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. Apply tot his job