Documentation Writer

The Rosetta Commons under the Open Molecular Software Foundation (OMSF) is dedicated to advancing molecular sciences through open science and open-source research software. We are seeking a Documentation Writer to update, create and maintain comprehensive, clear, and effective documentation. The Documentation Writer’s duties will center around managing, designing and improving all aspects of documentation and tutorials of Rosetta and adjacent biomolecular modeling and design tools for both users and developers inside and outside of our organization. The Documentation Writer will work relentlessly to improve the clarity of documentation and tutorials and accessibility of information and resources to our projects and communities. This includes:

Conduct tool usage research: Perform usage research to identify the most popular tools, guiding the prioritization of documentation updates.
Restructure and update documentation: Evaluate, reorganize, streamline, and update existing documentation to improve accessibility and archive outdated content.
Create documentation for new tools: Develop clear, instructional content for new tools and features, helping users maximize new functionalities.
Integrate into our Educational Hub: Integrate documentation into our Education Hub, a unified resource that supports diverse user needs and promotes seamless learning experiences.
Support users and workshop leaders: Provide ongoing support to users and educational workshop leaders by offering tailored documentation and tutorials.

This role is a fully remote position with flexibility in work location and schedule. The initial term is for up to two years, contingent on available funding, with the possibility of extension depending on future funding availability. Since this position is largely grant-funded, you will need to be legally authorized to live and work in the United States. If your visa is sponsored by your current employer, please apply and leave a note that you may require visa assistance. We will not accept overseas applications for this role.

Please note that, depending on your location, you might occasionally need to participate in meetings outside of normal business hours due to time zone differences. Our teams and collaborators are mostly based in the United States and in Europe. This role offers a high degree of autonomy, allowing you to structure your work in a way that best suits your productivity. This role will require occasional travel for work.

The Documentation Writer will work closely with the Rosetta Commons’ leadership team, stakeholders, and internal and external users and developers of the software that share the common goal of improving molecular sciences through open science and open source research software. This is a new role in the organization offering many opportunities to shape up our community and the role itself, and a driven and resourceful individual would be best suited for the role. The ideal candidate is a proactive and engaging individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of maintaining attention to detail in a dynamic work environment. The Documentation Writer will report to the OpenRosetta Project Director and will be supported by the technical staff in the Rosetta Commons.

Key duties and responsibilities:

Documentation update

Conduct tool usage research: Perform usage research to identify the most popular tools, guiding the prioritization of documentation updates to address the needs of the majority.
Develop documentation templates: Create standardized documentation templates that exemplify best practices in clarity, format, and comprehensiveness. Teach the community how to effectively use these templates, promoting consistency and quality across all user-generated content.
Restructure existing documentation: Evaluate, reorganize, streamline and update existing documentation to enhance accessibility, and archive outdated content.
Simplify complex information: Translate intricate molecular science concepts and software functionalities into clear, user-friendly documentation that enhances user comprehension.
Create documentation for new tools: Create clear, instructional content for new tools and features, enabling users to fully leverage new functionalities.
Develop and maintain technical documentation: Create, write, and regularly update user manuals, API documentation, and tutorials.
Update and streamline documentation: Continuously update documentation to reflect product updates, technological changes, and new scientific methodologies. Prioritize revisions based on user feedback and usability testing.
Ensure consistency: Maintain consistency of technical documentation to adhere to technical standards, ensuring a uniform communication style across all materials.
Manage documentation lifecycle: Oversee the entire documentation lifecycle from initial creation through to publication and subsequent updates, ensuring timely availability of accurate information.
Integrate documentation with Educational Hub: Seamlessly integrate all documentation into our Educational Hub, creating a unified resource that supports users of varying backgrounds and enhances their learning experience.
Support users and workshop leaders: Provide ongoing support to users and educational workshop leaders by offering tailored documentation and tutorials. Facilitate their effective use of our tools through responsive updates and dedicated resources that cater to their specific needs and feedback.
Collaborate with technical teams: Work closely with users, developers, and technical teams to gather and verify technical content, ensuring accuracy and relevance.
Engage with the community: Participate in both in-person and virtual events to collect insights that drive improvements in technical documentation.
Monitor community developments: Stay abreast of new tools and advancements within the community to timely create and update documentation. Ensure that all materials reflect the latest developments and meet the evolving needs of users.
Develop working examples: Create real-world examples that demonstrate effective use of Rosetta software. Ensure these examples are accessible, clearly documented, and regularly updated to reflect software changes.

Opportunities for extra impact

Conduct workshops and lectures: Teach occasional workshops or lectures that provide in-depth insights into usage of our tools.
Produce instructional videos: Develop short, engaging instructional videos for YouTube that demonstrate the use and functionalities of our biomolecular modeling tools. Ensure these videos are clear, informative, and tailored to assist users in easily understanding complex concepts and software operations.

Required qualifications:

A degree in Technical Writing, Computational Chemistry, Biophysics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience: BS with 5+ years of experience, MS with 3+ years of experience, or PhD.
Proven experience in technical writing, preferably in molecular sciences or related fields, OR hands-on experience in Computational Chemistry, Biophysics, or scientific software development, with a demonstrated ability to produce high-quality documentation.
Working knowledge of the UNIX command line interface, understanding basic commands, and navigating file systems across various operating systems.
Strong ability to translate technical and scientific information into clear, concise, and effective documentation.
Experience working with distributed teams and ability to work effectively in a fully remote, collaborative research environment, demonstrating strong self-motivation and time management.
Attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality, accurate documentation.
Experience with Git or similar tools.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Preferred qualifications:

Familiarity with compiling, running, and troubleshooting C++ applications, understanding C++ principles.
Experience in writing, debugging, and maintaining Python scripts and applications.
Experience using or developing Rosetta biomolecular modeling or design tools.
Experience working with large software suites or complex scientific software.
Experience with open-source research software in molecular sciences.
Familiarity with the dynamics of large, distributed, collaborative projects.
Experience with content management on websites and improving user experience through effective information design.

Compensation:

The base annual salary range for these roles is expected to be between $70,000 - $90,000 commensurate with the candidates’ qualifications and experience, and in line with the organizational compensation policy. OMSF provides the following benefits to all US-based employees: a selection of healthcare plans (dental and vision included), HSA or FSA, 100% matching employer contributions to 401(k) up to 4%, and unlimited paid time off. Costs of setting up a home office and work-related travel will be covered.

How to apply:

If making software easier to use is your thing, we encourage you to apply by filling out THIS FORM. Any additional queries about the role, grant, Rosetta Commons, and OMSF can be sent to julia.koehler.leman@omsf.io.