Climate Science Editor / Fact-checker

Closing date: 15 March 2023

Science Feedback

Contact

[email protected] 

Science Feedback is looking for a climate science editor (full-time or part-time freelance) to work on writing reviews of influential claims in collaboration with scientists and academics.

We are looking for methodical and rigorous candidates who are strongly motivated to tackle misinformation and provide readers with accurate information. Candidates should be deeply committed to scientific objectivity and be willing to debunk misinformation wherever it comes from.

Job responsibilities:

Primary

• Write reviews assessing the veracity of viral information that claims to be science-based.
  This entails:
  • monitoring social media and the news to identify claims related to climate that need to be reviewed,
  • identifying experts and seeking comments from sources including our network of scientists, finding and evaluating the strength of bibliographic references in the peer-reviewed literature,
  • writing the content of reviews and edit the contributions made by scientists (copy-editing, adding figures, links to references, etc.);

• Write “Insight” articles explaining the state of knowledge on specific scientific questions of public interest, with emphasis on explaining the scientific method and how science allows us to understand how the world works;
• Help journalists and fact-checkers from other organizations verify scientific information;
• Review other contributors’ articles.

Secondary

• Communicate with our network of contributing scientists; identify and invite new experts;
• Contribute to promoting our reviews with media partners and on social media;
• Review social media posts or short viral videos that make claims about climate and science.

Skills required:

• Excellent writing and editing skills:
  • ability to explain scientific results and processes in terms understandable to a broad audience,
  • ability to write articles that are accurate, robust and discuss all relevant evidence,
• Excellent knowledge about how science works, the scientific method to (in)validate hypotheses;
• Excellent understanding of the scientific publication process. Science editors need to be able to identify academics’ expertise based on the quality of their scientific publications and detect potential conflicts of interest;
• Perfect mastery of English. Fluency in other languages, notably languages spoken in Europe, is a plus;
• Ability to draft posts and publish in WordPress (Gutenberg);
• Non-partisanship: Our staff and freelance contributors are required to not be involved in advocacy/political campaigning.

Experience needed:

• Experience working as a science journalist, editor at a scientific journal or as a fact-checker
• Experience writing about climate change and interviewing/working with scientists
• Candidates with a scientific background (PhD or Master of Science) and communication skills or a science journalism background are both encouraged to apply

Details

Full-time Position

• Work location: Paris 19e, France; remote work is possible;
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience;
• Benefits include health coverage, paid time off, 50% transport, restaurant vouchers

Freelance Position

• Yearly contract with minimum of 8 hours per week;
• Work location can be Paris, France or remote (we have contributors in the USA, Brazil, Spain, Singapore);
• Competitive compensation;

To apply

Fill this form where you can upload:

• a cover letter highlighting relevant experience and motivation for applying to the position, specifying which scientific field(s) you can cover,
• a resume,
• 2 writing samples.

We will consider applications as they arrive before 15 March 2023 and conduct interviews and writing tests with select candidates.

For further information: https://sciencefeedback.co/hiring-climate-science-editor-fact-checker/

Email us at [email protected] if you have any questions or if you cannot submit your application via the form.