The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has an exciting opportunity for a scientist with exceptional writing and communication skills to join the editorial team of its flagship journal, Cancer Discovery. This position is designed for a PhD-trained scientist who can bring curiosity, scientific depth, critical thinking, and media awareness to coverage of the rapidly evolving cancer research landscape as part of Cancer Discovery News.
The Science Writer, Cancer Discovery, will report to the Executive Editor of Cancer Discovery and work closely with the News Editor for Cancer Discovery News. The Science Writer will develop authoritative, engaging content that helps scientists, physician-scientists, and translational researchers understand not only important developments in cancer research, but their significance, context, and implications for the field.
The Science Writer will cover major scientific advances as well as emerging technologies, therapeutic approaches, research trends, funding and policy developments, and other forces shaping the cancer research ecosystem. The position will place particular emphasis on stories requiring scientific depth, synthesis of complex information, and independent assessment of an emerging field or development.
As an integrated member of the Cancer Discovery editorial team, the Science Writer will participate in scientific and editorial discussions, remain attuned to emerging areas of research and the journal's scientific priorities, and have a highly visible role in the cancer research community to develop a broad network of researchers and other experts. The Science Writer will also collaborate with scientific editors and colleagues across AACR publications and other AACR departments and may contribute to additional editorial formats and initiatives.
The position may be based in an AACR office in Philadelphia or Boston.
Cancer Discovery is among the world’s most preeminent cancer journals publishing major advances in basic, translational, and clinical research (2026 Impact Factor: 29.5). Cancer Discovery is an essential information resource that also publishes highly regarded news stories—including pieces on advances in cancer research and treatment, technology, business, people and places, therapeutics-related FDA activity, science and public policy, and research funding—as well as review articles, perspectives and commentaries, and summaries of important findings in other journals.
Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world’s first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR membership includes more than 54,000 laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and patient advocates residing in 130 countries and territories around the world. Presently, 32 percent of members live outside the United States and 22 percent of AACR’s international members are located in countries with emerging economies. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 30 conferences and educational workshops, the largest of which is the AACR Annual Meeting. In addition, the AACR publishes 10 prestigious, peer-reviewed scientific journals and a magazine for cancer survivors, patients, and their caregivers. The AACR funds meritorious research directly as well as in cooperation with numerous cancer organizations. As the Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer, the AACR provides expert peer review, grants administration, and scientific oversight of team science and individual investigator grants in cancer research that have the potential for near-term patient benefit. The AACR actively communicates with legislators and other policymakers about the value of cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer. For more information about the AACR, visit AACR.org.
