We are seeking a Science Writer to join the Earth Science News Team at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD.
The ideal candidate will be a rigorous reporter and clear, engaging writer with an interest in harnessing multimedia to tell creative stories in new ways. This candidate will cover breaking Earth science news (e.g., natural events; published science results), along with narrative features on topics like air quality, greenhouse gases, severe weather, and sea level rise.
Writing for a science institution requires initiative, persistence and diplomacy. As a translator between scientists and engineers, and the public, you need patience, an ability to accept constructive criticism, and a healthy self-confidence in your craft. Millions of readers trust the depth and quality of NASA’s Earth science news stories, and creating this content demands acute attention to detail and accuracy.
The successful candidate will:
- Contribute to news stories, feature stories, and press releases for the NASA.gov and science.nasa.gov/Earth website
- Create material for and contribute to NASA’s social media efforts
- Find and report on new story ideas through interactions with scientists and engineers at NASA and at academic institutions it funds for research
- Provide media relations and other communications support to scientists and public affairs offices as required
Required Skills:
- BA/BS degree in English, journalism, or science or technical writing
- At least 3-5 years of experience reporting, writing, and editing on deadline
- Be creative, adaptable, and comfortable with new media trends
- Experience translating complex concepts into compelling, public-friendly stories
- Initiative and persistence in mining new story ideas
- Must be US citizen or permanent resident
Desired Skills:
- Experience writing about science or technical subjects for non-scientists
- Experience collaborating with visual producers, data visualizers, and scientists to produce stories
- Familiarity with Earth science and environmental science
- Familiarity with NASA missions and projects
- Familiarity with the Associated Press Stylebook
- Familiarity with content management systems or graphics software
** Applicants will be expected to provide three samples of their writing/content creation, preferably about Earth or environmental science. One of those samples should be unedited (e.g., a manuscript before it was edited by your publication). **
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