Freelance Developmental Editing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Science News Media Group seeks an experienced and creative editor to manage longform journalism for our award-winning publication. The role includes working with colleagues across the newsroom to set a long-range strategy for the feature well, including thinking strategically about covers, innovating on formats and prioritizing the digital expression of print-first content. The Features Editor will guide staff writers and freelancers to develop and deliver must-read narratives across the fields of science that will connect readers with the most significant, must-know advances in science, medicine and technology while providing context, nuance and perspective on how science impacts people's lives, communities and the planet. Working with the Managing Editor, this role will set and enforce deadlines, aid in production work, adapt work from other departments for the magazine and work closely with the Design Team to ensure all assigned stories have top-notch visuals.

The Features Editor will play a key role in defining the longform strategy for Science News. In addition to prior experience working on consumer print magazines, the ideal candidate will have excellent editing skills at the big-picture level, a keen eye for detail in line edits and copy edits, and a strong sense of how visuals can work with text to help make science exciting and accessible for general readers.

Science News Media Group is an editorially independent nonprofit news organization that has been covering news of science, medicine and technology for the general public since 1921. The magazine has a circulation of more than 120,000, and we drew almost 10 million unique visitors in 2025 to sciencenews.org. Science News consistently ranks as the most trusted and least biased science news organization in Ad Fontes Media's biannual analysis. We also publish Science News Explores, a website and print magazine with more than 30,000 subscribers that connects younger people and educators with science.

Our parent nonprofit Society for Science is dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, access to STEM education and public understanding of scientific research. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, the Society promotes the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement: to inform, educate, and inspire. Beyond journalism, the Society is best known for its world class science research competitions and outreach and equity STEM Programs founded to make sure that every young person can strive to become an engineer or scientist.

You'll be joining a group of creative, inquisitive people who come to science journalism from a diversity of backgrounds, education and experiences, and who are passionate about our work as independent nonprofit journalists.

• Set and maintain an editorial calendar for longform stories, most of which will appear first in print in our monthly magazine
• Solicit pitches from staff writers and freelancers; develop, assign and edit compelling features that fit the Science News brand
• Recruit and coach freelance editors who can assist with feature edits
• Collaborate with the Design Team to identify or create photos, illustrations, charts, diagrams, infographics, etc. that adhere to the highest standards for accuracy
• Collaborate with the Design Team to ensure that all features have layouts that enhance the storytelling
• Collaborate with the News Team on adapting longer news analyses or explainers for print
• Collaborate with the Digital Team to imagine and enact new strategies for longform pieces online, including innovative formats, interactives and other multimedia
• Work with managers across the newsroom to balance staff workloads and set priorities
• Guide features through fact checks and print production in InCopy
• Assist with other magazine production tasks as needed
• Edit web-first news stories as needed
• Supervise staff writers

• Expertise in editing and producing longform journalism
• Ability to plan and execute a strategy for features and covers 12 months out, balancing the need to cover a variety of topics in each issue with the goal of providing a cohesive reader experience
• Strong work ethic and time management skills
• Knowledge of the ethics and standards of a news organization
• Organization and experience prioritizing across multiple projects
• Exceptional communications skills
• Ability to develop rapport with colleagues and freelancers
• Interest in and familiarity with recent developments in science

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• At least 7 years' experience editing, including longform
• Experience working on consumer magazines
• Experience supervising and mentoring writers
• Excellent teamworking skills
• Knowledge of Adobe Suite products; InCopy preferred

• Yes

While performing the duties of this job, the employee usually works in an office setting. Our office is located in Washington, D.C. near the Dupont Circle and Farragut North Metro stations. The Society is operating on a hybrid work schedule.

This is a full-time (37.5 hr/wk), exempt position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday during normal office hours of the Society. The normal business hours of the Society are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, with core hours of 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST.

The salary range is $99,015 - $106,438.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to operate a computer and other office equipment.

Society for Science has mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for employees coming into the office and attending Society events. Exceptions to the vaccine requirement may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons.

To be considered for this position please upload a professional resume and cover letter.

Please apply through ApplicantPro. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover every duty, responsibility and activity that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Society for Science is committed to equal employment opportunity. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, the Society does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identify or expression, ancestry, national origin, disability, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, age and/or any other categories protected by the laws of the United States or the District of Columbia.