Which jobs/fields combine research and writing? (letters, applying, non-profit)

[Wordsmith12]

I currently work in copywriting. My passions lie in writing and research. I am more left-brained than I am right-brained.

Sometimes I feel copywriting isn't really what I want to do over the long term. The focus is on selling in the fewest words possible. It's all about being snappy and creative. What's more, it's highly political -- everyone is always trying to put their finger in the pie and thinks their ideas are best.

I'm the type of person who loves conducting research, writing reports and lengthy letters, etc. I like writing to inform and explain, not to amuse and sell. Put simply, I like writing a lot and in a more professional/analytical tone - the type of writing many others would find long, dry, and boring.

I'm not really creative, but I am intellectually curious. Not knocking on copywriting, but it doesn't require the level of intellectual rigor I'd love in a job. I would love to be in a field where I'm considered a specialist/subject matter expertin whatever it is I'm writing. That makes it less likely others will tear up what you've written, as their knowledge of the subject matter isn't as deep as yours.

Does this mean I should cease applying for marketing jobs and aim for writing jobs in more research-driven fields? What would those be? Law? Finance? Education?

[shadowfax]

Could you do grant writing for scientific researchers?

[jade408]

Be an industry analyst (Forester, Gardner, 451 Group are all options.).
Basically your job is to meet with vendors and write about a particular space. And convince people that your research is helpful.

[jakabedy]

Technical writing. Often they try to take a subject matter person and turn him into a writer, but that doesn't always work. The ability to communicate through speech and writing is becoming increasingly rare, but some technical writing positions still want a prereq. in the field. You should still look at those positions, though. Look at academic research facilities and any companies that are producing, marketing and selling complicated things.

[rv224]

Grant writing for a non-profit

[AleeGee]

Have you ever considered being a paralegal? Legal assistants are their name, and research is their game.