Dr Daniel Binks - Senior Medical Writer
Academic Background: I have a BSc in Chemistry gained from the University of Birmingham. I also completed a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Birmingham, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study chemical reactions. I came to the University of Leeds as a post-doctoral researcher in 2010 and worked at the University’s Wellcome Trust and EPSRC-funded WELMEC Centre of Excellence in Medical Engineering, this time using MRI to study ways of improving and extending musculoskeletal health.
Can you tell us a little bit about your job role? At McCann Complete Medical, I consult with clients from the pharmaceutical industry and experts from clinical practice to develop communications that inform and raise awareness about new medicines. This involves preparing conference abstracts, journal articles, scientific posters and slide kit presentations. As well as researching and writing the scientific content, there’s a big project management component to the role, making sure all the necessary steps of a project are completed on time, within budget and to the satisfaction of the client.
What are the best parts of your job? The variety! There are so many different aspects to the job and it’s certainly true to say that no two days are exactly the same. On a single day, you could be working on a manuscript detailing the cellular processes that underpin how a new drug works, preparing a slide presentation describing the social and economic barriers to healthcare in different parts of the globe, while simultaneously working out how to print and ship a poster to the other side of the world in time for the start of a conference.
What are the worst parts of your job? It can get pretty busy at times, particularly if you have multiple upcoming congresses with immovable deadlines. The flipside of this is that it’s very rewarding to work through these busy periods with your colleagues; there’s a real sense of achievement when you get a whole suite of abstracts submitted or posters printed on time.
What advice would you give to postdocs looking to get a similar role? Firstly, there’s a wealth of information about the industry at the following website: http://www.medcommsnetworking.com/ , including details of free-to-attend careers and networking events. At these, you’ll be able to speak directly with people who’ve recently started working in Medical Communications and potential employers. Secondly, post-docs have a whole wealth of desirable transferable skills (project/time/budget management, presentation skills, problem solving etc.) beyond the more obvious scientific literacy, communication and writing skills we possess. Make sure to sell these when preparing your cover letters, job application forms and during any interviews you attend.