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Freelance Science Writer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Keep current on news and scientific discoveries relating to each category, coming up with original ... Find and cultivate freelance writers, assign articles to them, and work closely with authors on ...

Freelance Science Writer information

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$7

$23

$32

How much do freelance science writer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance science writer in Virginia is $23.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.24 and $25.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a freelance science writer do?

A freelance science writer writes scientific content. Your duties are to research topics, write appropriate material, proofread and edit, check for accuracy, and then submit to a platform. You create content for all levels of understanding and work to explain complex issues in a relatable way. In some situations, you need to have your writing peer-reviewed before publishing. Freelance science writers can write articles for magazines, newspapers, journals, blogs, websites, and even their own books. You can write first and then search for a publisher or find a job looking to contract an independent writer for the job.

What does a freelance science writer do?

A freelance science writer researches, writes, and edits content about scientific topics for various clients, including magazines, websites, academic institutions, and businesses. Their work may involve translating complex scientific information into clear, engaging articles, blog posts, press releases, or technical documents for a general audience. Freelance science writers often pitch story ideas, conduct interviews with experts, and work on a project-by-project basis, allowing for flexibility and a diverse range of assignments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance science writer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Science Writer, you need a solid background in science or journalism, excellent research abilities, and strong writing skills, often supported by a relevant degree or writing portfolio. Familiarity with citation management tools, publication platforms, and content management systems is typically required. Outstanding communication, adaptability, and the ability to translate complex scientific concepts for diverse audiences are crucial soft skills. These skills ensure accurate, engaging content that meets client needs and builds credibility in the competitive science communication field.

What are some common challenges freelance science writers face when working with multiple clients?

Freelance science writers often juggle projects for different clients with varying editorial styles, deadlines, and subject matter expertise requirements. Managing time effectively and adapting writing tone and complexity for distinct audiences can be challenging, especially when switching between academic, industry, and popular science publications. Building strong communication with editors and maintaining a well-organized workflow are key strategies to overcome these challenges and consistently deliver high-quality work.

What is the difference between Freelance Science Writer vs Scientific Content Writer?

AspectFreelance Science WriterScientific Content Writer
CredentialsTypically requires a background in science or related fields, strong writing skillsSimilar credentials, often with specialized knowledge in scientific topics
Work EnvironmentIndependent, remote, project-basedOften employed by organizations or agencies, but can also freelance
Industry UsageUsed across scientific publishing, media, and educationCommon in scientific journals, educational content, and corporate communication

Freelance Science Writers and Scientific Content Writers share similar educational backgrounds and work remotely, often on a project basis. The main difference lies in their employment setting: Freelance Science Writers operate independently, while Scientific Content Writers may work within organizations. Both roles require strong scientific knowledge and writing skills, making them closely related in the scientific communication industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Science Writer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Science Writer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Freelance Science Writer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Freelance Science Writer job openings:

Infographic showing various Freelance Science Writer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 73% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,996 per year, or $23.1 per hour.

Specialist, News & Editorial

American Society of Clinical Oncology

Alexandria, VA • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

New


Job description

Are you interested in making a world of difference in cancer care?

Cancer strikes more than 10 million people worldwide each year. As the leading medical society representing doctors who care for people with cancer, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is committed to conquering cancer through research, education, and promotion of the highest quality care.


Who we are:
ASCO is a flexible, high-performance membership organization where employees collaborate to support our mission through evidence, care, and impact. Together with Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, we foster a culture that prioritizes customer-centricity, emphasizes teamwork, and commits to quality. Our culture, ASCO Works - Our Way of Working, has long enabled workplace flexibility and embraced technology to help us achieve balance. To learn what it's like to work at ASCO, click here.


Total Rewards:

At ASCO, we offer a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. Our compensation philosophy and structure ensure that payremainsmarket-based, tied to performance,and aligned with our core values. The hiring salary range displayed accounts for a broad spectrum of factors, and the final offer will depend on an evaluation of the selected candidate's experience, training, and specialized skill sets.


In addition to base pay, this position is eligible for our robust total rewards package, which includes health, vision, and dental insurance, a 401(k) with generous contribution, health and wellness benefits, family forming benefits, education support program, generous leave, and much more!


Who we are looking for:

ASCO is in search of a high-performing Specialist, News & Editorial to join our Integrated Communications and Marketing (ICM) department. The successful hire will research, write, edit, and serve as content manager for patient-facing and scientific content and materials, including summaries of research presented at ASCO Meetings. The Specialist will also successfully manage the development and review of content in support of the collaboration between ASCO and the American Cancer Society (ACS).
This position is hybrid with a primary location at our headquarters in Alexandria, VA. The hire must reside within 75 miles of our headquarters.

Responsibilities

  • Research, write, edit, and update patient-facing content, as assigned, working with team leaders and organizational partners and volunteers.
  • Manage the content review process for their portfolio, which includes identifying potential expert reviewers from ASCO's volunteer advisory committee, reaching out to reviewers and following up, and monitoring, tracking, and reporting on the status of all portfolio content.
  • Support development of press releases and patient-facing summaries for scientific abstracts from ASCO Meetings to highlight cancer advances to a variety of audiences.
  • Comply with contemporary journalistic standards, including accuracy, timeliness, readability, and search engine optimization (SEO) techniques, while also meeting internal deadlines and quality expectations.
  • Identify news stories that support content partnership needs and expectations, including with ACS, and stay aligned with external partners' objectives and editorial calendars.
  • Demonstrate strong client service skills when working with external partners.
  • Support the management of ASCO's volunteer advisory committee, including but not limited to developing and delivering communications, responding to questions, planning and participating in engagement sessions, and conducting surveys to gather input.
  • Participate in time-sensitive responses involving crisis communications or other fast-paced content management, such as patient-facing content related to pandemics, environmental disasters, international affairs, and ASCO Guidelines.
  • Contribute to ongoing team effort to maintain and enhance readability to ensure all of ASCO's patient-facing resources and content are accessible to a broad audience.
  • Manage and engage with freelance writers and other vendors as needed.

Required Education and Experience

  • Bachelor's degree, preferably in communications, journalism, or a related field, or equivalent years of experience
  • At least 4 to 5 years of experience writing in a healthcare, medical, or patient care/education environment
  • Strong command of plain-language and patient-friendly styles of medical/science writing
  • Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications required, including Word, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive

Preferred Education and Experience

  • Experience working with project and content management systems
  • Experience in the nonprofit sector, a professional medical society, oncology, or other healthcare organizations
  • Experience with using AI tools related to content development or operational efficiency

Competencies

  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly convey and receive information with all professional levels and diverse groups
  • Ability to understand and simplify complex scientific content for general audiences
  • Strong interpersonal skills and relationship-building skills
  • Self-starter with a commitment to work within a fast-paced editorial team
  • Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines, prioritize, and multitask
  • Strong content management skills, excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, and the ability to monitor, track, and report on status of content reviews
  • Flexible with the ability to adapt to changing conditions

ADA/Physical Requirements

Must lift up to 25 lbs.

Extended periods seated or standing at a desk

High use of computer and other office technology equipment

Travel

1 to 5 days/year

Compensation

This is an exempt position. The hiring salary range for this position is $93,300-$113,800 annualized.

The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum annualized salary ASCO expects to provide for a new hire for the position across the U.S. We thoughtfully determine and design offers based on the selected candidate's relevant experience and qualifications.

Generous Benefits Package:

  • Hybrid Work Environment
  • Open Leave Policy
  • Paid Family Leave
  • 13 Paid Holidays per Calendar Year
  • Staff Appreciation Days
  • 401(k): 7.5% Employer Contribution
  • Medical/Dental/Vision
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Fertility and Family Forming
  • Healthcare Concierge
  • Flexible Spending Account(s)
  • Healthcare Savings Account
  • Disability and Life Insurance

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. The job posting will remain active throughout the candidate application evaluation process.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, and religion.