At Science Friday, we explore everything from the outer reaches of space to the tiniest microbes in our bodies. We’re great at broadcasting science. And we’ve always been digital innovators. We created the first podcast in public media, and we streamed a radio show online way back in 1993. But we’re so much more than a radio show.
If you’re smart, curious, creative, and—most importantly—passionate about science, we need you on our radio team as a Radio Producer. As a Producer at Science Friday, you’ll follow important science news and headlines, translate journal studies and research into engaging conversations, and find questions you’re curious about and look beyond the weekly news cycle and turn those into unique science stories. We’re looking for someone who is interested in investigating everything from vaccines, Mars missions, and cephalopods.
We’re looking for a creative, curious producer who has experience reporting about science or related topics. Qualified candidates will have some experience producing for radio or podcasts, excellent news judgment, experience working in a deadline-driven environment, the ability to, and a passion for sourcing new voices and diverse guests for our show.
Radio Producers spend the majority of their time pitching, researching, pre-interviewing and booking guests, and writing host copy for the live and pre recorded Science Friday radio show each week. They also write web copy to accompany your segments, research topics and themes for our live remote broadcasts and long-term projects, and occasionally gather sound in the field. For pre recorded shows, producers also edit segments with assistance from the Senior Producer.
Responsibilities include:
Weekly Radio Pitching and Preproduction Tasks
- Pitching 3-4 segments per week
- Pitching and reporting 2-4 feature audio stories per year
- Researching and pre-interviewing potential guests
- Pitching long term segment or series ideas for the show
- Preparing weblines for segments
Weekly Radio Production Tasks
- Producing and editing two segments per week for the pre-produced weekly radio show. This might entail producing one segment for this week, and one segment for a future week.
- Writing host and station promo copy
- Writing script and segment questions for the host
- Collecting pre-interview tape for use in promos and billboards
- Working with the Audience Team to craft Voxpop questions and manage responses to include in the Friday show
- Interacting and coordination with the Host, Ira Flatow
- Preparing research documents, meeting with Host to discuss segment
- Writing weblines for segments
- Cutting and editing pre-recorded segments
- Occasional weekly radio tasks
- Filling-in for the radio show director
- Filling-in for director cutting and tagging the podcast post-show
- Filling-in for director directing the live show
- Hosting select radio segments approximately 12 times per year or at least once a month.
- Brainstorming and collaborating with the Audience team on digital builds for segment pages, including addition of multimedia content.
- Recording and cutting audio for potential audio postcards
- Working with the Audience team to develop social media assets to support radio show
- Traveling and producing local live show events
- Representing Science Friday at national and international conferences and events
- Occasional organization tasks:
- Grant applications, reporting, and tracking, as needed
- Monthly expense reporting
- Attendance at quarterly Board meetings, as available
- Donor and audience engagements through social, newsletters, and events
Required Education/Experience
- A minimum of two years of work experience covering science or related beats—preferably radio or audio
- Bachelor’s degree, with journalism education or experience
Required Skills
- Strong communicator—in person, in print, and online
- Passion for science, tech, and media, and great instincts about the stories that will resonate with our audience
- Ability to find new angles on over-reported science stories
- Excellent writing skills, flair for language
- Interest in or even love for science, tech, and media
- Ability to find new angles on over-reported science stories
- Curiosity about how the world works
- Ability to vet scientists and expert guests
- Experience reading and distilling scientific literature for a lay audience
- Excellent ear for audio; appreciation as listener and creator for the audio world
- Basic audio production/editing/mixing skills
- Detail-oriented, comfortable with organizational tasks
- Able to manage multiple short- and long-term deadlines; focused
- Patient–can dig into research and fact-checking with pleasure
- Basic fluency in social media–you can repurpose and promote audio projects across web and social platforms
Preferred Skills
- Radio/audio experience at the national level
- Basic field producing experience
Salary Range
$55,000 – $68,000 based on experience.
Please apply with your resume, cover letter and links to two audio samples here.
Additional Information:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic Science Friday (and this role) is operating in a hybrid capacity where all employees can work remotely or from our Manhattan office. However, this position is not a permanent remote position and is part of the New York City staff. This role is expected to work fully from the New York metropolitan area and office when it is safe to do so.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Science Friday is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. SciFri operates with the knowledge that both journalism and learning benefit from a broad range of perspectives, from all backgrounds. Diversity is essential to honest, trustworthy, accurate storytelling and promotes a healthier, happier, and more creative atmosphere. Science Friday strives for creating an institution in which all voices are encouraged, valued, and heard.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
About Our Workplace:
- We have a flexible leave policy that easily accommodates religious holidays, travel vacation, personal and parental leave, and sick days. We close our offices twice a year for a week for whole-staff recharge time (Mid-year in July and in December for a Winter break). We do not work on Thanksgiving or the Friday after.
- Our building has a secure lobby with a fully handicap accessible entrance and key card elevator service. We have a flexible open office with adjustable standing desks, adjustable chairs, and large external monitors; our office also includes a small recording studio, lounge area, and a handful of flexible separate offices and conference rooms.
- We use headphones a lot during the work day. We are really into office plants.
- We provide 401K matching, health, vision, and dental coverage, mental health support, an FSA, and often get great science and scifi books to read for free.