Principal Medical Writer

Overview:

Principal Medical Writer, Publications

Client has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Medical Writer at an award-winning, best-in-class, in-house agency at a major pharma company. Join our newly established MCS Medical Communications Team-a dynamic start-up focused on redefining how scientific stories are told. This team combines the agility of a start-up while collaborating with a global leader, offering opportunities to shape innovative strategies from the ground up. We deliver impactful digital, video, augmented/virtual reality, and print solutions, with a strong emphasis on creativity, scientific rigor, and client partnership. Be part of a group consistently recognized for innovation and execution and help us set new benchmarks in medical communications.

The Principal Medical Writer is a strategic and scientific leader responsible for the development of high-quality, peer-reviewed publications (e.g., manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and presentations) that support the dissemination of clinical and scientific data. This role collaborates cross-functionally with internal teams and external stakeholders, including authors, key opinion leaders (KOLs), and publication planning groups, to ensure timely and compliant delivery of publication objectives. The ideal candidate should be a medical writer with a terminal scientific degree who has gained experience from a medical communications agency and delivers exceptional content in live, virtual, and digital settings.

The Principal Medical Writer will be accountable for drafting and reviewing scientifically accurate, original content for medical affairs clients across therapeutic areas, including outcomes research. The Principal Medical Writer will work with clients and the agency's Medical Writing Team Lead to plan and develop high-impact, innovative medical communications for assigned products.

Success in this role will be defined by the individual's ability to develop accurate and relevant medical communication deliverables for medical affairs clients with limited oversight across all assigned engagements. The Principal Medical Writer will play a significant role in account growth by building trust with clients through scientific exchange and expertise in one or more key areas of across Merck's developing and established pipeline.

Agency Mission

Our Company's best-in-class creative agency that is integrated within all Divisions, committed to leveraging the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world, by delivering innovative, engaging, and effective content to all stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Leads the planning, development, and execution of scientific publications across therapeutic areas, ensuring alignment with publication strategy and scientific integrity

• Writes and edits manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and slide decks for congress presentations in accordance with ICMJE and GPP guidelines

• Collaborates with cross-functional teams including Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Biostatistics, and Regulatory Affairs to gather and interpret data

• Serves as an expert in publication standards, journal/congress requirements, and best practices in scientific communication

• Provides strategic input into publication planning and contribute to publication steering committees

• Ensures compliance with internal policies, industry standards, and applicable regulations

Skills

• Advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD) in life sciences or related field

• Proven track record of authoring peer-reviewed manuscripts and congress materials

• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Deep understanding of clinical research, data interpretation, and scientific communication

• Familiarity with publication planning tools (e.g., Datavision) and reference management software

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Required Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of medical writing experience, with a strong focus on publications

• Experience working in a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical communications agency setting

• CMPP certification