Manager Scientific Writing – Publications Delivery Bengaluru, Karnataka

Job description

Manager Scientific Writing– Publications Delivery Grade: D3, Individual Contributor Shift: 2 pm to 11 pm IST Location: Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru, India Introduction to the role Are you an accomplished medical publication writer who can turn complex scientific evidence into clear, compelling and compliant communications? As a Manager Scientific Writing in Publication Delivery, you will lead high-complexity publication deliverables across assigned therapeutic areas and act as a trusted partner to authors and cross-functional teams. You will author and critically review manuscripts and congress materials, guide scientific narratives, mentor writers and help strengthen quality, operational performance and innovation. Working closely with the Global scientific communications Leads and Publication/scientific communications Delivery Lead, you will ensure every deliverable meets scientific, ethical and operational standards, including Good Publication Practice, ICMJE guidance and AstraZeneca policies. Accountabilities Lead publication and scientific platforms delivery: Own complex, high-impact publication deliverables and scientific platforms from strategy and planning through submission and resubmission. Align cross-functional partners on scope, scientific narrative, key messages, timelines and quality expectations. Scientific writing and critical review: Write and critically review complex manuscripts and scientific platforms, integrated and subgroup analyses, health economics and outcomes research, epidemiology publications, abstracts, posters and scientific presentations. Ensure scientific accuracy, clarity, consistency and alignment with target journal or congress requirements. Complex publications management: Establish document strategy, outlines, shells and visual plans for multi-study disclosures. Maintain effective version control and publication management workflows, anticipate risks and implement mitigation plans to protect quality and delivery timelines. Interpret scientific data: Partner with clinical, biostatistics and medical teams to evaluate datasets, analytical methods and efficacy and safety endpoints. Reconcile discrepancies and maintain consistency across protocols, clinical study reports, product information and public disclosures. Lead evidence assessment: Oversee literature searches, evidence synthesis and gap assessments that inform publication planning and future disclosures. Maintain accurate, transparent and audit-ready reference libraries. Drive submissions and resubmissions: Lead submission packages, cover letters and response-to-reviewer strategies. Coordinate authorship confirmation, disclosures and compliance checks, and work with editorial offices and congress secretariats to resolve queries. Shape data visualisation: Define effective visual approaches and collaborate with design partners to produce clear and accurate figures, tables and layouts that meet journal, congress and brand requirements. Champion compliance and publication ethics: Ensure adherence to Good Publication Practice, ICMJE guidance and AstraZeneca policies, including appropriate authorship, acknowledgements, disclosures and transparency. Identify and address ethical or compliance risks early. Lead collaborator engagement: Facilitate cross-functional reviews, build positive relationships with internal partners, and navigate competing feedback to achieve timely consensus. Develop people and capability: Coach Medical Writers and Senior Medical Writers, provide constructive peer review, support onboarding and create practical training materials, templates and best-practice guidance. Support operational excellence: Maintain accurate documentation and audit readiness in publication management systems such as iEnvision. Partner with the Global Scientific Communications lead Delivery Lead to monitor timelines, dependencies, metrics and key performance indicators and to advance continuous improvement. Embed quality and consistency: Establish robust quality-control practices, conduct critical peer reviews and ensure alignment across related documents, product information and previous disclosures. Accelerate innovation: Apply a strong understanding of artificial intelligence and automation tools to publication development and delivery. Pilot, implement and scale appropriate solutions that improve quality, speed and ways of working. Build scientific expertise: Develop deep knowledge of assigned therapeutic areas and contribute to guidance, process improvement and knowledge sharing across the team. Essential requirements Master’s degree in life sciences, pharmacy, biochemistry, biotechnology, pharmacology, public health or a related field, with equivalent experience also considered. Seven to ten years of medical or scientific writing experience, including demonstrated leadership of complex manuscripts, congress publications and scientific platforms. Advanced understanding of clinical research methods, biostatistics, publication ethics and relevant standards, including Good Publication Practice and ICMJE guidance. Proven ability to interpret complex analyses and communicate scientific evidence clearly, accurately and persuasively. Strong collaborator engagement, facilitation and organisational skills, with the ability to lead multiple high-priority deliverables. Knowledge of AI applications in scientific communications. Practical experience using AI tools to support literature synthesis, scientific writing, and quality control. Familiarity with generative AI tools, including effective prompting and critical review of outputs, with a focus on scientific accuracy, data confidentiality and responsible use. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, reference-management tools, publication-management platforms such as iEnvision and data-visualisation standards. Desirable requirements Advanced degree or equivalent experience such as PhD, MD, MPH, or PharmD, a recognised qualification in medical writing or communications. A CMPP certification will be an added advantage. Experience leading integrated disclosures, including pooled analyses, meta-analyses, health economics and outcomes research, and coordinating multi-author manuscripts through acceptance. Knowledge of one or more relevant therapeutic areas, including Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism; Respiratory and Immunology; Vaccines; and Immune Therapies. Knowledge of Rare Disease Experience collaborating with investigators, external experts and multidisciplinary teams and engaging with journal editors or congress secretariats. Working knowledge of authorship criteria, data transparency and sharing requirements, journal and congress systems, and development of training content. Skills and capabilities Scientific rigour, integrity and sound judgement in complex publication scenarios. Clear, persuasive writing and editing, with the ability to structure and synthesise complex evidence. Stakeholder leadership, facilitation, negotiation and consensus building. Advanced planning and time management across parallel deliverables, with proactive risk identification and mitigation. A continuous-improvement mindset, together with strong coaching, mentoring and knowledge-sharing skills. Attention to detail Comfort with change management and adopting new technologies Our Working Environment When diverse teams come together, we unlock bold thinking with the potential to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person collaboration helps us connect, move at pace, and challenge perspectives. That is why we work, on average, a minimum of three days each week from the office, while continuing to respect individual flexibility. At AstraZeneca, you will have the opportunity to grow and innovate within a rapidly evolving portfolio. Our entrepreneurial culture encourages ownership, collaboration, and new ideas. Supported by experienced leaders and colleagues, you will help advance our mission for patients while developing your expertise in an inclusive