Technical Writer and Editor

Overview

We are seeking a technical writer and editor to support development of clear, accurate scientific and technical communications products for Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s (ORNL’s) research and scientific staff and programs. This position will report to the Technical Communications manager and assist customers across the lab. This position resides in the Technical Communications Group within the Communications and Community Engagement Directorate at ORNL.

The successful candidate will edit, revise, and rewrite a variety of scientific and technical documents in collaboration with ORNL researchers and scientists. This person will revise complex written material and products such as technical reports, journal articles, presentations, proposals, procedures, technical specifications, and nominations.

• Collaborate with Communications colleagues, researchers, and scientists to produce compelling materials that clearly and effectively communicate research findings, technical developments, and other news and information from organizations and programs across the lab to internal and external audiences, including scientifically trained researchers and sponsors, scientific peers, executive leadership, and industry partners.
• Edit, revise, and rewrite scientific and technical documents and visual materials for research staff to enhance clarity, coherence, and organization while ensuring compliance with established rules of grammar and syntax.
• Edit and revise the manuscripts of nonnative speakers, enhancing their accuracy and readability to ensure a high rate of acceptance in open-literature publications.
• Understand complex science- and technology-related research and programs and edit and revise summaries, overviews, plans, nominations, letters, and other documents based on research, technical data, and results in collaboration with researchers and scientists.
• Suggest visual materials in support of scientific needs and collaborate with graphic artists to develop effective products.
• Ensure publications meet ORNL’s or the outside publisher’s requirements and are effectively managed through their completion or delivery.
• Mentor authors to help them improve their writing skills and enhance their products. Prepare and give presentations and tutorials for technical and research staff upon request.
• Work with electronic publishers, graphic artists, photographers, video producers, and reproduction staff to ensure professional quality and adherence to budgets and schedules.
• Understand and apply ORNL publications standards and styles or external (e.g., journal, sponsor) guidelines. Adhere to DOE publishing requirements.
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements.
• Maintain a strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.

Basic Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree, preferably in English or related field or a STEM field
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in technical or science editing and writing or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• A master’s degree in English, technical writing, or a STEM field and experience editing the work of researchers in scientific and technical fields for style, tone, consistency, and grammatical correctness are preferred.
• Should have a command of standard American English style and usage, as demonstrated by writing and editing samples, and experience with The Chicago Manual of Style and other standard style guides such as ACS Guide to Scholarly Communication and IEEE Editorial Style Manual.
• Should have excellent attention to detail; the ability to simultaneously handle multiple assignments; excellent verbal communication skills; the confidence to work both independently and with all levels of executive leadership, researchers, and staff in a team-based environment; and skills in solving problems and developing and implementing solutions. Should have the ability to grasp scientific and technical concepts and help clearly communicate them to a general science-interested audience as well as a more scientifically trained audience such as researchers and…