Research Journalists & Write Tailored PR Pitches for Healthcare Tech Startup

We are looking to hire a research-driven PR contractor to help us build long-term relationships with journalists and publications in the healthcare and health-tech space.

This is not a traditional press-release role. We are looking for someone who is deeply comfortable with research, journalist mapping, and thoughtful, tailored outreach. The goal is to create a sustainable PR foundation that we can build on for years, not to blast pitches at scale.

About the Project:

Our company operates in the healthcare / health-tech space and frequently touches on topics related to access, affordability, and the shortcomings of the U.S. healthcare system. We want to position ourselves as a credible, informed resource for journalists covering these areas.

This role will focus on identifying the right journalists, publications, and angles — and helping us approach them in a way that is relevant, timely, and respectful of how modern journalism works today.

Scope of Work & Deliverables:

The contractor will be responsible for:

• Researching and identifying 5–7 comparable or adjacent brands in the healthcare / health-tech space (e.g., companies known for strong marketing and media presence)

• Identifying journalists who have written consistently about those brands within the past 12 months

• Identifying publications that covered early stage brands in the same space

• Building a target list of ~10 core publications we aim to develop long-term relationships with

• Mapping relevant journalists at each publication, including:

• Recent coverage topics

• Writing style and beat focus

• Preferred angles and interests

• Drafting short, tailored outreach emails (2–3 sentences) customized for each journalist

• Helping define and refine newsworthy angles, particularly around systemic healthcare issues

• Assisting with the creation of light research or survey concepts that could support future pitches

• Advising on timing, exclusivity, and embargo considerations when appropriate

How This Role Works:

• You will work independently, but in close collaboration with our internal team

• We will provide context, brand positioning, and strategic direction

• You will be expected to bring structure, research rigor, and thoughtful recommendations

• This is a strategic execution role, not just task completion

Timeline & Expectations:

• Initial engagement is month to month

• Early focus will be on research, mapping, and foundation-building

• Outreach will be intentional and paced, not rushed

• We value quality over quantity and long-term credibility over short-term placements

Required Experience:

• Prior experience in PR, media relations, journalism research, or editorial support

• Strong research skills and attention to detail

• Demonstrated ability to tailor messaging to individual journalists (no mass pitching)

• Clear, concise writing style

• Familiarity with modern media landscapes, including Substack and independent journalism

• Comfort working with sensitive, nuanced topics in healthcare

Experience working with healthcare, health-tech, or regulated industries is a strong plus, but not required if your research skills are strong.

What We’re Looking For:

We are especially interested in candidates who:

• Enjoy the research side of PR

• Understand what makes a story genuinely newsworthy

• Respect journalists’ time and preferences

• Are comfortable advising, not just executing

• Can help us think strategically about long-term media relationships

Please respond thoughtfully to the screening questions. Proposals that do not address them may not be considered.

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