Temporary Correspondent, Science Desk

The Science Desk is seeking an engaged, curious and skeptical journalist for a 10month reporting job. The Science Desk strives to tell great stories, and its journalists move seamlessly between covering breaking news and producing deeply reported feature stories. The ideal candidate is able to turn compelling stories on the latest scientific research, and also craft larger stories that draw from a depth of knowledge and context about scientific research about topics including space flight, astrophysics, human origins, geology, archeology, general basic science and science policy. The correspondent will seek to find joy and wonder in the topics, as well as be able to report on the serious work of science. This position may involve travel.

Successful NPR reporters develop leads for enterprise stories and report and produce special projects for broadcast, digital and podcast audiences. They initiate and develop shortterm feature stories and indepth enterprise reports; file brief news spots and digital posts; and help prepare multimedia presentations. They are adept at meeting tight deadlines for quickturn broadcast segments and digital stories while also keeping longterm projects on track.

This position is a 10month, fulltime assignment, based in Washington DC.

Please include a cover letter with links to a minimum of 3 clips of your work in your application.

This is a union represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with SAGAFTRA.

This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook. All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff are defined as staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPRs content, including events.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate knowledge and welldeveloped curiosity about science news.
• Evaluate research and studies for strengths, weaknesses and relevance to our audience, and explain it clearly and succinctly.
• Cultivate and maintain sources in a variety of scientific fields to stay ahead of developments in those areas.
• Combine storytelling, clear writing and voicing to communicate in a compelling way.
• Connect with and hold the attention of our audience, enhancing their engagement and loyalty.
• Contribute to NPR’s daily news coverage by working on a variety of short, medium and longterm stories to be able to cover the daily news as well as provide feature stories.
• A teamwork mentality, flexibility, and a proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public media system.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes, with changing priorities and conditions.
• Actively cultivate sources from underrepresented and diverse communities.

• The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

  Preferred Qualifications

  • Five years’ experience as a science news reporter.
  • Three years experience as a broadcast reporter.
  • A Bachelor’s degree in science.
  • Proven ability to interpret science for broadcast and text audiences.
  • Track record as a creative storyteller and editor across journalistic forms, and across a variety of media.
  • An engaged journalist with solid news judgment and familiar with the 24hour news cycle.
  • Experience maintaining high journalistic standards under deadline pressure, including standards of accuracy and objectivity;
  • Willingness to work a flexible schedule.
  • Ability and willingness to relocate. In the future, NPR may choose to transfer employees to other geographic locations. Severance provisions of the AFTRA collective bargaining agreement will apply should you choose not to accept a transfer.

  • Education Requirements

    • Bachelors degree or equivalent in work experience

    • Work Location & Requirements

      • Remote Permitted: This is a remote permitted role. This role is based out of our Washington, DC office but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves. You will have the option of working (a) remotely from a location of your choosing within the United States that is supported by NPR; (b) onsite at an NPR facility, based on the availability of desks and approval from NPR; or (c) a combination of both. Regardless of where you choose to work from, you may be expected to travel to other locations from time to time to perform the duties of your position.

      • Required SkillsCompetencies

        • Five years’ reporting experience in science news, demonstrating a deep and extensive knowledge of the beat, including regular strong enterprise reporting and scoops.
        • Three years experience in daily broadcast reporting.
        • Proven ability to work effectively with minimal supervision, even in complicated situations.

        • Job Type

          • This is a temporary (10month) full time position.

          • Compensation

            Hourly Rate: The U.S. based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is $58.89 $60.10 per hour. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum hourly rate NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

            Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, fulltime employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR’s benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial wellbeing. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life accidental death and dismemberment, longterm disability, shortterm disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees.

            Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

            The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

            NPR Pay Range

            $58.89—$60.10 USD

            NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender nonconforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

            If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to employeerelations@npr.org.

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