Data Journalist

Guardian News and Media Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Six weeks annual leave (+ bank hols)

Pension contributions 8–12%

Private healthcare

Life cover & income protection

Season ticket loans

Dental insurance

IVF and menopause policy

Job summary

The Guardian is seeking a data journalist to collaborate on data projects across the newsroom, generating investigative data storytelling that informs readers and strengthens accountability journalism.

You will acquire, clean and analyse datasets, develop data-driven formats, and communicate clearly with reporters and editors to tell stories across formats under tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• Significant experience using data to generate strong news lines and rigorous analysis.
• Experience with data sourcing, cleaning and analysis; strong data literacy.
• Proficient with spreadsheet and database software; Google Sheets or equivalent.
• Knowledge of coding languages such as Python or R is a plus.
• Ability to present complex information clearly and innovatively.
• Understanding AI risks and possibilities in data journalism.
• Interest in current affairs domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Generate and develop story ideas and projects using ground-breaking methodologies.
• Acquire, clean, and analyse datasets from multiple sources under significant time pressure.
• Conceptualise data news stories across formats including written news, visuals, social posts, video and newsletters.
• Identify the best storytelling approach and plan visual projects with colleagues.
• Communicate with reporters, correspondents, visual journalists and editors on data-focused stories.

Skills

Data analysis

Data sourcing

Data cleaning

Google Sheets

Python

R

Communication

Quantitative methods

Job description

Join our team at the Guardian and be a part of a diverse and inclusive global organisation that delivers fearless, investigative journalism, and holds power to account. Our team of award-winning journalists, cutting-edge commercial professionals, and industry-leading digital experts are committed to making a difference and represent a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. We offer a challenging and exciting environment for career development, with a focus on training, growth and fostering an inclusive culture.

We're looking for a data journalist to collaborate on data projects across the newsroom.

As a journalist on the data projects team you'll collaborate on exciting data projects across the newsroom, generate and provide impactful data journalism, whether that's revealing the state of decay Britain's high streets find themselves in or the ‘dark and exploitative' world of toddler skincare on TikTok.

You'll pitch and develop a range of data-driven formats – from breaking news lines to in-depth investigations, explainers, in-charts analyses and feature-led analysis – using empirical insights to engage readers and strengthen accountability journalism.

This is a full-time, permanent NUJ contract on a five day per-week working pattern.

About the role

• Generate and develop story ideas and projects that use sophisticated and ground-breaking methodologies.
• Acquire, clean, and analyse datasets from multiple sources, often under significant time pressure
• Ability to conceptualise data news stories and news features across a range of formats, including written news, visual features social posts, video and newsletters
• Identify the best way of telling a story, being able to understand when a visual treatment is the right option and work with colleagues to conceptualise and plan visual projects
• Clearly communicate and collaborate with reporters, correspondents, visual journalists and editors across the newsroom on a range of data-focused stories.

About you

• Significant experience working with data to generate strong news lines and rigorous analysis
• Skilled in data sourcing, cleaning and analysis with demonstrable data literacy
• Skilled with spreadsheet and database software. Excellent knowledge of Google sheets or equivalent; R, Python or any other coding skills would be a plus
• Experience of synthesising, simplifying and presenting complex information in an appealing, clear and innovative way
• Understanding of the importance of the human side of data findings and its use in journalism
• Statistics and analysis experience and familiarity with quantitative methods in social science (e.g. correlation, p-values)
• Knowledge of and interest in current affairs, domestically and internationally, politics, economics, science and culture – and understanding of data in these fields
• Understanding of the risks, limitations and possibilities of AI
• Ability to use creative ideas for adapting data driven stories to different formats
• Ideally, you'll have a demonstrable ability to bring a diverse perspective to this role

We actively encourage applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in the UK media.

The starting salary for this NUJ position is a minimum of £54,239, with the final offer determined by the successful candidate's skills, experience, and responsibilities.

Benefits at the Guardian

• You'll have six weeks of annual leave per year (plus bank holidays) with the option to purchase an additional 5 days.
• Our pension scheme is generous; if you contribute 5% then we will contribute 8-12% (depending on your age).
• We believe in giving back, which is why employees are given 2 volunteering days annually and the option of payroll giving.
• Season ticket loans are also available.
• You are entitled to private healthcare, life cover, income protection, and eye tests.
• You can also opt in to dental insurance.
• We have enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies in place.
• We also support our employees by offering an IVF, menopause, baby loss, and trans equality policy.

Culture and wellbeing

We want everyone to feel like they belong at the Guardian and we champion diversity of thought. Our various employee forums provide a platform to use their voice to foster an inclusive workplace. We became the first major media organisation to achieve B Corp status.

We offer tools to help you prioritise your wellbeing including access to our employee benefits platform which provides tailored support for health and wellbeing. In addition, we also offer free yoga and pilates classes. These run alongside our corporate gym membership and cycle to work scheme.

Our canteen has views overlooking the Regents Canal and caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Learning and development

We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions, and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships.