Temporary Correspondent, Science Desk

The Science Desk is seeking an engaged, curious and skeptical journalist for a 10-month 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 short-term feature stories and in-depth enterprise reports; file brief news spots and digital posts; and help prepare multimedia presentations. They are adept at meeting tight deadlines for quick-turn broadcast segments and digital stories while also keeping long-term projects on track.

This position is a 10-month, full-time 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 SAG-AFTRA.

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 NPR's content, including events.

• Demonstrate knowledge and well-developed 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 long-term 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 under-represented 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.

• 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 24-hour 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.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in work experience

• 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) on-site 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.

• 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.

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

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, full-time 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 well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees.

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