communications agencies. Working with some of the

most exciting organisations in healthcare, we continually strive to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients, from strategic support through to multi-channel medical communications.

Our VisionWhere people come first, science and creativity fuse

and truly outstanding communications flow is at the heart of our business.

Our success depends on our exceptional people. If you think you’ve got what it takes, we’d love to

hear from you.

E: [email protected]: 01565 752155

Manchester | London | New York | San Francisco


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Entry-level ConsultancyI offer a specialist consultancy for anyone looking for trainee medical writing,

editing or account management roles in the medical communications industry.

This service is set up specifically to support entry-level candidates.

Services include:• Overview of medical communications companies• Assistance with CV preparation• In-depth assessment of a practice writing test• Support with job applications• Interview preparation

For a preliminary discussion, please email or give me a call.

Karen Kent PhD

Tel: 01474 853 987 / 0778 626 1259 Email: [email protected]

Web: www.windhorseservices.co.uk

FirstMedCommsJob.comLet’s get you startedWe’re here to help you learn about careers in MedComms and then,if you decide it’s of interest, to help you get your first job! Good luck.

• Audio Interviews

• Videos

• Webinars

• Agency Showcase

• Jobs

• Careers Events

• Careers Guide

• News

• Specialist Recruiters

• Email Alerts

visit www.FirstMedCommsJob.com

http://www.windhorseservices.co.uk

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For more information and to apply, visit www.mmu.ac.uk/13620

or email Dr Sam Illingworth at [email protected]

Study for a Masters in Science Communication with option to specialise in medical writingAre you interested in pursuing a career in medical communications, but unsure where to start?

Or unclear what qualifications you need to succeed?

Manchester Metropolitan University is offering a brand new MSc in Science Communication with the option to specialise in medical writing. The medical writing components of this programme have been developed in conjunction with world-leading medical communications companies and include teaching and input from professionals and industry leaders.

This is an innovative, hands-on course delivered by internationally renowned experts in the fields of science communication, medical writing and healthcare science.

Why join EMWA?For its members, EMWA offers

• Opportunity to attend bi-annual conferences held throughoutEurope

• Wide-rangingcertifiedtrainingatfoundationandadvancedlevels

• Introduction to emerging and developing areas throughAnnualSymposiumDays

• Extended learning opportunities for experienced membersthroughSpecial InterestGroups (SIGs) and theExpert SeminarSeries(ESS)

• Networkingopportunities

• QuarterlyfreeprintissueofMedicalWritingJournal

• Freewebinarsontopicsofinterestwithinmedicalcommunications

• Discountsonbooks,insurances,software,etc

EMWA conferencesEMWA’smain conference takes place inMay each year; a shortermeetingisheldinNovember.EMWAconferencesprovideextensive,cost-effective, professional training in the form of small groupworkshops, forums for networking and active discussions. DuringSpringconferences,aone-daySymposiumisorganisedtoaddressa‘hottopic’.TheSymposiumblendspodiumpresentationsandpaneldiscussions to ensure free flowing dialogue between speakers andpanellists and allows ample opportunity for audience questions.In addition, EMWA conferences offer an excellent opportunityto benefit from the experiences of othermedical communicationprofessionals.The conferences have a relaxed, friendly atmospherethat is ideal for networking and that enables attendees to meetcolleaguesatallstagesintheircareers.

How do I join EMWA?Gotowww.emwa.orgoremail:[email protected]

TheEuropeanMedicalWritersAssociation(EMWA)isanassociationcommittedtorepresenting, supporting and trainingmedical communication professionals. It hasmorethan1,000membersfromalloverEuropeandbeyond,representingallsectorsofmedicalwriting.Membersworkinthepharmaceutical,biotechandmedicaldeviceindustries,medicalcommunicationsagencies,journalpublishing,medicaltranslations,andelsewhere.Membersarepredominantlyemployedorfreelancemedicalwriters,editorsortranslators.EMWAisanot-for-profitorganisation,runbyitsmembersforitsmembers.

EMWA Advert 180x125.indd 1 25/02/2016 14:44

At Darwin, we’re all about communication. As you might

expect, given that we’ve won awards for it.

So even though it’s time to say goodbye to the guide for this

year, we’d like to remind you that everything still starts with

“hello”, including No 1 hits but also your career.

We love to make new friends, so if you have what it takes to

surprise and delight our clients, we hope you’ll get in touch.

Remember, it only takes one word to begin a relationship –

although a CV would also be appreciated. Don’t be a stranger!

Everything starts with...

(is it you we’re looking for?)

LondonLynton House7–12 Tavistock SquareLondonWC1H 9LT UKT +44 (0)20 3037 3600

OxfordSterling HouseOxford Road Kingston BagpuizeOxon OX1 3 5AP UKT +44 (0)1865 822555

[email protected] www.darwinhc.com

Darwin Career Backpage A4 2016.indd 1 11/03/2016 12:08

From academic - Newcastle · PDF fileFrom academic to medical writer ... NetworkPharma since 2007 to run sessions aimed at showcasing career options within MedComms. ... • The...

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