SciLine Intern
We have an exciting opportunity for a full-time SciLine Intern in Washington, DC.
SciLine is a philanthropically funded, editorially independent, free service for journalists. Among its products are Fact Sheets on science-related topics in the news, typically about two pages long plus references, that are heavily researched, meticulously fact-checked, and designed and formatted to be especially easy to use by reporters on deadline. By the end of the internship, the selected applicant will have a strong portfolio of clear, well written, and factually accurate Fact Sheets released for journalistic and public consumption.
SciLine is also building a large, sophisticated database of experts available for referral to reporters. The SciLine intern will devote up to one-third of their time assisting with data-related tasks in support of the expansion of this important resource.
Finally, the intern will be involved with staffers in the intensive, day-to-day experience of serving deadline-driven journalists in need of scientific expertise and context. Taken together, this internship will provide a deep immersive experience in the art and science of journalism, and science communication more generally.
This is a paid summer internship and will last 12-weeks.
Are you ready to be a Force for Science?
What You'll Do
- Assist in determining topics to be prioritized for Fact Sheet production
- Deeply research selected topics
- Draft Fact Sheets, hewing to SciLine style and carefully documenting sources
- Work with the Senior Program Associate for Science to complete a detailed internal and external Fact Sheet peer-review process, and finalize and format Fact Sheets for posting on SciLine website with a goal of producing 3 - 4 Fact Sheets over the course of the internship
- Assist with data cleaning for the SciLine database
- Participate in daily team meetings and day-to-day fulfillment of deadline requests from journalists
- Additional duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program (or transitioning between the two) at a university/college. Science majors with strong writing/communications skills preferred, but journalism/communications majors with strong science skills will be given serious consideration.
- Detail-oriented and organized, can multitask and adhere to tight deadlines
- Open to precision editing and task direction in a busy work environment
- Able to work independently and collaboratively within a team that is having fun being an ambitious start-up in which everyone helps with everything
AAAS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected category. AAAS uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.