Science Writer

U.S. Right to Know is seeking a science writer for an investigative project on pesticides and their impact on the environment and human health.

U.S. Right to Know is a nonprofit public health research group working globally to expose corporate wrongdoing and government failures that threaten our health, environment and food system. We uncover, report on and share documents obtained through public records laws and from whistleblowers, and collaborate with public health academics and journalists around the world.

Our investigations into the ultra-processed food and pesticide industries have been reported on worldwide, leading to four New York Times articles; 14 articles in the BMJ, one of the world’s leading medical journals; and 16 co-authoredpeer-reviewed public health journal articles. Our team has also reported extensively on the origins of Covid-19 and high-risk virological research.

Our fact sheets on chemicals of concern – for example, aspartame, sucralose, glyphosate, dicamba, 2,4-D and PFAS – have been read by more than one million people.

The science writer will be responsible for leading an investigation related to the environmental and public health effects of pesticides. The investigation will review scientific information, so the writer must be able to assess and synthesize scientific studies and arguments. The writer will prepare articles based on investigative findings, as well as new scientific developments as they arise.

The writer can be based anywhere in the United States.

Qualifications

Investigative journalism experience is preferred
Exceptional writing and research skills
Background in science is preferred
Knowledge of food, agriculture, environmental, pesticide issues is preferred
Computer literate, and comfortable with acquiring new skills
Flexible and able to manage multiple projects in a timely manner
Self-motivated and able to work independently

This position is available immediately. Compensation is competitive and based on experience. Please submit a cover letter, resume and three writing samples to Gary Ruskin, executive director of U.S. Right to Know, at gary@usrtk.org. In the email subject line, please write: “SCIENCE WRITER”.

U.S. Right to Know is an equal opportunity employer. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, please see usrtk.org.