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Freelance Science Writer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Associate Editor, Ranger Rick Outreach

Reston, VA · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

See Virginia salary details

$7

$23

$32

How much do freelance science writer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 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 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 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 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 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 most commonly searched types of Science Writer jobs in Virginia?

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

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Science Writer jobs in Virginia?

For Freelance Science Writer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles 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 60% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 24% Contract. Highlights an 74% In-person, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,996 per year, or $23.1 per hour.

$22 - $29/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


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 has a new and exciting opportunity for a Meeting Abstracts Coordinator to join our Publishing team! In this role, the Meeting Abstracts Coordinator will coordinate the publication of scientific meeting abstracts, partner with cross-functional teams, and collaborate with vendors all while making an impact on oncology science, education, and research.
If you are highly organized, passionate about project coordination, have exceptional attention to detail, and are interested in scientific publishing, we would love to hear from you!
This position is hybrid with a primary location at our headquarters in Alexandria, VA. The hire must reside within 75 miles of our headquarters and be available to work onsite as business needs require.

Responsibilities

  • Develop andmaintainproduction schedules, coordinating with internal stakeholders acrossmultiple departments and external vendors.

  • Coordinate theabstractdata formatting processto ensure compliancewithASCOguidelines;performpre- and post-publication online QC;andcoordinateproduction ofPDFs produced by a third-party vendor.

  • Coordinate and execute the public release of meeting abstracts in partnership with stakeholders in IT, Education, and Communications; ensureaccurateabstract counts and verify standard protocols to ensure successful publication aligned with ASCO embargo requirements. Serve as the final approver to push content live and handle all post-launch stakeholder communications.

  • Process pre- and post-publication abstract change and withdrawal requests for both ASCO.org and ASCOPubs.org platforms, ensuring compliance withASCO abstract submission guidelines and policies as well as scholarly publishing industry standards.

  • Serve as the primary liaison for external vendors supporting the publication of the meeting abstracts,monitoringvendor performance, managing deliverables,troubleshootingand/or reporting issues, and providing programmatic feedback to ensure operational excellence.

  • Coordinate review of conclusive title edits withthe Meeting Abstracts Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editorandfacilitatethe adjudication of abstract errataandretractions.

  • Develop and/ormaintainprocess documentation for internal staff and freelancers/vendors and update author-facing guidelines as needed.

  • Initiate and execute process improvements, obstacle anticipation and avoidance, and innovative advancements and improvements to products.

  • Participate in publishing activities across the department as needed.

Required Education and Experience

  • Bachelor's Degreeor equivalent years of experience

  • 2 years ofrelatedcoordinatingor administrative experience

  • Knowledge of academic/scientific writing, publishing, journals, websites

  • Experience and in-depth knowledge ofHTML,computer software,and demonstratedproficiencywith Office 360 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

  • Understanding of content management and workflows

Competencies

  • Excellent time management skills withdemonstratedability to manage competing priorities,meet deadlines, prioritize, and multi-task

  • Excellent organization skills with meticulous attention to detail

  • Excellent communication skills, includingwritten,with the ability to clearly communicate and convey, receive, and understandinformation

  • Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills

  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills

  • Ability to work well both independently and collaboratively in teams

  • Strong project management skills

Work Environment

Fast-paced office environment.

ADA/Physical Requirements

Extendedperiodsseated or standing at a desk.

High use ofcomputerand other office technology equipment.

Travel

1-3 days/yr.

Weekend work is required for approximately 3-4 weekends per year; occasional evening work required.

Compensation

This is a non-exempt position based upon 37.5 hours per week. The hourly rate range for this position is $29.79-39.18.

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

TheAssociation for Clinical OncologyisanEqual Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company toprovideequal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, and religion.