Description

About Your Role: As an Associate Producer at Science Friday, you’ll translate important science news and research into engaging audio conversations. We’re looking for a creative, curious producer who has experience reporting on science, health, and technology and is excited about investigating everything from vaccine policy, to lunar missions, to dinosaur regurgitates. Qualified candidates will have experience producing radio or podcasts, editing audio in a news environment, and a passion for sourcing new voices and diverse guests for our show. Qualified candidates will also have a deep and abiding love for a production calendar and an ability to manage their schedule to meet deadlines and a multitude of production tasks at one time. You’ll have a perspective on what Science Friday should be covering, our gaps and blindspots and how to address them. Successful candidates will be able to plan ahead, will enjoy experimentation, and will welcome new ideas and feedback.

As a member of the Audio team, you’ll work closely with the hosts, editor, and Audio team production colleagues to make our daily podcast and weekly radio show. You’ll pitch and research stories, pre-interview and book guests, manage recordings, source relevant audio clips, write scripts and questions, edit audio for length, clarity and sparkliness. The show is highly collaborative, and producers can expect to regularly pitch in when another teammate needs a hand. You’ll write web copy to accompany your segments, work with our Audience team on social posts, video and newsletter content. 

In this role, you will be responsible for pitching, producing and editing one or two segments (12-17 minute conversation) each week.

Reports to: Director of News and Audio

Location: Remote or hybrid. Science Friday’s headquarters are in New York City, but we offer considerable WFH flexibility for both local and remote employees. Applicants based in the greater NYC area are preferred, but remote applicants are welcome. Science Friday’s WFH policy requires that every full time employee, regardless of location, work from the New York City office or studio for a minimum of 24 days per year. Conferences, work-related events, off-site meetings will count towards that total. Unless otherwise indicated, travel to the office is at the expense of the employee.

Type: Full-time, exempt. This is a full-time role that includes benefits. Science Friday offers competitive compensation with medical, dental, and vision insurance, and generous time off benefits including vacation, sick time, and parental leave as well as 401K contributions, mental health support, FSA/HSA, and great science books for free.

How to apply: Please use the application form to provide a cover letter, resume, and 2 – 3 examples of your audio work. Applications without both a cover letter and resume will not be considered.

About Science Friday: Founded by Ira Flatow in 1991, Science Friday built its reputation as a public radio talk show broadcast on Fridays, which focused on science news and connecting the public with science innovation through interviews with experts. From supermassive black holes to superbugs, Science Friday brings you entertaining and educational conversations about science, technology, and health. Hosted by veteran journalist and founder Ira Flatow and Emmy-nominated Flora Lichtman, Science Friday connects you with the latest discoveries, coolest innovations, and smartest minds in science and tech—served with curiosity, clarity, and fun.
Science Friday is a 100% publicly-funded nonprofit. As such, all SciFri staff are expected to contribute to fundraising efforts including supporting grant ideation, editing, writing, annual appeals, social media posts, donor events, and encouraging their networks to support independent, nonprofit news like Science Friday.

At Science Friday we emphasize communication and encourage collaboration. Active listening, idea sharing, teamwork, and fostering an inclusive and supportive environment will help us achieve our shared goals.

All employees of Science Friday are invited and encouraged to participate in at least one board meeting per year. This transparency between our board and staff allows our hybrid team to calibrate quarterly and supports staff in learning about the often opaque governance structure of nonprofits. The organization is committed to this effort and will reimburse staff for expenses related to that annual meeting. SciFri also encourages staff to serve on boards and/or volunteer in the community with our flexible paid time off plan and hybrid remote model. 

Key Responsibilities
Audio Production Tasks

• Producing and editing one or more segments per week
• Pitching segment ideas, and taking assignments
• Daily calendar management to meet production deadlines
• Working closely and collaboratively with editor, hosts and other teammates
• Researching and pre-interviewing potential guests
• Preparing research documents for hosts
• Writing script and segment questions for the hosts
• Writing host and station promo copy
• Properly citing sources and checking facts to maintain credibility
• Cutting and editing segments to elicit joy and curiosity
• Preparing show notes (digital copy) for segments
• Engaging and collaborating with outside consultants like sensitivity editors when appropriate
• Take part in post-mortems to learn from each other and constantly improve work
• Troubleshooting basic technical issues 

Cross-functional Tasks

• Brainstorming and collaborating with the Audience team on digital builds for segment pages, including addition of multimedia content.
• Working with the Audience team to develop social media assets to support radio show and podcast
• Representing Science Friday at national and international conferences and events
• Monthly expense reporting
• Attendance at occasional board meetings, as available
• Engaging with donors and audience members through social, newsletters, and events

Requirements

Required:

• A minimum of 1-2 years of work experience covering science or related beats – preferably on radio or podcast
• Bachelor’s degree, with journalism education or equivalent experience
• Excellent ear for audio; appreciation as listener and creator for the audio world
• Audio production/editing/mixing skills. Experience with ProTools, Descript, Riverside, or equivalent programs
• Willingness to experiment with structure, show construction, new tools
• Receptiveness to feedback, and openness to dialogue about strengths and opportunities to grow and improve
• Detail-oriented, comfortable with organizational tasks
• Able to manage deadlines; focused
• Strong communicator—in person, in print, and in Google comment threads
• Passion for science, tech, and media, and great instincts about the stories that will resonate with our audience
• Ability to find new angles on science stories and science angles on the news
• Excellent writing skills, flair for language
• Curiosity about how the world works
• Ability to vet scientists and expert guests
• Experience reading scientific literature
• Tenacity and patience to dig into complex subjects and refine stories multiple times to achieve the best results
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-based environment
• Persistence in fact-checking scientific information and tracking down expert perspectives
• Basic fluency in social media–you can repurpose and promote audio projects across web and social platforms
• Willingness and ability to travel for work and occasionally work evenings or weekends to support live events and coverage needs.
• Deep commitment to journalistic ethics and the mission of public media
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship now or in the future.

Preferred Experience:

• Radio/podcast experience at the national level
• Basic field producing experience