On 30 October 2026, MedComms.Jobs hosted Finding Your First MedCommsJob, a free early careers webinar for UK life science students finishing their degrees in 2026 or 2027. We were joined by Helios Global Group, a MedComms agency with a few hundred people across the UK and US that recruits for entry-level roles periodically.
Emma Hyett from Helios introduced the industry, the agency and its entry-level roles. Two colleagues who joined Helios around 18 months ago then walked through what their working days actually look like. We finished with a live Q&A.
Whether you missed it or want a refresher, here's what we covered, plus answers to your questions.
Meet the speakers
Emma Hyett, Senior Project Director. Emma has worked in MedComms for nearly 11 years, six of them at Helios. She took an unusual route in, moving across from biotech sales.
Pippa Wade, Associate Medical Writer. Pippa studied biological sciences, then completed a master's in immunology and a PhD in cancer research. After a one-year postdoc, she decided academia wasn't for her and moved into MedComms.
Eleanor Mills, Senior Scientific Project Coordinator. Eleanor studied biology and psychology and knew she was passionate about science communication. Helios was her first MedComms agency, and she joined at entry level.
MedComms, Helios and the routes in
What does a MedComms agency do?
Medical communications agencies communicate medical and scientific information to a wide range of audiences. That information helps educate healthcare professionals and others about new medicines, technologies and innovations, from very early development through to products that have been on the market for years.
As Emma explained, the content falls into a few broad areas:
- Product data: preclinical data, clinical trial results (including big phase 3 studies), real-world evidence, post-marketing studies, and value and access work.
- Disease information: unmet need, risk factors, disease pathways and the underlying science.
- Non-drug information: such as medical devices and treatment adherence.
- Strategic work: internal timelines, planning, positioning and communications for clients.
Audiences include specialist doctors, GPs, nurses, pharmacists and regulators. A large part of the work involves key external experts (KEEs), the leading specialists other clinicians turn to for guidance. Agencies also work with patients, patient advocacy groups and caregivers, the general public, and pharma companies' own internal teams.
The formats are just as varied. Publications cover congress abstracts, manuscripts, journal letters and posters. Events include congress booths and symposia. Digital work spans slide decks, videos, e-learning and social media, and print includes detail aids, brochures and handouts.
Why do pharma companies use agencies?
Pharma companies have strong in-house teams, but they can't always have every specialist skill or enough capacity for every project. Agencies bring focused expertise, fresh perspectives and extra support when it's needed. That means companies don't need to build a permanent team for each product.
Helios's core expertise is strategic communications, scientific meetings and advisory boards, publication planning and medical writing. Most of its work sits in medical affairs, alongside commercial, payer-focused and internal training work.
About Helios
Helios is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year with its Decade of Difference campaign. Emma highlighted a 90% staff retention rate. Around 70% of the client-facing team have PhDs or other higher degrees, and around 80% of the project management team have scientific degrees.
Clients are mainly pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca, Roche and Lilly, along with biotech and occasionally medical device companies. In the UK, Helios has offices in central Manchester, Alderley Edge in Cheshire, and Oxford, plus several offices in the US.
Three routes in
Helios offers three entry-level routes, each with a clear path for progression:
- Project roles: you start as a Project Coordinator, supporting project management, timelines and keeping work on track. This path leads to roles like Emma's, managing large teams, client relationships and budgets.
- Editorial roles: you start as an Associate Medical Writer, writing the content itself. This path progresses through to Scientific and Editorial Services Manager.
- Hybrid roles: you start as a Scientific Project Coordinator, doing a mix of project and editorial work.
At the time of the webinar, Helios was recruiting for Scientific Project Coordinators. Emma described the hybrid role as a great way to start, giving you a broad grounding in MedComms and plenty of variety. It also lets Helios flex resource between project and writing work, so teams stay closely connected rather than siloed.
What Helios looks for
Helios typically recruits people with a BSc, MSc or PhD in a biological, biomedical, pharmacological or medical subject. If your background is a little different, Emma encouraged you to get in touch anyway.
The skills that matter most are:
- Excellent communication, including strong written English and grammar.
- Attention to detail, the kind of person who spots a misplaced full stop or misaligned spacing.
- Teamwork, time management and problem solving, because the job is fast-paced and collaborative.
Emma was honest that people who prefer to work alone with their head down might not be the best fit. But if you want to be involved, busy and surrounded by people to learn from, it can be a brilliant career.
How to apply
The Helios application process for entry-level roles has four stages:
- Submit a CV and a cover letter explaining why you want to work at Helios.
- If shortlisted, complete a task: a writing test for hybrid or scientific roles, or a project management task. You'll also prepare a short presentation to give at interview.
- Attend a Teams interview with around four or five members of the team. Emma reassured attendees that everyone is friendly and simply wants to get to know you.
- Receive an offer or a decline.
Training and support
New starters get an individualised training programme. It begins with inductions, moves on to foundational training in Helios's systems and processes, then continues with specialist deep dives into different project types and skills.
Emma noted that learning never stops, even after 11 years in the industry. She recently attended a session on how US drug pricing policy is affecting how pharma companies market their products.
One thing that sets Helios apart is that entry-level people join a team straight away. Rather than mostly classroom-based training, you're working on real, billable projects from day one.
A day in the life
Both Pippa and Eleanor stressed that there's no such thing as a typical day in MedComms. That variety is one of the things they enjoy most.
Pippa Wade, Associate Medical Writer
As an Associate Medical Writer (AMW), Pippa takes scientific information and turns it into clear, accurate and engaging content. Depending on the account, that could be publications, slide decks, or training and meeting materials.
Here's an example of one of her days:
- Checking emails and setting priorities for the day.
- Focused writing time on a respiratory slide deck, then working through comments from internal review to make scientific updates and check accuracy and consistency.
- A client meeting to talk through feedback on a manuscript, followed by writing up the minutes and actions.
- A data check, which is a big part of the role because the science has to be accurate.
- After lunch, reviewing slides and figures from the studio team to make sure the science and messaging still hold up visually.
- A one-to-one with her line manager.
- Working on an infographic, a more visual way of telling a scientific story.
What surprised Pippa most was how varied and collaborative the job is. You're not sitting writing alone all day. You're in constant conversation with internal teams and clients, working alongside people with very different skills, and always learning a new therapy area, format or way of explaining complex science.
Her advice: you don't need to already know how to be a medical writer when you apply. A strong scientific background, clear communication, a good eye for detail and a willingness to learn are the foundations. The specific skills come through training, onboarding and experience.
Eleanor Mills, Scientific Project Coordinator
As a Scientific Project Coordinator, Eleanor works on both content development and project management. Depending on the week, the balance can shift towards one side or sit at 50-50.
On the project side, the role involves:
- Monitoring timelines and making sure work is delivered on time and on budget.
- Keeping project trackers up to date.
- Joining client calls and taking minutes.
- Liaising with external experts, particularly healthcare professionals who help deliver meetings.
- Coordinating with suppliers, such as agencies that specialise in AV or logistics.
- Developing meeting materials, from slide decks to posters and formal invitations.
- The chance to attend client meetings on site.
An example day for Eleanor might include updating status sheets so the team knows the day's priorities, and drafting a formal invitation for an advisory board. She might join a client status call and write up the minutes, then work on contracts for the advisory board members.
In the afternoon, there could be a catch-up with her line manager. Eleanor sees this as a key chance to talk through challenges, ask for training and shape the direction of her role. She'd also work with the editing and studio teams, submit symposium materials for compliance review against industry codes such as the ABPI Code, draft a poster and schedule calls with external experts.
Your questions answered
Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. Here are the answers from the session, followed by the ones we didn't have time for on the day.
What makes an entry-level application stand out?
Asked by Tom
For Emma, it's a genuine passion for communication. Helios receives plenty of CVs from talented people with the right academic background. The ones that stand out show that passion, for example through a blog, digital content or other writing.
At interview, the strongest candidates are well prepared. They've researched the industry and Helios, including how it differs from other agencies. They can explain why they want to work in MedComms, and why at Helios specifically.
How should I approach the writing test and presentation task?
Asked by Amaan
Emma said the first bar is scientific accuracy. Check, then check again, know why every word is there, and make sure every number and data point is correct. A test with lots of errors won't move forward.
After that, it's about engaging communication that's concise and right for the reader and setting. Some tests are beautifully written but far too detailed for the intended audience. The best ones are tailored to the audience, show a clear thought process and contain no unnecessary words.
Tom added that the number one rule is to keep referring back to the brief. Check who you're writing for, whether healthcare professionals or a lay audience, because that shapes your whole message.
For the presentation, the same principles apply: be accurate, engaging and as visual as possible. Emma suggested practising in front of family, timing yourself and trying different approaches, such as focusing on one element of a slide or on the audience's perspective. Keep slides concise and talk around them.
Eleanor recommended streamlining your slides and using the slide notes to explain your thought process, since the hiring team won't automatically know what you'd say. Pippa advised focusing on the story and its flow from A to B to C. Details matter too, like using consistent colours across graphs, and matching the level of detail to the audience: less for GPs, more for scientific experts.
How often do Associate Medical Writer roles open up at Helios, and where are they advertised?
Asked by Sarah
Helios recruits for entry-level roles periodically. Keep an eye on the Helios LinkedIn page and website. Helios also advertises entry-level roles on MedComms.Jobs, so sign up to the MedComms.Jobs mailing list to hear when they go live.
Coming from academia, what was the biggest challenge in adapting to medical writing?
Asked by Joshua, for Pippa
Pippa said the biggest challenge was being a complete beginner again. After years at university, a PhD and a postdoc, she was highly specialised in a niche area, and MedComms is a huge industry. The best advice she received came from Emma at the start: "Don't run before you can walk."
She found it important to take things steadily and trust that the skills would come in the role. She already knew she was strong scientifically and good at reading papers and writing. The new learning was in working with clients and getting to grips with each account's approval processes.
Do you have any advice for people moving into MedComms from a clinical background?
Asked by Dominic
Emma said several Helios team members have made the move from clinical backgrounds. In clinical roles, much of your communication with patients is verbal, whereas MedComms is mostly written materials and slides. Building that written side is probably the area to focus on.
A clinical perspective is valuable, though, because healthcare professionals are often the final audience. You can tell straight away when content is too wordy to land with clinicians and make it more concise. If it interests you, Emma encouraged you to apply.
I have a PhD and 15 years' experience in academia and industry. Will that raise concerns for an entry-level role?
Asked by Fatma (and seconded by Mira)
Tom said the key, whether you're coming from a clinical background or a long academic career, is being really clear about your motivations. Show employers why you want to move into MedComms, why that company, and what you're passionate about.
Draw on your past experience, such as involvement in publications or an interest in how patient-centred outcomes are communicated. It all comes down to how you tell your own story in your application.
What drew you to the Scientific Project Coordinator role rather than Associate Medical Writer?
Asked by Anishka, for Eleanor
Eleanor wanted a holistic view of MedComms and calls herself a jack of all trades at heart, so she couldn't pick just one side. If you enjoy the organisational and project management side of your studies, she thinks you'll enjoy a project-focused role.
What surprised her was how much communication skills matter on the project side too. Every email is held to the same standard of excellence, and she enjoys applying those skills in both scientific and non-scientific ways.
How much time is spent on site, and are there plans to expand into new locations?
Asked by Jack
Emma explained that "on site" in MedComms usually means attending a client meeting or event you've worked on, such as a symposium, and it can involve travel worldwide. At her level, that's European travel a couple of times a year. Junior team members typically go once a year or every couple of years as they build experience.
Seeing your work come to life and hearing the audience react is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. Helios's UK offices are in central Manchester, Alderley Edge and Oxford, with several more in the US. It's expanding heavily in the US but has no current plans for new UK locations.
Junior team members are in the office most days so they can learn and upskill, while most of the workforce is hybrid. Tom added that MedComms is very international. Depending on your accounts, you could travel widely, and he's had colleagues run advisory boards in Peru and attend conferences in Tokyo.
How big or influential is AI in medical writing and at Helios?
Asked by Dani
Emma said Helios has an AI and innovation team running pilots to find where AI adds value without affecting quality, and successful pilots are rolled out more widely. For example, AI now transcribes advisory board recordings, which the team then checks, and produces first drafts of meeting minutes, which are always carefully reviewed.
Her advice is to treat AI output like a first draft from someone who doesn't know everything you do. Using AI is fine at Helios, with plenty of training, as long as it's compliant and benefits the agency and clients. Helios isn't using AI to draft medical writing content; it's focused on supporting tasks.
Tom added that AI is great for speeding up workflows but won't replace a MedComms professional's core expertise. The industry is tightly regulated and accuracy is critical. Creativity, spotting gaps and developing ideas and strategy for clients still need people, and across the agencies Tom works with, AI is generally used in a supporting role.
Questions we didn't get to on the day
Is there anything we can do to support our application in terms of experience, such as a blog or internship?
Asked by Anishka
As Emma mentioned earlier, a blog, digital content or other writing can really help your application by showing your passion for communication. Extra-curricular science communication, such as explaining complex scientific topics to younger audiences, is another good way to show you can tailor science to different audiences.
Is it best to apply for a job through Helios or through MedComms.Jobs?
Asked by Adam
Either! Applications through MedComms.Jobs go directly to the Helios team for review.
For candidates moving into a Scientific Project Coordinator role without direct MedComms experience, which skills or experiences stand out most at the CV and cover letter stage? And what does career progression typically look like from Scientific Project Coordinator to Project Manager?
Asked by Ashwin
As Emma mentioned, evidence of a genuine passion for communication, such as a blog or other writing, helps an application stand out. Eleanor also noted that if you enjoy the organisational and project management side of your studies, you're likely to enjoy a project-focused role.
In other agencies, similar roles are often called Account Executive and offer a comparable path into client services. As you gain experience, you'll take on more responsibility for managing and leading client accounts, contributing to communications strategy and supporting agency business development.
Are Helios's main offices only in the area near Macclesfield? And are vacancies at each location listed separately, or can candidates choose their preferred working location?
Asked by Jack
Helios's UK offices are in central Manchester, Alderley Edge and Oxford. Individual roles may specify a location, but applications are welcome for all of them.
As someone graduating in August 2027, when would you recommend applying to these roles?
Asked by Isabel
Summer 2027 is probably the best time to start looking. Most employers' application processes take 4–6 weeks, but some intakes may open earlier.
Could you tell me a little more about the writing test and what it is designed to assess?
Asked by Rachel
As Emma explained above, the first thing the writing test looks for is scientific accuracy. After that, it assesses whether your writing is concise, engaging and tailored to the audience and the brief. Agencies are looking for applicants who can write with creativity and accuracy, showing a correct understanding of both the science and the brief they've been set.
Apart from a portfolio, what can someone with an MSc do to upskill and break into this industry?
Asked by Farhiyo
As Pippa said in her talk, you don't need to already know how to be a medical writer when you apply. A strong scientific background, clear communication, a good eye for detail and a willingness to learn are the foundations.
Any examples of scientific writing you can bring from work experience or extra-curricular activities will help your application stand out. We'd also recommend looking for medical writing courses, or activities run by industry bodies such as ISMPP, the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) or the European Medical Writers Association (EMWA).
I'm a medical writer with work rights in Canada and the EU. Given the UK-based requirements, could you recommend specific teams within Helios Global Group, or other agencies, that consider Canada or EU talent for remote or freelance work? Would your US team be a useful starting point?
Asked by Jay
For freelance work, it's best to network with as many agencies as possible and keep an eye on job boards like MedComms.Jobs. Each agency has its own approach to freelance and remote work, and to where and how it hires.
Agencies usually look for freelance writers with a long track record in medical communications agency work, given how specialised the field is. If you're based in Canada, you're probably best looking at small and medium-sized agencies in North America to help build your portfolio.
Next steps
If you liked what you heard, Helios is currently recruiting for Scientific Project Coordinators. You can find out more and apply here: https://heliosglobalgroup.com/join-us/
To hear about future entry-level roles, follow Helios on LinkedIn and sign up to the MedComms.Jobs mailing list.
A big thank you to Emma, Pippa and Eleanor for sharing their time and insights, and to Helios for taking part. And thanks to everyone who joined us and sent in such great questions.