Supervising Editor, Science DeskHealth

OVERVIEW

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Intro To Position

NPR is looking for a smart enthusiastic leader to guide our enterprise and high impact science and health coverage particularly breaking news on the swing shift

The Supervising Editor for Science will have a strong vision and a nuanced understanding of evidence-based science and health reporting. The successful candidate will challenge us as we strive for new creative ways to report on these dynamic areas of coverage.

This person will be a key member of the decision-making team on the science desk which comprises more than 25 correspondents editors and producers working across platforms news magazines newscasts digital and podcasts. The desk covers the general sciences domestic health and global health and this supervisor will be responsible for making and coordinating key coverage decisions including breaking news regarding all these beats on the swing shift from 1 p.m. ET to 9 p.m. ET.

The Supervising Editor for Science/Health will lead the desks consumer health coverage team and help guide and support the desks multiplatform digital efforts. The editor will have excellent news judgment is flexible and will work collaboratively with reporters and editors on and off the science desk. This position will support staff to be forward-thinking and relevant to our audiences our newsroom and our partners.

The Supervising Editor for Science/Health Swing Shift will report to the Chief Science Editor.

This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook. All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff are defined as staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPRs content including events.

Application Deadline: Monday December 8th 2025 at 5pm ET

Responsibilities

The Supervising Editor for Science/Health oversees multiplatform coverage by a group of reporters and editors with a specific emphasis on our award-winning consumer health team.

• Partners with other Science Desk editors NPR shows Newscast and digital editors to coordinate breaking news and consumer health coverage on multiple platforms.
• Generates story ideas reviews pitches and edits coverage. The editor will also help develop creative storytelling approaches and sources and determine the best platform for the networks news and consumer health coverage including making suggestions for interviews.
• Collaborates with desk deputies and Chief Science Editor to set coverage priorities for beats and themes with a keen focus on younger and diverse audiences.
• Advocates on behalf of the Science Desk including attending the networks daily afternoon news meeting on a regular basis.
• Maintains highest-quality broadcast text and multimedia standards.
• Effectively coaches reporting and production staff.
• Works with a minimum of supervision even in complicated situations.
• Anticipates and responds to most programming needs breaking news and in-depth features.
• Cultivates and promotes diversity equity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Cultivates and supports an inclusive and equitable workplace culture.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Supervises at least four direct reports including preparing their regular performance reviews and making effective recommendations regarding any hiring promotion and discipline for these positions.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned and this job description can be modified at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

• 7 years experience as a Reporter Editor and/or Producer of Science or Health issues.
• 3 years directing news coverage and reporters in pursuit of ambitious stories.
• Demonstrated skill in both news and enterprise editing.
• Possess solid news judgment and familiarity with the 24-hour news cycle.
• Possess a track record as a creative storyteller and editor across journalistic forms and across a variety of media.
• Strong grasp of journalistic ethics. Experience maintaining high journalistic standards including standards of objectivity balance accuracy and fairness.
• Ability to handle multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions. Ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure.
• A teamwork mentality flexibility and a proven ability to consistently work well with others demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public media system.
• Excellence in written and oral communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to work varied shifts when necessary.

To be considered for this position it is essential you submit 3 things in your application:

• Your CV/resume

• A 1-page cover letter covering your career highlights & what you see yourself bringing to NPR & the Science Desk.

  • Please include links to 3-5 clips within the cover letter.

Education Requirement

• Bachelors degree or equivalent in work experience.

Work Location

• Remote-Permitted:This role is based out of our Washington D.C. office but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves. You will have the option of working (a) remotely from a location of your choosing within the United States that is supported by NPR; (b) on-site at an NPR facility based on the availability of desks and approval from NPR; or (c) a combination of both. Regardless of where you choose to work from you may be expected to travel to other locations from time to time to perform the duties of your position. This includes at least 5 days/year working from NPRs Washington DC HQ.

Job Type

• This is a full time exempt position.

Compensation

Salary Range: The U.S. based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $155000 - $165000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPRs benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness paid time off and financial well-being. Plan options include medical dental vision life/ accidental death and dismemberment long-term disability short-term disability and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees.

Does this sound like you If so we want to hear from you.

NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives all working toward the same goal to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race color ethnicity national origin ancestry age religion religious belief sex (including pregnancy childbirth and related medical conditions lactation and reproductive health decisions) sexual orientation gender gender identity or expression transgender status gender non-conforming status intersex status sexual stereotypes nationality citizenship status personal appearance marital status family status family responsibilities military status veteran status mental and physical disability medical condition genetic information genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member political views and affiliation unemployment status protective order status status as a victim of domestic violence sexual assault or stalking or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

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