Opinions Researcher

The Washington Post; United States; On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Washington Post is seeking a careful, nimble researcher to join its Opinions team on a 6-month contract, ensuring factual material is correct and well-sourced, while editing for style and clarity.

The ideal candidate will have experience fact‑checking or copy‑editing, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to work under tight deadlines in a fast‑moving newsroom, collaborating with op‑ed editors and other team members.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience with a news organization.
• Experience fact-checking or copy-editing.
• Ability to work efficiently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• A keen eye for detail and accuracy.
• Preferably have experience training others for style, process and standards.

Responsibilities

• Review Opinion stories to verify that they contain accurate factual material, including names, dates and figures.
• Edit stories for style and clarity.
• Collaborate with op-ed editors to strengthen arguments.
• Work with senior opinion leaders to update and optimize workflows, trainings and resources for editing.
• Use trusted sources to verify information and ensure stories are up-to-date.
• This position may include some work in the evenings or weekends.

Skills

Fact-checking

Copy-editing

Attention to detail

Communication

Training others

Job description

About Our Team

The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of our people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award‑winning News and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales.

Why This Role Matters

The Washington Post is looking for a careful, nimble researcher to join its Opinions section on a 6-month contract, with potential for extension. They will ensure all factual material included in articles is correct and supported with reliable sources, ensuring high standards of accuracy. They will also read and edit opinion articles for style, clarity and consistency. The ideal candidate will have an eye for detail and thrive working in high‑pressure news environments. They should have previous experience fact‑checking, copy‑editing or editing or proofreading for news or media organizations. They will be able to efficiently multitask and pivot between articles across a variety of subject areas. They will also have strong communication skills and feel comfortable working with op‑ed editors and other team members on tight schedules. They should feel comfortable adopting new systems, tools and technology to bolster their work.

What Motivates You

You have strong attention to detail and communication skills. You are comfortable in fast‑moving environments and on deadline. You believe in factual opinion journalism that combines accurate reporting with a clear perspective. You are excited about the opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in national media.

How You’ll Support The Mission

Review Opinion stories to ensure they contain accurate factual material, including names, dates and figures. Edit stories for style and clarity. Collaborate with op‑ed editors to strengthen argument. Work with senior opinion leaders to update and optimize workflows, trainings and resources for editing. Use trusted sources to verify information and ensure stories are up‑to‑date. This position may include some work in the evenings or weekends.

The Skills and Experience You Bring

• 5+ years of experience with a news organization.


• Previous experience fact‑checking or copy‑editing.


• Ability to work efficiently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment.


• A keen eye for detail and accuracy.


• Preferably have experience training others for style, process and standards.