Society of Professional Journalists is hiring: Director, Knight Science Journali

Director of the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT

The Knight Science Journalism (KSJ) Program was launched in 1983 to advance science journalism in the public interest by nurturing and enhancing the ability of journalists to illuminate science and its intersection with human culture accurately and thoughtfully. The KSJ Program is housed within the Program in Science, Technology, and Society (STS) at MIT, a unit of MIT’s School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (SHASS).

We seek to appoint the fifth Director of the KSJ Program. The Director serves as the organizational and intellectual leader of the KSJ Program and a standard bearer for science journalism worldwide. Key responsibilities of the Director include:

1. Oversee the KSJ’s fellowship programs: Assemble and chair the committee that selects the KSJ fellowships, coordinate and lead regular KSJ seminars for fellows, supervise fellows’ research projects, and provide professional mentorship.
2. Direct and promote outreach and training activities: Build on current outreach programs and develop new initiatives aimed at advancing the practice and standards of science journalism.
3. Serve as the publisher of Undark magazine: Supervise the dedicated team of editors managing the magazine.
4. Sustain connections with the broader MIT community: Collaborate with faculty across MIT and recruit speakers for KSJ seminars.
5. Maintain relationships with the science writing community: Act as the public face of the KSJ Program.
6. Manage the KSJ in-office staff: Oversee the associate director, program administrator, learning and events coordinator, and communications coordinator.
7. Steward the KSJ Program’s resources: Initiate and develop contact with potential donors.

Required qualifications:

Qualified candidates should have a bachelor’s degree and at least seven years of distinguished experience related to science, technology, medicine, health, and/or environmental journalism.

Preferred qualifications:

• Organizational leadership experience.
• Experience in journalism across various media.
• Experience working in a university setting.
• Professional experience within science, technology, medicine, or environment.
• Extensive experience in teaching and/or research, particularly for those holding doctoral degrees.

MIT is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds.

The hiring range for this position is $185,000 to $235,000, commensurate with experience. Interested applicants should submit the following to the MIT Careers Website, Requisition#24693:

1. A curriculum vitae
2. A brief statement (up to 1,000 words) addressing professional experiences and vision for the KSJ Program.

Review of applications will begin January 6, 2025. Any questions may be directed to: Paree Pinkney, Director of Administration and Finance for the Program in Science, Technology, and Society, MIT, at ppinkney@mit.edu