News Editor
About the role
The Transmitter offers up-to-date news and analysis of the field of neuroscience, with a special focus on basic neuroscience research, and is dedicated to helping scientists at all career stages stay current and build connections. Our award-winning team is looking for a News Editor to join our newsroom in New York City. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced science journalist to shape and edit news, high-impact scoops and accountability stories that include in-depth, revealing reporting—and are strong contenders in awards competitions.
Reporting to the Managing Editor, the News Editor will work with The Transmitter’s staff and a stable of accomplished freelancers to assign, guide and edit a mix of news, enterprise stories and scoops. The News Editor should have a track record of producing high-impact scoops and award-caliber work. A background or strong interest in basic neuroscience research is essential. The Transmitter is an initiative of the Simons Foundation but is editorially independent.
Responsibilities
- Work with staff reporters and a stable of accomplished freelancers to develop strong pitches for news and in-depth enterprise stories, profiles and accountability pieces that educate, challenge and inspire our audience of neuroscientists
- Assign and edit articles
- Help select and manage interns and recruit new freelance reporters
- Oversee copyediting and fact-checking process for stories
- Ensure diversity in coverage and sourcing
- Collaborate with our art director to develop compelling visuals and data-rich graphics for stories
- Contribute to editorial planning meetings, helping shape the team’s coverage priorities and story mix
- Perform other writing and editing duties or tasks as assigned or required
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in a scientific discipline (neuroscience preferred)
- An advanced degree in science and/or journalism preferred
Experience
- At least five years of news editing experience
- Ability to edit articles on complex scientific topics accurately for a specialist audience
Related Skills & Other Requirements
- Must be passionate about The Transmitter’s coverage area of basic neuroscience research
- Must have exceptional communication and grammar skills (written and verbal)
- Collegiality in working with staff and freelance reporters and editors
- Ability to collaborate across teams
- Must be familiar with and adhere to journalistic ethics
- Must be able to write clearly and accurately under tight deadlines
- Affinity for trade journalism and The Transmitter’s mission
- Familiarity with science policy
- Keen sense of news
- Strong work ethic and ability to work independently
- Attention to detail
- Ability to manage tight deadlines and juggle multiple assignments
- Social media skills
Compensation
The full-time annual compensation range for the News Editor is $110,000 to $125,000, depending on experience.