Science Writing Fellow, Quanta Magazine

Simons Foundation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid fellowship

Job summary

Quanta Magazine is seeking an early-career science journalist for its winter/spring 2027 writing fellowship. This six‑month, in-person program will run January–June 2027 at the Simons Foundation offices in New York City, covering physics, mathematics, biology and computer science.

You will pitch, report and write news and features, assist editors with research and fact‑checking, and collaborate with the art and production teams on visuals and outreach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Background or strong interest in reporting and writing about complex topics in physics, mathematics, biology, or computer science.
• Familiarity with journalistic style and standards.

Responsibilities

• Pitch, report and write news articles.
• Assist editors with research and fact checking.
• Collaborate with art and production teams on research, illustrations, and infographics.
• Develop stand‑alone content for Quanta’s social media and newsletters with the audience engagement team.
• Assist with development and production of Quanta’s video and podcast offerings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Strong interest in science writing

Familiarity with journalistic style

Education

Bachelor’s degree

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 Bachelor’s degree
• 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.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

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.

The Simons Foundation is a private foundation in New York City whose mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. Founded in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, the foundation supports transformative science through grantmaking, in‑house research and public engagement. The Simons Foundation provides grants in autism science and neuroscience; life sciences; mathematics and physical sciences; and science, society and culture. The foundation’s in‑house research division, the Flatiron Institute, develops and deploys computational methods to advance basic scientific research. Visit the Simons Foundation career page to learn more.

Salary and Benefits

In addition to competitive salaries, the Simons Foundation provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.

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.

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