WSJ seeks drug industry and regulatory reporter

The Wall Street Journal is looking for an enterprising, probing reporter to cover the pharmaceutical industry and the ways it intersects with the agencies that regulate it and seed its research.

Drug and device makers operate in close contact with the Food and Drug Administration, whose evaluation of their products they also help fund. The basic research conducted at the National Institutes of Health can become the foundation for eventual new drugs and vaccines. The dynamics of these relationships have never been more impactful than now as the public and private sectors work together to fight the pandemic.

You will work in close contact with the rest of the pharmaceutical team to dominate the news out of the industry and the agencies, whether involving Covid-19, controversial drug and device approvals or changes in leadership. You will probe deeply inside the relationships between industry and these institutions to illuminate their inner workings. Experience covering drug makers or federal agencies is desirable, but not required. What is required is a demonstrated ability to develop sources, break news and juggle breaking stories with long-term projects and compelling narratives.

To apply, please submit your resume, a cover letter explaining how you would approach the job and five work samples, especially any that broke news and show an ability to penetrate large organizations and cultivate sources..

The job is based in Washington, D.C., and reports to Health Business Bureau Chief Jonathan Rockoff. While you will likely start the job working remotely, you will eventually be based in our D.C. office.

To apply, go here.