OPT Principal Medical Writer Jobs
Principal Medical Writer jobs are well-suited for OPT authorization, as the role consistently requires an advanced degree in a life sciences field, meeting the specialty occupation standard most employers use to evaluate F-1 candidates. STEM OPT extensions of up to 24 months are broadly available given the scientific nature of the work.
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Get Access To All JobsOVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY
Fox News Media
FOX News Media operates the FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, the direct-to-consumer digital streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International and the newly announced platform FOX Weather. Currently the number one network in all of cable, FNC has also been the most watched television news channel for 20 consecutive years, while FBN currently ranks among the top business channels on cable. Owned by FOX Corporation, FOX News Media reaches 200 million people each month.
JOB DESCRIPTION
We are looking for a talented Editorial Writer to join the #1 national cable morning show franchise, FOX & Friends, and FOX & Friends First. You use creative, compelling copy, are detail-oriented and thorough, and can handle the pressure of being the last set of eyes on stories before air. The Editorial Writer is also strong in a control room atmosphere and can communicate quickly and effectively with several people at once.
You will be offered the following shift:
Monday - Friday from 11 PM - 7 AM, ET most days for Fox & Friends First
A SNAPSHOT OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Copyedit all headlines & reporter hits under tight deadline pressure
- Check graphics and videos to ensure they match writer scripts
- Communicate critical story information with producers and managers
- Be a leader for the writing team, helping them grow and develop
- Pitch story ideas
- Think outside the box to tell a story
- Understand the importance of utilizing and writing to video
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
- Major market experience
- Flexibility to work both weekend and weekday overnight hours
- Solid news judgment
- Thorough knowledge of current events, US politics, geopolitics, foreign policy, and history
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field of study is preferred, or equivalent experience
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.
Pursuant to state and local pay disclosure requirements, the pay rate/range for this role, with final offer amount dependent on education, skills, experience, and location is $83,000.00-91,000.00 annually. This role is also eligible for various benefits, including medical/dental/vision, insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and other benefits in accordance with applicable plan documents. Benefits for Union represented employees will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY
Fox News Media
FOX News Media operates the FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, the direct-to-consumer digital streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International and the newly announced platform FOX Weather. Currently the number one network in all of cable, FNC has also been the most watched television news channel for 20 consecutive years, while FBN currently ranks among the top business channels on cable. Owned by FOX Corporation, FOX News Media reaches 200 million people each month.
JOB DESCRIPTION
We are looking for a talented Editorial Writer to join the #1 national cable morning show franchise, FOX & Friends, and FOX & Friends First. You use creative, compelling copy, are detail-oriented and thorough, and can handle the pressure of being the last set of eyes on stories before air. The Editorial Writer is also strong in a control room atmosphere and can communicate quickly and effectively with several people at once.
You will be offered the following shift:
Monday - Friday from 11 PM - 7 AM, ET most days for Fox & Friends First
A SNAPSHOT OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Copyedit all headlines & reporter hits under tight deadline pressure
- Check graphics and videos to ensure they match writer scripts
- Communicate critical story information with producers and managers
- Be a leader for the writing team, helping them grow and develop
- Pitch story ideas
- Think outside the box to tell a story
- Understand the importance of utilizing and writing to video
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
- Major market experience
- Flexibility to work both weekend and weekday overnight hours
- Solid news judgment
- Thorough knowledge of current events, US politics, geopolitics, foreign policy, and history
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field of study is preferred, or equivalent experience
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.
Pursuant to state and local pay disclosure requirements, the pay rate/range for this role, with final offer amount dependent on education, skills, experience, and location is $83,000.00-91,000.00 annually. This role is also eligible for various benefits, including medical/dental/vision, insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and other benefits in accordance with applicable plan documents. Benefits for Union represented employees will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
See all 114+ OPT Principal Medical Writer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Principal Medical Writer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Principal Medical Writer
Lead with your regulatory writing experience
Principal-level roles require demonstrated ownership of clinical documents like CSRs, IBs, and NDA/BLA submissions. Quantify your output in your resume and cover letter. Employers sponsoring OPT want evidence you can operate independently from day one.
Target CROs and mid-size biopharma companies
Contract research organizations and growth-stage biopharma firms hire medical writers at volume and are more accustomed to OPT sponsorship than smaller startups. Their HR teams understand work authorization timelines and are better positioned to support your status.
Emphasize your therapeutic area depth
Generalist writers are easier to pass over. Employers prioritize candidates with deep experience in oncology, rare disease, or neurology. Positioning yourself within a specific therapeutic area signals you bring specialized value that justifies the sponsorship conversation.
Address your OPT timeline proactively
Don't wait for employers to raise the authorization question. Mention your OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility early in conversations. Clarity reduces hesitation and shows you understand the timeline, which builds employer confidence rather than concern.
Highlight your degree alignment clearly
Principal Medical Writer roles require a graduate degree in pharmacy, medicine, life sciences, or a closely related field. Make the connection between your degree and the role explicit in your application materials. Ambiguity about qualification creates unnecessary friction with hiring teams.
Build a portfolio of regulatory document samples
If permitted by prior employers, curate anonymized writing samples showing your range across document types. A portfolio demonstrating CSR structure, synopsis writing, or protocol drafting gives hiring teams concrete evidence of your capability at the principal level.
Principal Medical Writer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Principal Medical Writers?
Yes. Principal Medical Writer roles qualify under OPT because they consistently require an advanced degree in a life sciences or health-related field, meeting the specialty occupation standard. Most employers in pharma and CRO settings are familiar with OPT authorization. STEM OPT extensions typically apply given the scientific degree requirements involved.
Does a Principal Medical Writer role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
In most cases, yes. The STEM OPT extension applies when your degree is on the USCIS STEM designated degree list and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Degrees in pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical sciences, chemistry, and biology commonly qualify. Confirm your specific degree is listed and that your employer meets the E-Verify requirement before applying for the extension.
How do I find Principal Medical Writer jobs open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the recommended platform for OPT students in this search. It filters for employers who sponsor work authorization, so you're not applying blindly to postings that will screen you out. Searching there saves significant time compared to filtering through general job boards where sponsorship openness is rarely disclosed upfront.
What degree do I need to qualify for Principal Medical Writer roles on OPT?
Most employers require a graduate degree, typically a master's or doctorate, in a field directly related to the work, such as pharmacology, biomedical sciences, medicine, pharmacy, or a clinical discipline. An undergraduate degree in a life sciences field may qualify for some postings, but principal-level roles almost universally expect advanced credentials to support both the job requirements and OPT eligibility.
How much OPT time should I have remaining when applying for Principal Medical Writer positions?
Aim to have at least six months of OPT remaining when you start applying. Principal-level hiring processes are thorough, often involving writing assessments and multiple interview rounds, which can take eight to twelve weeks. If you're STEM-eligible, your extension gives you additional runway, but starting the search early avoids unnecessary pressure on your authorization timeline.