Role Overview

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, is looking for a Scientific Writer and Education Consultant to serve as a central collaborator in the design, delivery, and assessment infrastructure of a scientific publication program. This role combines expertise in scientific communication with curriculum development and adult learning and requires someone equally comfortable analyzing manuscript structure and facilitating engaging workshops for early-career researchers.

The consultant will work closely with program leadership to develop the program's core learning architecture and curriculum and will serve as a key feedback provider for trainee manuscripts.

Key Responsibilities

Curriculum Development

Design and sequence structured learning modules that build competency progressively, from foundational scientific communication principles to publication-ready writing.
Develop annotated case studies and exercises for use in both synchronous workshops and asynchronous/microlearning formats.
Create discipline-adaptable learning exercises and guided analysis activities that trainees can complete independently or in cohort groups.
Lead the development of a modular manuscript assessment rubric with a universal core (applicable across scientific disciplines) and discipline-specific add-on components, in collaboration with program leadership.

Workshop Facilitation

Deliver engaging and evidence-based scientific writing workshops (in-person or virtual)
Record workshops for asynchronous use, ensuring recordings function as standalone instructional resources.
Adapt facilitation approach to a mixed audience of postdoctoral researchers and advanced PhD students across scientific disciplines.

Manuscript Feedback and Coaching

Provide structured, rubric-anchored written feedback on trainee manuscript drafts
Guide trainees in interpreting reviewer feedback and developing well-reasoned, professional rebuttal responses.

Program Evaluation Support

Contribute to the design of pre- and post-program competency surveys in collaboration with program leadership.
Assist in interpreting scoring data and trainee outcomes to inform program refinement between cohorts.
Participate in program documentation to support ongoing program refinement.

Qualifications

Required

Advanced degree in a scientific discipline, science communication, education, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience in scientific writing, editing, or communication for peer-reviewed publication contexts.
Proven experience developing educational curricula or structured training programs, preferably for graduate or postdoctoral audiences.
Experience designing and facilitating workshops or training sessions, in-person and/or virtually.
Familiarity with rubric development and competency-based assessment frameworks.
Ability to provide feedback on scientific manuscripts focused on communication quality — structure, clarity, argumentation, and flow — without requiring deep domain expertise in every discipline represented by trainees.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deliverables within a structured program timeline.

Preferred

Experience working with or within a journal editorial process, or familiarity with peer review workflows.
Experience supporting researchers from diverse scientific disciplines.
Prior work with grant writing training or assessment.

What We Offer

Flexible scheduling with a mix of in-person/virtual engagements or fully in-person or fully remote.
Competitive consulting rate commensurate with experience ($50-$80 per hour).

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials as one file directly to sharmav@uchicago.edu:

CV or resume.
A brief cover letter (1–2 pages) describing your experience in scientific writing, curriculum or rubric development, and workshop facilitation, and your interest in this program.
One or two samples of relevant work (e.g., a curriculum outline, rubric, workshop materials, or edited/annotated scientific manuscript).

Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago jobs

Scientific Writer & Education Consultant