How to hire a research writer

How to hire a research writer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step research writer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a research writer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new research writer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a research writer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a research writer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a research writer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a research writer that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of research writers.

   Type of Research Writer	Description	Hourly rate
   Research Writer	Technical writers, also called technical communicators, prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They also develop, gather, and disseminate technical information through an organization’s communications channels.	$15-38
   Journalist	A journalist is responsible for creating written correspondence, covering various subjects as the management requires. This task involves a lot of research investigations, conducting interviews, and gathering reliable sources to verify the authenticity of data before releasing the articles on news portals and other social platforms... Show more	$18-45
   Editorial Internship	An editorial intern is responsible for assisting the editorial team in publishing digital and media content, writing articles, and managing readers' reviews. Editorial interns must have excellent knowledge of the industry they work for, suggesting the latest trends and featured topics, taking notes of the tenured employees' advice and observations, and actively joining brainstorming sessions... Show more	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Research Topics
   • Press Releases
   • Editorials
   • Web Content
   • Conduct Research
   • Oral Histories
   • Proofread
   • Research Projects
   • Public Policy
   • Research Paper
   • Blog Posts
   • Primary Research
   • SEO
   • Market Research

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the proposal lifecycle, including RFP analysis, regular communications, proposal development and production consistent with branding strategies.
   • Upload content and photos on Wordpress and create SEO meta descriptions.
   • Recognize by audience as thought leader in NFL coverage and commentary.
   • Assist the editor-in-chief with expanding the team of contributing writers to attract readers.
   • Proofread and spell check written content, review articles, videos, and books regarding the given topic.
   • Research various topics base on clients requests in order to write keyword articles for search engine optimization (SEO).

   More research writer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your research writer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A research writer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, research writers' average salary in mississippi is 55% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level research writers earn 60% less than senior-level research writers.
   • Certifications. A research writer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a research writer's salary.

   Average research writer salary

   $50,741yearly

   $24.39 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level research writer salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

   Average research writer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$65,300	$31
   2	California	$64,335	$31
   3	New York	$59,251	$28
   4	North Carolina	$57,618	$28
   5	Wisconsin	$51,719	$25
   6	Ohio	$50,835	$24
   7	Texas	$48,576	$23
   8	Missouri	$48,192	$23
   9	Tennessee	$44,979	$22

   Average research writer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	St. Jude Children's Research Hospital	$71,581	$34.41	98
   2	Dana-Farber Cancer Institute	$59,024	$28.38	36
   3	Parkland Hospital	$59,009	$28.37
   4	Columbia University in the City of New York	$57,850	$27.81	48
   5	Camargo	$55,819	$26.84
   6	Clarivate	$54,845	$26.37	7
   7	The University of Kansas	$34,627	$16.65	100

4. Writing a research writer job description

   A research writer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a research writer job description:

   Research writer job description example

   For more than90 years, Standard Process Inc. has been a visionary leader in whole food nutrient solutions. Our whole food philosophy and mission to change lives extends far beyond our supplements to the very people we employ. This strong foundation has created an environment where our employees are seen as members of our family and are given the tools and resources to succeed, both personally and professionally.
   
   Under the direction of the Director of Discovery Science and Innovation, the Scientific Research & Communications Writer supports investigators with comprehensive scientific writing and editing of research publications, grant proposals, preparation of documents for regulatory and compliance submission, literature search in support of clinical and preclinical studies, product substantiation, education, and scientific communication materials. Duties involve shaping study drafts to publication readiness, including substantive editing and rewriting for structure, consistency, logical organization, and coherence; eliminating wordiness; correcting language issues; eliminating spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors; checking tables and figures against statements in text; and preparing manuscripts to conform to appropriate journal specifications, including formatting bibliography, formatting and preparing graphics, and identifying missing components. Act as an editor responsible for editing pre-clinical and clinical documents, regulatory and compliance submissions, medical/scientific publications, scientific affairs and other related documents.
   Functions
   
   Performs detailed review of pre-clinical, clinical and regulatory documents, tables, publications, annual reports, literature summaries, submission sections, and internal documents Proofreads or substantively edits documents to correct and streamline grammar, spelling, style, and format Verifies that document content is consistent with internal guidelines Formats, styles, and troubleshoots functionality and presentation of documents and templates Assists writers or other team members with supportive tasks (e.g, tracking documents) as requested Assists with literature searches, reference management, bibliographies, and libraries Edit for language clarity and consistency, correct balance, appropriate tone, overall cohesiveness, flow, organization, style, grammar, spelling, typographical errors and formatting Fact check materials to ensure comprehensive and accurate support for claims Participate in development phase to initiate consistency in content and layout of Scientific Affairs documents Participate in the creation of Scientific Affairs documents throughout all stages of a job: review each Scientific Affairs document for spelling, grammar, clarity, fulfillment of creative brief, correct client and AMA style, and appropriate and accurate referencing Follow up with the Marketing Department on content revisions as requested
   Qualifications
   
   Education
   
   Bachelor's degree or higher in nutrition, health sciences, or related field require
   Certifications/Licenses
   
   Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS) or Medical Writer Certification (MWC) and/or American Medical Writers (AMWA) Essential Skills certificate are preferred but not necessary
   Experience
   
   Industry or academic experience with particular emphasis in nutrition Experience in leading the development of claims in the Clinical or Healthcare Nutrition space
   Specialized Knowledge and Skills
   
   Knowledge of Nutritional Science Knowledge of the habits, practices, and benefits in the dietary use of macro- and micro-ingredients on healthy life stages Working knowledge of the segment-specific regulatory environment Excellent language skills (reading, writing, editing, team communication) Familiarity with literature search databases and manuscript preparation Familiarity with statistical methods, analysis, and interpretation Familiarity with Microsoft Office software Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both spoken and written form Ability to work on multiple projects, organize, and prioritize within time constraints Ability to commit to a team-based environment. Conduct comprehensive, systematic searches of published medical literature Provide interpretation and analysis of clinical and non-clinical data pertinent to scientific communications projects (e.g., literature reviews, abstracts, posters, presentations, manuscripts, Clinical Evaluation Reports, and clinical study reports) Must be able to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment as well as work collaboratively and adapt to changing processes and procedures. Requires flexibility and time-management skills, including the ability to prioritize among many diverse responsibilities. Capability to work both independently and as a team member in-person and remotely, ability to multi-task and respond professionally in challenging situations is essential. Write and/or direct the preparation of clear and effective research manuscripts Knowledge of AMA Manual of Style, other style guides, and any guidelines related to assigned projects Familiarity with AP style; experience with medical/regulatory/legal reviews; familiarity with FDA requirements relevant to nutrition and supplements Ability to understand medical/scientific terminology Extremely detail oriented, thorough, and accurate Proven experience managing rapidly shifting priorities and deadlines in high-pressure situations Ability to take ownership, be accountable and work independently Digitally savvy with excellent verbal, written, organizational and time-management skills Ability to interpret scientific research data and scientific literature Ability to follow instructions and apply resourceful insight to problem-solving Communicate with professionals from a variety of backgrounds Expertise in Microsoft Word, including advanced formatting, styles, cross-referencing, bookmarks, and other related skills
   Necessary Competencies
   
   Business Acumen/Knowledge Collaboration/Consulting Communication (verbal and written) Interpersonal Influencing Leadership Project management and prioritization
   Travel Requirements
   
   <10%
   Benefits Package
   
   Standard Process is proud to be a top workplace. We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefit package, which includes:
   
   Competitive salary and annual incentive program Comprehensive health care and flexible benefit plan, including pet insurance Company-matched 401(k) plan Profit sharing plan On-site childcare with highly accredited curriculum Platinum WELCOA award-winning wellness program, including:
   On-site 24x7 fitness center Whole food court On-site chiropractic care On-site massage therapist Personal trainer Daily fitness classes On-site life coach $450 monthly Standard Process supplement allowance Annual wellness incentives Paid vacation and holiday time Educational assistance Company hosted outings and events Strong community involvement
   
   Apply today and become part of the Standard Process family!
   
   Standard Processunderstands the importance of diversity and believes in providing equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. Accordingly, all personnel decisions, including but not limited to hiring, compensation, promotions, training, benefits, termination, or other terms and conditions of employment, are made without regard to age, race, creed, color, disability, veteran status, marital status, sex, national origin, ancestry, arrest or conviction record, sexual preference, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic in accordance with law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find research writers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   To find research writer candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as problogger, media bistro, journalismjobs.com, content writing jobs.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit research writers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new research writer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the research writer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new research writer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a research writer?