Science Writing Fellow

Quanta Magazine; New York (NY); On-site; USD 39,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Quanta Magazine invites early-career science journalists to apply for a winter/spring 2027 six-month writing fellowship. The program offers extensive experience reporting on physics, mathematics, biology, and computer science, with opportunities to grow as a reporter, writer, and thinker.

The fellowship runs January–June 2027 in person at the Simons Foundation offices in New York City, with collaboration across video, art, production, and audience engagement teams.

Qualifications

• A background or strong interest in reporting and writing about complex topics, and physics, mathematics, biology, or computer science in particular.
• Familiarity with journalistic style and standards.

Responsibilities

• Pitch, report and write news articles.
• Assist editors with research and fact checking.
• Collaborate with the art and production teams on research, illustrations, and infographics.
• Develop stand-alone content to be shared on Quanta’s social media accounts and newsletters, in conjunction with the audience engagement team.
• Assist as necessary with the development and production of Quanta’s video and podcast offerings.
• Perform other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Skills

Reporting & science writing

Science topic interest

Journalistic standards

Job description

Quanta Magazine is looking for an early-career science journalist for its winter/spring 2027 writing fellowship. This six-month program will give the successful applicant extensive experience writing news and features about one or more areas that Quanta covers: physics, mathematics, biology, and computer science.

We expect our writing fellow to deeply engage with what’s going on in basic science and mathematics; to develop their skills as a reporter, writer, and thinker; and to gain experience with our video, art, production, and audience engagement teams. The fellow should leave Quanta with a strong understanding of the best practices in science journalism, insights into the workings of a digital-media publication, and writing clips that showcase their abilities as a journalist.

This full-time paid fellowship will take place in-person between January and June 2027 at the Simons Foundation offices in New York City.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Pitch, report and write news articles.
• Assist editors with research and fact checking.
• Collaborate with the art and production teams on research, illustrations, and infographics.
• Develop stand-alone content to be shared on Quanta’s social media accounts and newsletters, in conjunction with the audience engagement team.
• Assist as necessary with the development and production of Quanta’s video and podcast offerings.
• Perform other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Experience

• A background or strong interest in reporting and writing about complex topics, and physics, mathematics, biology, or computer science in particular.
• Familiarity with journalistic style and standards.

Required Application Materials

• Cover letter describing your interest in this position
• Five writing clips
• This fellowship pays $29 per hour and is eligible for medical benefits.

About Quanta

Quanta Magazine is an award-winning, editorially independent online publication launched by the Simons Foundation to enhance public understanding of science. Our reporters and editors focus on developments in mathematics, theoretical physics, theoretical computer science and the basic life sciences, with an emphasis on delivering timely, accurate, in-depth and well-crafted articles for our broad, discerning audience. Quanta was awarded a 2022 Pulitzer Prize in explanatory reporting, a 2020 National Magazine Award for general excellence, and a 2025 National Magazine Award for best single-topic issue. Quanta has syndication partnerships with Wired, The Atlantic and other publications, has published two books (Alice and Bob Meet the Wall of Fire and The Prime Number Conspiracy) and our articles have been translated into several languages.

Our Commitment to Expanding Pathways to Science & Opportunities for All:

Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. The Simons Foundation is committed to advancing basic science and mathematics to benefit humankind and expand our collective understanding of our world. As part of our mission, we support partners, programs, and initiatives that seek to broaden the scientific community and open pathways to science and mathematics careers.

The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law.