Senior Staff Editor, Quanta Magazine

POSITION SUMMARY

Quanta Magazine is seeking a senior staff editor to support the award-winning magazine’s coverage across all parts of the newsroom. This senior staff editor will work on developing news stories and explainers, editing video scripts and social media posts, recruiting new writers, and seeking out surprising cross-disciplinary story ideas for our global audience. The successful candidate will also regularly collaborate on the development of artwork, graphics, podcasts, and other multimedia features.

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished science journalist, a superb editor with impeccable news judgment, and a diehard advocate for the highest standards in journalism and scientific accuracy. This position will report to the executive editor of Quanta Magazine.

This is a full-time position based in our offices in New York City. For more information, visit www.simonsfoundation.org/careers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to Quanta’s coverage of physics, mathematics, biology, computer science, and climate science, and contribute throughout the editorial, design, and production process.
• Assign and edit news items, visual features, and feature articles that explore discoveries and other issues that span the fields that Quanta covers.
• Collaborate closely with our subject editors and staff writers to edit assigned stories and other editorial content.
• Partner with the rest of the Quanta team on artwork, photos, graphics, social posts, videos, podcasts, and multimedia.
• Recruit, manage, and coach freelance contributors.
• Perform other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor's degree

Experience

• At least five to seven years of editorial experience covering science for established publications. Additional experience reporting on or editing other topics and content types is a plus.

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Must be passionate about basic science, with a demonstrated awareness of a range of fields.
• Must be comfortable editing news and feature articles under web deadlines and be fluent in the best print editing standards and online conventions. 
• Must be detail-oriented and organized, and demonstrate command of the highest standards of written English.
• Must be an excellent communicator and team player who thrives in a collaborative setting.
• Basic familiarity with WordPress is desirable, as is familiarity with web metrics, social media, and SEO.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Five writing or editing work samples (Work samples can be added as files under supporting documents in your online application.)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $125,000 to $140,000, depending on experience.
• In addition to competitive salaries, the Simons Foundation provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.

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.