Opinion and Analysis Editor at Scientific American

July 23, 2021
New York, NY

Scientific American, the oldest continuously published magazine in the U.S., has been bringing its readers unique insights about developments in science and technology since 1845. The monthly print magazine has a circulation of 300,000 and together with its 14 local language editions worldwide the brand has a monthly print circulation of 635,000. Online, Scientific American’s web site attracts more than 10 million people each month, and the brand reaches more than 60 million people through its social media channels and email newsletters.
 

Scientific American seeks an Opinion Editor to manage our print and digital opinion and analysis coverage. 

The Opinion and Analysis Editor will be responsible for commissioning insightful, timely and well-supported opinion and analysis pieces for print and online. Scientific American’s opinion department covers all fields of science, health, the environment, technology and related political and policy issues. The Opinion and Analysis Editor will work closely with other senior staff to identify and cover the most important events and issues in ways that complement Scientific American’s news, features and multimedia content. The editor should have or be well positioned to develop a network of writers with a wide variety of expertise and lived experience. We particularly value contributions from writers who have been historically underrepresented in STEM and journalism. The Opinion and Analysis Editor should be eager to work with professional writers as well as scientists and scholars from different fields and career stages to ensure a steady stream of high-quality opinion content, including staff editorials as well as guest essays by journalists, experts and other contributors. 

Key Tasks:

  • Solicit and review pitches for opinion articles in print and online, make assignments and edit articles.
  • Solicit proposals for staff editorials in print and online, and lead a monthly meeting to reveiw those proposals and select among them; edit editorials.
  • Work with Scientific American columnists and edit regular columns.
  • Ensure diversity among contributing writers and in viewpoints published.
  • Work with engagement editor and other senior staff to promote opinion content across various channels and to provide forums for debates and discussions related to that content.
  • Work with other senior editors on general content strategy and planning across the Scientific American brand. 

Experience/Qualifications/Skills

  • Educated to College degree
  • At least 6 to 8 years as a working journalist; ideally 3 to 4 years writing/editing opinion content 
  • Excellent editing and writing skills; command and comfort with journalistic values and best practices. 
  • Ability to propose and identify interesting, engaging, and newsworthy topics and stories that are amenable for opinion coverage.
  • Fluency in basic science topics and fields.
  • Strong knowledge of best practices in diversity, equity and inclusion in relation to journalism generally and to opinion content in particular.
  • Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, including personnel management and conflict resolution.
  • Demonstrated skills in working with teams on print and digital projects.
  • Familiarity with online content data and analytics. 

To be considered please submit your resume and cover letter by the application deadline, August 16, 2021. Early applications are encouraged and will be considered on a rolling basis. 

If you are an internal candidate please inform your line manager. 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: 

  • Medical, Dental and Vision
  • Life and AD&D
  • 401(k)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Transit Accounts
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Summer Hours 

At Springer Nature we value the diversity of our teams. We recognize the many benefits of a diverse workforce with equitable opportunities for everyone. We strive for an inclusive workplace that empowers all our colleagues to thrive. Our search for the best talent fully encompasses and embraces these values and principles. 

Springer Nature is an Equal Opportunity Employer that complies with the laws and regulations set forth in the following “Equal Employment Opportunity Is The Law” poster: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. 

For information about our Research Editorial and Publishing career opportunities please visit the new Springer Nature E&P website at www.springernature.com/editorial-and-publishing-jobs. 

Springer Nature is a leading global research, educational and professional publisher, home to an array of respected and trusted brands providing quality content through a range of innovative products and services. 

Springer Nature is the world’s largest academic book publisher, publisher of the world’s highest impact journals and a pioneer in the field of open research. The company numbers almost 13,000 staff in over 50 countries and has a turnover of approximately EUR 1.5 billion. Springer Nature was formed in 2015 through the merger of Nature Publishing Group, Palgrave Macmillan, Macmillan Education and Springer Science+Business Media.

For more information, or to apply, click here.