US Assistant News Editor
Salary: $75,000 to 85,000 USD,
Workplace Type: New York Office, hybrid – 3 days in office, 2 days work from home
Address: 600 5th Avenue, 7th floor, New York, NY 10020
Job Introduction
New Scientist is the world’s leading weekly science and technology magazine. We are seeking an Assistant News Editor to join our New York office.
Founded in 1956 for “all those interested in scientific discovery and its social consequences”, New Scientist has teams in New York and London that cover international news from a scientific standpoint and ask the biggest-picture questions about life, the universe, and what it means to be human.
About The Role
This position will support the commissioning, editing, and publishing of a high volume of articles from the news team.
The assistant news editor will be responsible for editing and publishing three or more online stories a day, to ensure newscientist.com provides a constant stream of fascinating and relevant news content. The role will also involve supporting the US Editor and helping to prepare stories for print publication and podcast segments.
The Assistant News Editor will work across multiple subject beats and article formats, making the most of our expert reporting team. The Assistant News Editor will step in when the US Editor or Senior News Editor are absent, helping to lead the news team. They will also work closely with the podcast team, pitching stories and joining the podcast recording to discuss the week’s most exciting articles. The Assistant News Editor will also play a role in New Scientist’s events, pitching topics and speakers, as well as hosting.
There is a possibility that the role may be expanded for a candidate with more experience to include commissioning and editing opinion pieces for New Scientist’s Comment section, as well as participating in feature editing. If you are interested in a role on New Scientist’s US team and are a mid-career editor with skills not outlined here, please include in your cover letter a note about the experience you can bring to our news team.
New Scientist offers a hybrid working environment, and all employees will be given the necessary equipment to work from home two days per week should they desire to. This role is based in our New York office. Applicants must have the right to work in the US.
Main Responsibilities
Editing news stories across all science and technology subjects, for multiple news article formats
Editing reporters’ copy to be compelling, readable, and in line withNew Scientist’s high standards and house style
Providing feedback to reporters on their copy and how to improve it
Commissioning essential, exciting and topical news articles
Publishing directly in the CMS
Writing must-click headlines and social sells
Working with the digital team to promote articles to the widest audience possible
Collaborating with the digital team to enhance stories with videos, GIFs, graphics and other digital features
Contributing to the New Scientist Weekly podcast with story pitches and periodically joining the podcast
Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
At least one year’s news editing experience at a national or international news organisation
At least one further years’ experience as a reporter writing about science news
Wide and up to date knowledge of science and technology, and a passionate interest in both
Excellent commissioning and editing skills
Good understanding of digital journalism
Good understanding of US and UK libel and defamation laws
Good contacts and knowledge of the wider industry
Understanding of communities, social media and multimedia
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS
Able to generate inventive and compelling ideas
Excellent editorial judgement and an imaginative approach to science, technology and environmental journalism
Excellent interpersonal and management skills
Able to work effectively on deadline
Organised
Self-starter
Proactive
Confident and assertive
Flexible and adaptive
BENEFITS PACKAGE
Our generous benefits package for US employees includes health, dental and optical care, 401k and paid family leave in line with New York state law. We also have a matching program for charitable giving.
ABOUT NEW SCIENTIST
New Scientist is a magazine for the insatiably curious. We ask the big-picture questions about life, the universe and what it means to be human. Since our publication was founded in 1956 for “all those interested in scientific discovery and its social consequences”, it has expanded to include newsletters, videos, podcasts, courses and live events in the UK, US and Australia. Our headquarters are in London, UK, and we also have a growing bureau in New York.
At a time when misinformation is an increasingly corrosive force, there has never been a greater need for a trusted, impartial source of information about what is going on in the world – or a greater need for inspiration through exceptional ideas.
From artificial intelligence to climate change, the latest innovations in health to the mysteries of quantum physics and the human mind, New Scientist covers the ideas and innovations that matter.