Technical author

The work of a technical author varies between industries and employers, but typical activities include:

Assessing the audience and the nature of the documentation required

• Attending planning/briefing meetings
• Collaborating with developers and managers to clarify technical issues
• Liaising with subject matter experts and sales and marketing specialists
• Working with translators, printers and service providers

Researching and gathering the information required

• Understanding the technology and applications for which documentation is to be prepared
• Gathering and analysing the information needs of the user

Presenting the information

• Organising information according to the user's needs
• Writing, editing and presenting information
• Commissioning, coordinating or preparing illustrations
• Indexing and cataloguing material
• Copy-editing

This area of work is open to all, although a degree is often required. A qualification in technical writing or evidence of formal training is often necessary as well. Experience producing software or similar documentation can be helpful.

The following subjects may improve your chances or may be required:

• Communications
• English
• IT, technical or scientific
• Journalism

Although a pre-entry postgraduate qualification is often not needed, specialist courses are available and usually prove useful. Doctoral graduates are often employed for their specialist subject knowledge.

Pre-entry practical experience of the subject is an advantage in job applications.

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

• A feel for words and a good command of grammar and vocabulary
• A concern for verbal consistency and an appreciation of tone and style
• An enquiring mind with attention to detail
• An ability to grasp and structure large amounts of information
• Clear thinking
• Imagination an ability to anticipate the reader's knowledge gaps
• Skill at explaining on paper
• Editorial judgement
• Accuracy and a methodical approach to work
• The ability to work to tight schedules
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Analytical skills, the ability to express instructions clearly and briefly in simple English
• Good documentation skills and the ability to produce visually attractive instructions
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, to gather information from and for people
• The ability to work successfully as part of a multidisciplinary team
• A good understanding of word processors and other communication tools

• Average salary range is £30,000 - £35,000 (salary data collected December  2009).
• Typical starting salary is £18,000 (salary data collected December  2009).
• Salaries at senior level/with experience is £30,000 - £45,000 (salary data collected December  2009).
• Range of daily pay for contract work is £180 - £350. Self-employment or freelance work is common. Contracts vary from a few days to several months and writers typically work on several projects at once.

Salaries vary according to your level of experience.

Sector information

Doctoral graduates from 2006-9 working in this occupation were known to be employed in the following profiled sectors six months after graduation:

• Engineering, manufacturing, technology and construction
• Financial services
• Health
• Higher education
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Public administration
• Scientific research and development

Disciplinary background

The most common disciplinary backgrounds for doctoral graduates (2006-2009) entering technical author jobs were:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Clinical medicine
• Microbiology
• Veterinary medicine

But individuals from a wide range of science, social science and humanities disciplines got jobs as technical authors on completing their doctorates.

None available

• New Scientist Jobs
• Times Educational Supplement (TES)
• Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC)  
• techauthors
• The Daily Telegraph
• Authoring House   
• Cherryleaf  
• Clifford Sells  
• Plain Words  
• Write Authors