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. This is a full-time position based in the Simons Foundation offices in New York City.

We offer a generous salary and truly excellent benefits.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/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.

• In addition to competitive salaries, the Simons Foundation provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.