Medical Writer Jobs in California
Medical Writer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where a dense network of biopharmaceutical companies, medical device firms, and academic medical centers drives consistent demand at every level from entry-level associate writer through senior and principal roles. Employers with a lasting California presence include Genentech, Johnson and Johnson, and AstraZeneca, all of which maintain significant regulatory and clinical writing operations in the state. The most in-demand specialties are regulatory submissions writing, clinical study reports, and medical communications for oncology and rare disease programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 8+ Medical Writer jobs
About Summit:
Summit Therapeutics Inc. is a biopharmaceutical oncology company with a mission focused on improving quality of life, increasing potential duration of life, and resolving serious unmet medical needs. At Summit, we believe in building a team of world class professionals who are passionate about this mission, and it is our people who drive this mission to reality. Summit's core values include integrity, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, collaboration, and our commitment to people. Our employees are truly the heart and soul of our culture, and they are invaluable in shaping our journey toward excellence.
Summit's team is inspired to touch and help change lives through Summit's clinical studies in the field of oncology. Summit has multiple global Phase 3 clinical studies, including:
Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
HARMONi: Phase 3 clinical study which was intended to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who were previously treated with a 3rd generation EGFR TKI.
HARMONi-3: Phase 3 clinical study which is intended to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic NSCLC.
HARMONi-7: Phase 3 clinical study which is intended to evaluate ivonescimab monotherapy compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic NSCLC.
Colorectal Cancer (CRC)
HARMONi-GI3: Phase 3 clinical study intended to evaluate ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy compared with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy.
Ivonescimab is an investigational therapy not presently approved by any regulatory authority other than China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). Summit is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and has additional offices in California, New Jersey, the UK, and Ireland.
Overview of Role
The Medical Writer, Medical Communications & Publications will be responsible for developing high-quality scientific and medical communications that support the dissemination of clinical data and the medical strategy.
This role will lead and support the development of scientific publications and other Medical Affairs deliverables, translating complex clinical and scientific data into clear, accurate, and balanced scientific narratives.
The Medical Writer will collaborate closely with Medical Strategy Directors, Medical Training, Clinical Development, Biostatistics, Regulatory, and other cross-functional partners, as well as external investigators, authors, and medical communications agencies when relevant.
Responsibilities
- Develop Medical Affairs materials, including slide decks, data summaries, FAQs, field medical resources, and internal scientific training materials.
- Support the development of abstracts, manuscripts, posters, oral presentations, and other publication deliverables from concept through submission and publication.
- Partner with Medical Affairs colleagues to execute global publication plans and scientific communication strategies.
- Translate complex clinical trial results and scientific information into clear, accurate, balanced, and scientifically rigorous communications.
- Conduct literature reviews and synthesize published and emerging scientific data to support publications and Medical Affairs initiatives.
- Work directly with investigators, external authors, and internal subject-matter experts to facilitate content development, review, revision, and approval.
- Review clinical data, tables, figures, statistical outputs, and source materials to ensure scientific accuracy and consistency.
- Coordinate publication and medical communication activities with internal teams and external agencies, ensuring projects meet agreed-upon timelines and quality standards.
- Maintain consistency of scientific language, data presentation, and key scientific messages across Medical Affairs communications.
- Ensure publication activities follow applicable standards and ethical principles, including Good Publication Practice (GPP) and ICMJE recommendations.
- Support congress-related Medical Affairs activities and the timely communication of new clinical and scientific data.
Requirements
- Advanced scientific or healthcare degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, MS, or equivalent) preferred.
- 6+ years of relevant experience in medical writing, scientific communications, publications, Medical Affairs, or a related role within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, or medical communications environment.
- Demonstrated experience developing scientific communication or medical publication materials.
- Strong understanding of clinical research and demonstrated ability to interpret and communicate clinical trial data.
- Prior experience in oncology.
- Familiarity with publication standards and authorship guidelines, including GPP and ICMJE.
- Excellent scientific writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to scientific accuracy, detail, consistency, and appropriate referencing.
- Ability to critically evaluate scientific literature, clinical data, tables, figures, and statistical outputs.
- Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deliverables and deadlines simultaneously.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a dynamic, rapidly evolving environment.
Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and specific work location. This may be different in other locations due to differences in the cost of labor. The total compensation package for this position may also include bonus, stock, benefits and/or other applicable variable compensation.
Summit does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact Summit's Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@smmttx.com to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to Summit.
Summit Therapeutics Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and takes pride in creating and maintaining diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training or promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
About Summit:
Summit Therapeutics Inc. is a biopharmaceutical oncology company with a mission focused on improving quality of life, increasing potential duration of life, and resolving serious unmet medical needs. At Summit, we believe in building a team of world class professionals who are passionate about this mission, and it is our people who drive this mission to reality. Summit's core values include integrity, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, collaboration, and our commitment to people. Our employees are truly the heart and soul of our culture, and they are invaluable in shaping our journey toward excellence.
Summit's team is inspired to touch and help change lives through Summit's clinical studies in the field of oncology. Summit has multiple global Phase 3 clinical studies, including:
Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
HARMONi: Phase 3 clinical study which was intended to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who were previously treated with a 3rd generation EGFR TKI.
HARMONi-3: Phase 3 clinical study which is intended to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic NSCLC.
HARMONi-7: Phase 3 clinical study which is intended to evaluate ivonescimab monotherapy compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic NSCLC.
Colorectal Cancer (CRC)
HARMONi-GI3: Phase 3 clinical study intended to evaluate ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy compared with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy.
Ivonescimab is an investigational therapy not presently approved by any regulatory authority other than China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). Summit is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and has additional offices in California, New Jersey, the UK, and Ireland.
Overview of Role
The Medical Writer, Medical Communications & Publications will be responsible for developing high-quality scientific and medical communications that support the dissemination of clinical data and the medical strategy.
This role will lead and support the development of scientific publications and other Medical Affairs deliverables, translating complex clinical and scientific data into clear, accurate, and balanced scientific narratives.
The Medical Writer will collaborate closely with Medical Strategy Directors, Medical Training, Clinical Development, Biostatistics, Regulatory, and other cross-functional partners, as well as external investigators, authors, and medical communications agencies when relevant.
Responsibilities
- Develop Medical Affairs materials, including slide decks, data summaries, FAQs, field medical resources, and internal scientific training materials.
- Support the development of abstracts, manuscripts, posters, oral presentations, and other publication deliverables from concept through submission and publication.
- Partner with Medical Affairs colleagues to execute global publication plans and scientific communication strategies.
- Translate complex clinical trial results and scientific information into clear, accurate, balanced, and scientifically rigorous communications.
- Conduct literature reviews and synthesize published and emerging scientific data to support publications and Medical Affairs initiatives.
- Work directly with investigators, external authors, and internal subject-matter experts to facilitate content development, review, revision, and approval.
- Review clinical data, tables, figures, statistical outputs, and source materials to ensure scientific accuracy and consistency.
- Coordinate publication and medical communication activities with internal teams and external agencies, ensuring projects meet agreed-upon timelines and quality standards.
- Maintain consistency of scientific language, data presentation, and key scientific messages across Medical Affairs communications.
- Ensure publication activities follow applicable standards and ethical principles, including Good Publication Practice (GPP) and ICMJE recommendations.
- Support congress-related Medical Affairs activities and the timely communication of new clinical and scientific data.
Requirements
- Advanced scientific or healthcare degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, MS, or equivalent) preferred.
- 6+ years of relevant experience in medical writing, scientific communications, publications, Medical Affairs, or a related role within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, or medical communications environment.
- Demonstrated experience developing scientific communication or medical publication materials.
- Strong understanding of clinical research and demonstrated ability to interpret and communicate clinical trial data.
- Prior experience in oncology.
- Familiarity with publication standards and authorship guidelines, including GPP and ICMJE.
- Excellent scientific writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to scientific accuracy, detail, consistency, and appropriate referencing.
- Ability to critically evaluate scientific literature, clinical data, tables, figures, and statistical outputs.
- Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deliverables and deadlines simultaneously.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a dynamic, rapidly evolving environment.
Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and specific work location. This may be different in other locations due to differences in the cost of labor. The total compensation package for this position may also include bonus, stock, benefits and/or other applicable variable compensation.
Summit does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact Summit's Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@smmttx.com to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to Summit.
Summit Therapeutics Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and takes pride in creating and maintaining diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training or promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
See All 8 Medical Writer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Medical Writer JobsMedical Writer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Medical Writer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in medical writer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, pharmacy, or a related field
- Experience writing regulatory documents such as clinical study reports or submission dossiers
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific data into clear written content
- Familiarity with ICH guidelines, FDA submission standards, and Good Documentation Practice
- Strong project management skills with ability to meet tight regulatory deadlines
- Proficiency with publishing tools such as Microsoft Word, eCTD templates, or similar platforms
Medical Writer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a medical writer in California?
Most medical writers in California enter the field through a graduate or undergraduate degree in biology, pharmacology, nursing, or a related life science, then build experience in a clinical, research, or communications role. California does not require a state-issued license to work as a medical writer. Many candidates strengthen their profile by earning the American Medical Writers Association credential or gaining experience at a California biotech, CRO, or academic medical center before moving into a dedicated writing role.
Which companies hire medical writers in California?
Employers hiring medical writers in California right now include Abbott, Masimo, and Rezolute, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's concentration of biopharmaceutical headquarters, contract research organizations, and large academic health systems means openings appear across a wide range of therapeutic areas and company sizes.
Which California cities have the most medical writer jobs?
Irvine, Palo Alto, and San Diego are the California cities with the most medical writer openings. The San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego dominate because they anchor the state's largest biopharmaceutical and biotech clusters, while Los Angeles draws openings from medical device companies, health systems, and medical communications agencies headquartered there.
Are there remote medical writer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. Medical writing is a document-heavy, desk-based discipline, making it well suited to remote arrangements. About 0% of medical writer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting how broadly the industry has adopted flexible work for this role. Regulatory writing and medical communications positions are the most consistently remote, while roles tied to clinical operations or site-based research teams are more likely to require some on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a medical writer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a related role, such as clinical research associate, research coordinator, or scientific editor, at a California biotech or CRO, then transitioning into writing by taking on documentation tasks. Large employers such as Genentech and contract research organizations operating throughout the Bay Area and San Diego often post associate medical writer openings that accept candidates with strong science backgrounds and no direct writing experience. Completing the American Medical Writers Association core curriculum and building a writing portfolio through academic publications or volunteer medical communications work gives candidates a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to medical writer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to medical writer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across biopharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, medical communications agencies, and health systems. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 8 Medical Writer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Medical Writer Jobs