Published: November 2026

Closing date: Sunday 29 November 2026
Salary: From £28,408
Based at: Remote/hybrid based in the UK or at York Science Park
First interview date: Wednesday 09 December
Second interview date: Tuesday 15 / Wednesday 16 December 2026
Hours of work: 36.5 hours per week

Vacancy for a Research Assistant – Medical Writer

The Research Assistant – Medical Writer will support high-quality writing activities at YHEC. This will include a broad range of medical communications projects and will involve the writing/editing of sections of project reports, journal articles, slide decks and digital media. You will be contributing to a variety of client projects and non-chargeable tasks across all YHEC sectors.

Job description and personal specification

The Research Assistant – Medical Writer will contribute to the performance and profitability of YHEC Ltd in the following areas:

  • Provide support for a range of written deliverables, such as technical reports, protocols and slide decks (e.g. undertaking background research, drafting specific sections, formatting and referencing)
  • Review slide decks and develop graphics to improve visual communication
  • Support with preparing, formatting and submitting manuscripts to peer-review journals and developing conference deliverables (e.g. abstracts and posters)
  • Provide administrative support in qualitative research projects, including recruitment tasks, coordination with stakeholders, and organisation of interviews / workshops
  • Contribute to preparing research proposals (e.g. gathering literature, drafting / collating standard sections of proposals, formatting)
  • Work with in-house technical staff (e.g. health economists and systematic reviewers) as well as external associates on projects
  • Liaise with colleagues, clients and co-authors in person and via email / videoconference
  • Conform to house styles and processes (including project tracking and timekeeping)
  • Contribute to marketing at YHEC (e.g. writing blogs, drafting and posting LinkedIn posts, and updating sections of the website)
  • Prepare meeting agendas, minutes and related project correspondence

  • Educated to degree level (in a scientific discipline or English language / linguistics)
  • Good educational background (including English and Mathematics GCSE grade B or equivalent)
  • Excellent writing and editing skills as well as high attention to detail
  • Experience in different types of scientific/academic writing (e.g. preparing reports, slide decks, posters) and undertaking research projects
  • Skilled with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and EndNote (or other referencing software)
  • Experience using Excel and Canva (or other software for creating figures/graphics) is desirable
  • Excellent communication and organisational skills
  • Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative with a high degree of self-motivation and proactivity
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and use tact and discretion
  • Willingness to engage in professional development

Posts at YHEC are permanent and subject to regular review of performance. Staff are appointed for a trial period of six months, following which employment will be confirmed, subject to successful performance.

Working at YHEC

Our location means that staff have full access to the range of facilities offered by the University of York.  There is free parking for YHEC staff and secure cycle parking. Showering facilities are available in the office. We encourage staff to engage with other research departments based at the University. The combination of our unique location and the breadth of our research portfolio makes YHEC a stimulating environment to work in, providing opportunities to work with a wide range of clients using multiple research methods.  We want to help you to further develop your professional career at YHEC. We have an active career development programme and successful applicants will be supported to develop their research skills and we actively encourage internal and external training and development. Further details of our work are available at www.yhec.co.uk and photos of recent charity events and social activities are on our social media accounts.

Salary and benefits

The starting salary will be from £28,408 subject to qualifications and experience. Membership of a defined contribution or defined benefit pension scheme is available subject to eligibility criteria being satisfied.

We have a generous annual leave allowance of 30 days per year, plus bank holiday.

How to apply

The closing date for applications is Sunday 29 November 2026 at 5pm.  To apply, please complete the Online Application Form

It is anticipated that screening interviews for the post will be held on Wednesday 09 December 2026, with full interviews on the Tuesday 15 / Wednesday 16 December 2026 (both via zoom).  Please advise us immediately if these dates are likely to be inconvenient for you. Short-listed candidates will also be asked to undertake a job-specific test as part of the interview process.

In addition, if you would like to talk to someone about any adjustments you may need to assist with your application process, please contact Louise Carr by emailing [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation.

Informal enquiries are encouraged, to Emily Gregg on 01904 326486 /[email protected]

Please note:

If you are not a British or Irish citizen, from 1 January 2021 you will require permission to work in the UK. This will normally be in the form of a visa but, if you are an EEA/Swiss citizen and resident in the UK before 31 December 2020, this may be your passport or status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Please can you confirm that you have the required permissions on the application form. If your application does not include this, it will not be eligible for consideration.

Applications for part time will be considered and please note your preference in your application. This post is covered by The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.