Call for "Journalist in Residence" (m/f/x) in 2026

HITS gGmbH; Heidelberg; Remote; EUR 40.000 - 60.000; Teilzeit

Zusammenfassung

The Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS) is offering a 'Journalist in Residence' program for experienced science journalists. This unique opportunity allows successful candidates to engage with researchers in a collaborative environment for three to six months while being compensated €6,000 per month. Interested applicants must demonstrate a solid background in science journalism and provide relevant work samples. This program aims to enhance the understanding of the research process, fostering a deeper public discourse on scientific topics.

Qualifikationen

• At least five years of experience as a science journalist.
• A good command of spoken and written English.
• Basic knowledge of German is recommended, but not mandatory.

Aufgaben

• Delve into new areas of research and deepen technical knowledge.
• Learn about machine learning and data-driven science.
• Encourage dialogue between journalists and researchers.

Jobbeschreibung

Call for "Journalist in Residence" (m/f/x) in 2026

Freelancer,Full or part-time· Heidelberg

Are you an experienced science journalist? Would you like to delve into new areas of research and deepen your technical knowledge? Or learn more about machine learning and the methods of data-driven science in Germany? The “Journalist in Residence” program at the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS) offers a stay of three to six months.

Compensation: € 6,000 per month.
Deadline for the 2026 applications: 5 October 2025

The program
The HITS“Journalist in Residence” program is geared towards freelance and staff science journalists with at least five years of experience and a focus on sciences and technology. It is open to all media (print, online, radio, TV), one of its goals is to encourage dialogue between journalists and researchers, thus providing journalists with a better understanding of the way research works and how researchers think. A good command of spoken and written English is mandatory. At least basic knowledge of German is recommended, but not mandatory.
Journalists are not expected to publish anything related to HITS in return. Instead, the program supports free and independent journalism.

More information of the program in ourpress release
FAQ see here

Application requirements:
Applications should include the following documents:

• Cover letter
• CV
• Proof of journalistic work in the area of science and technology: Maximum of 5 work samples. Please send your articles in PDF format. If none of the texts is in German or English, please attach a translation of at least one work sample in German or English. If you have sound and/or video files, please collect the links to the files in a PDF document.
• Letter of motivation: How will your time at HITS be spent? Which research groups or projects are particularly interesting to you and why? What projects would you like to work on during the time of your stay?
• For staff journalists: A letter of recommendation from the chief editor or a head of section is required.