Writer

Our World in Data; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Our World in Data is seeking an experienced writer to produce data-driven, public-facing analysis for a general audience. This senior role involves building arguments from research and collaborating with data scientists to make visualizations accessible.

You will work closely with the Deputy Editor, Hannah Ritchie, and participate in a paid residency before a full-time offer. We welcome international applicants, with flexible hours and UK overlap.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of clear public writing for a general audience that relies on data and research literature.
• Strong ability to interpret data from multiple sources and present it clearly.
• Demonstrated editorial judgment and ability to frame topics for a broad audience.
• Interest in global issues and commitment to OWID’s mission.
• Ability to work independently from conception to completion and to learn quickly.

Responsibilities

• Write clear, engaging articles on topics such as health, poverty and inequality, technological change, demographics, or human rights; make data accessible to a non-specialist audience.
• Collaborate with data scientists to produce data and interactive visualizations.

Skills

Public writing

Data interpretation

Editorial judgment

Global issues interest

Independent writing

Tools

Visualization creation

Job description

Summary

• Contract type: Full-time, flexible hours. We are open to a part-time arrangement for the right candidate, but full-time is strongly preferred.
• Compensation: £80,000 to £120,000 per year, based on experience and location.
• Location: Our offices are in Oxford, United Kingdom, but many people in our team work remotely. We welcome applications from international candidates, though working hours should partly overlap with core UK working hours to facilitate collaboration with the team. Visa sponsorship may be considered for the right candidate, depending on individual circumstances and relocation preference.

Description

We are looking for an experienced writer. The ideal candidate already writes single-authored pieces regularly and publicly for a non-specialist audience, builds arguments based on data and research, and has the range to cover many of the topics we work on. This is a senior role: the person we hire will work closely with Hannah Ritchie, our Deputy Editor. The hiring process involves a paid writing residency before any full-time offer.

What the process will look like

• You submit an application (as described below).
• Initial screening in monthly batches.
• Promising applicants: remote interview and preparatory exercise.
• Successful candidates complete a paid writing residency producing two articles with editorial support.
• If successful, offer of a contract as detailed below.

Key responsibilities of the writer role

• Write clear, engaging, and insightful articles on topics such as health, poverty and inequality, technological change, demographics, or human rights, making data and research accessible to a large, non-specialist audience.
• Collaborate closely with data scientists to produce relevant data and interactive visualizations.

Required skills and experience

• Track record of clear, engaging public writing for a general audience that relies on well-chosen data and research literature; high agency and frequent independent writing on OWID-relevant topics.
• Good understanding of statistics and ability to interpret and engage critically with data from different sources; comfort selecting data and framing for visualizations; experience creating visualizations is ideal (can be taught).
• Interest and ability to write across a broad range of topics.
• Strong editorial judgment on questions, data, and framing for a general audience.
• Strong interest in global issues and commitment to OWID’s mission.

Personal characteristics

• Ability to analyze information critically and change your mind based on evidence.
• Openness to editorial feedback and iterative writing.
• High sense of agency; ability to work independently from conception to completion.
• Curiosity to learn in-depth on diverse topics; drive to present information in engaging and creative ways.
• Ability to understand and consider diverse perspectives, particularly on sensitive or complex global issues.