Research Associate (Scientific Communications)

Job title: Research Associate (Scientific Communications)

Job statement: The Research Associate (Scientific Communications) works with the Head of Scientific and Medical Affairs, as well as staff from other departments, to efficiently communicate technical plans and progress to internal and external stakeholders by writing concise scientific reports, protocols, articles, regulatory submissions, presentations, and other content as needed in the field of innovative medical diagnostics development. If you are passionate about technical writing, scientific communication, and contributing to the development of disruptive medical diagnostics, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Location: On-site in Aptitude’s Santa Barbara/Goleta facility.

About us
Aptitude Medical Systems is a startup deep-tech healthcare company. Our mission is democratizing diagnostics by empowering individuals to access their health and diagnostic information anytime, anywhere. Aptitude created a simple, accurate, and easy-to-use diagnostic platform that fits in the palm of the hand and allows anyone to run a complex lab-quality PCR test in their own hands in minutes. Aptitude’s lead product, Metrix™ COVID-19 Test, is the first FDA-authorized molecular diagnostic test to work with saliva or swab samples for at-home and over-the-counter use without physician supervision, and we have a product pipeline that includes tests for a wide range of health and wellness conditions. Imagine being able to consult your doctor, run the diagnostic tests you need, and get a prescription without having to leave your home. That's the future we're building. Come join us!

About the role

In this position, you will be working closely with a cross-functional team of mission-driven scientists and engineers to drive the invention and development of novel diagnostic products. You will play a crucial role in synthesizing complex research findings into clear and concise reports, articles, and other written materials in the context of medical diagnostics. This role will directly report to the Head of Scientific and Medical Affairs.  

If you are passionate about technical writing, scientific communication, and contributing to the development of disruptive medical diagnostics, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. 

In this role, you will 

• Work collaboratively with researchers, scientists, and other team members to understand complex technical concepts and translate them into accessible written content.
• Review and edit written materials related to medical diagnostics for accuracy, clarity, and consistency, ensuring that content meets organizational standards and objectives.
• Research, write and edit reports, summaries, investigators’ brochures, package inserts, protocols, and other documents that may be submitted for publication and/or presentation. 
• Work independently and with our team to develop and manage timelines for contract deliverables.

 Responsibilities

• Analyze and interpret research data generated by R&D to understand implications of findings and effectively communicate conclusions and insights to both internal and external parties through written reports and presentations for diverse audiences.  
• Prepare reports, summary documents, grants, investigator's brochures, package inserts, protocols and protocol amendments, and other documents that may be submitted for publication and/or presentation.
• Attend regular project meetings to understand key goals and narratives. 
• Become intimately familiar with and manage timelines of contractual requirements and deliverables associated with research projects.
• Provide support to researchers in the preparation of grant proposals, project summaries, and other written materials related to medical diagnostic assay development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific field (chemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, etc.). Those with professional experience in a relevant field and/or an advanced degree or progress towards an advanced degree are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Experience in scientific research and technical writing, preferably in the context of medical diagnostics or assay development.
• Experience in effectively communicating complex data and ideas to audiences with diverse levels of experience.
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools/software, particularly as applied to medical diagnostic data.
• Familiarity with scientific research methodologies, particularly in the context of medical diagnostic assay development.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to work within a team. 
• Enthusiasm, curiosity and a willingness to ask questions and learn. 
• The ability to think critically and write clearly and concisely.  
• The ability to establish rapport with all functional leaders, experts, and colleagues.
• Familiarity with current electronic authoring, document management and electronic regulatory submissions.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Growth opportunities inherent to a fast-growing startup.
• 401K Plan with company matching.
• Medical insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Flexible paid time off.
• Immigration support.