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Freelance Science Editor Biology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The New York Times

Senior Staff Editor, Well

New York, NY · On-site

$124K - $135K/yr

The Times Well desk is seeking a senior staff editor to edit our weekly newsletter and other ... Experience supervising beat reporters and freelancers. * Science-literate with a proven ability to ...

National Academy of Sciences

Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$73K - $92K/yr

May network with prospective authors, scientific advisers, and news media. * Advises staff and ... May coordinate freelance activities in the unit, including finding and coordinating work among ...

The Huntington

Senior Editor

San Marino, CA · Hybrid

... science. The Huntington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing ... Manages the workflow of multiple freelance copy editors and proofreaders, overseeing assignments ...

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How much do freelance science editor biology jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance science editor biology in the United States is $31.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.39 and $39.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the most common challenges faced by freelance science editors specializing in biology, and how can they be managed?

Freelance science editors in biology often encounter challenges such as managing inconsistent workloads, staying updated with rapidly evolving scientific terminology, and ensuring accuracy across diverse subfields. To manage these, it’s helpful to build a reliable client base, set clear deadlines, and continually engage with current literature and editorial guidelines. Additionally, networking with other editors and participating in professional organizations can provide ongoing support and development opportunities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance science editor in biology?

To thrive as a Freelance Science Editor in Biology, you need an advanced understanding of biological sciences, excellent command of the English language, and typically at least a bachelor's or master's degree in biology or a related field. Familiarity with editing software like Microsoft Word, reference management tools such as EndNote or Zotero, and knowledge of major scientific style guides (e.g., AMA, CSE) are essential. Attention to detail, strong communication, and the ability to manage deadlines independently are key soft skills for this role. These skills ensure the clear, accurate, and timely editing of scientific manuscripts, contributing to the quality and credibility of published research.

What does a freelance science editor in biology do?

A freelance science editor in biology reviews, edits, and sometimes rewrites scientific manuscripts, grant proposals, or articles to ensure clarity, accuracy, and adherence to publication standards. They work independently with researchers, academic publishers, or organizations to improve the quality and readability of scientific documents. Their tasks may include checking for grammatical errors, ensuring proper use of scientific terminology, formatting references, and sometimes providing feedback on the scientific content itself.

What is the difference between Freelance Science Editor Biology vs Freelance Science Writer Biology?

AspectFreelance Science Editor BiologyFreelance Science Writer Biology
CredentialsAdvanced degrees in biology or related fields, editing certificationsDegrees in biology, journalism, or communications; writing experience
Work EnvironmentEditing manuscripts, peer-reviewed journals, scientific publicationsWriting articles, blogs, educational content, grant proposals
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic publishers, research institutions, scientific journalsScience media outlets, educational platforms, research organizations
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding editing roles, qualifications, and tasksLooking for writing opportunities, content creation, and communication skills

Freelance Science Editor Biology primarily focuses on reviewing and refining scientific content for clarity, accuracy, and style, often working with published research. Freelance Science Writer Biology involves creating original scientific content for various audiences. Both roles require strong biology knowledge, but editors emphasize editing skills, while writers focus on content creation.

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What cities are hiring for Freelance Science Editor Biology jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Science Editor Biology job openings:
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Freelance Science Editor Biology jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Science Editor Biology job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,728 per year, or $31.6 per hour.

Senior Staff Editor, Well

The New York Times

New York, NY • On-site

Other

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

The Times Well desk is seeking a senior staff editor to edit our weekly newsletter and other reporting about health and wellness. This role is a key position on the team, requiring an editor who has experience working with reporters and freelancers and has a proven track record in health coverage.

You will supervise reporters and assign and edit across many story forms, including news, reported features, visual pieces and profiles. Your work will be timely and ambitious. You should be able to connect the dots and spot trends before our competitors do, and shape stories that have perspective and authority. Your assignments should start conversations. You should have tons of ideas and a willingness to experiment.

Your work will support Well's mission to use evidence-based journalism to explore important issues in health and to help people live healthier and more fulfilling lives.

This role requires high productivity, attention to detail, meeting deadlines and the ability to work seamlessly with other editors on the desk. You are joining a successful team that thrives in part because we're highly collaborative and we embrace constant change and opportunity.

This is an in-office position, based in New York City and includes regular attendance in the office four days each week. There may be some flexibility to work remotely per your departmental guidance.

Responsibilities:

  • You will conceive, assign and edit articles, serving as a first editor on several stories per week.
  • You will supervise beat reporters and develop a stable of freelance contributors.
  • You will provide sophisticated second edits on stories as needed.
  • You will manage the digital life of stories, including writing engaging headlines, summaries and captions for digital presentation and promotion across platforms.
  • You will collaborate with our art team.
  • You will meet tight deadlines and juggle multiple priorities expertly.
  • You have strong communication and organizational skills.
  • You are collaborative, collegial and flexible.
  • You will abide by The Times's Code of Conduct and exemplify our Values and Behaviors.
  • Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
  • You will report to the Deputy Editor.

Basic Qualifications:

  • 7+ years of experience as a health, science or lifestyle journalist.
  • Significant editing experience, including a deep understanding of digital publishing.
  • Experience supervising beat reporters and freelancers.
  • Science-literate with a proven ability to parse and contextualize scientific research for a general-interest audience.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Passionate about news and service journalism.
  • Willingness to experiment and collaborate on the Well desk and across departments.

This position is represented by the NewsGuild of NY.

REQ-020405

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