Specials Editor

Location: New Scientist Headquarters – London

Position: Permanent

Workplace Type: Hybrid - 3 days per week in office at the following address: 9 Derry Street, Kensington, London, W8 5HY

Job Introduction

This is a new role on our senior editorial team tasked with planning, commissioning and curating regular special issue feature article packages on the most exciting, inspiring, need-to-know science, both in print and across our digital platforms. Working closely with our features team, and collaborating with our digital and design teams, you’ll lead on delivering thought-provoking longform packages with wow-factor.

Main Responsibilities

• Coming up with ideas, themes and concepts to anchor New Scientist’s blockbuster special magazine issues, producing a calendar of must-read features packages for print.
• Leading on content commissioning and collaborating with expert journalists to deliver these. Working with digital and design teams to make these features packages look gorgeous on page as well as ensuring they delight our online audience and reach new readers.
• Devising and leading on special digital packages, working with multimedia teams on innovative storytelling beyond the confines of print.
• Being a senior voice in New Scientist’s editorial team, lending experience and insights, as well as personal expertise in some specific fields of science, environment, health or technology.

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who is curious, creative, collaborative and who enjoys taking the initiative. The successful candidate will have an impeccable sense of what makes a good story and what readers want, and an insatiable appetite for the very latest scientific ideas and breakthroughs.

Required Knowledge & Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience of features journalism, including at least 3 years’ features editing experience, and experience of working in print
• A demonstrable passion for science journalism
• Experience with digital features or longform, producing compelling online narratives that resonate with audiences and drive engagement
• The ability to translate complex concepts into accessible and gripping storytelling
• An appreciation for scientific rigour and an ability to interest and fascinate readers in science without hype or dumbing-down
• A science or technology degree is desirable but not essential

Closing date for applications is 10^th December 2024

ABOUT NEW SCIENTIST

New Scientist is a magazine for the insatiably curious, asking the big-picture questions about life, the universe and what it means to be human. From artificial intelligence to climate change, the latest innovations in health to the mysteries of quantum physics and the human mind, New Scientist covers the ideas and discoveries that matter.

Since our publication was founded in 1956 for “all those interested in scientific discovery and its social consequences”, it has expanded to include newsletters, videos, podcasts, courses and live events in the UK, US and Australia. Our headquarters are in London, UK, and we also have offices in the US and Australia.

WORKING FOR NEW SCIENTIST

New Scientist is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applications to New Scientist will receive due consideration regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

As an organisation, we strive for empathy, self-awareness, courage and integrity, collaboration, innovation and information seeking. We aim to create an inclusive environment, empowering employees and embracing diversity.

Package Description

• 29 days holiday with Holiday Buy scheme
• Access to private healthcare scheme (Bupa) with the option to add your dependents through a monthly salary deduction.
• Automatic enrolled onto our New Scientist Pension scheme at the minimum level of 5% employee contribution and 4% Company contribution.
• Immediate death in service cover of 4x your basic salary
• Free mental health, legal and financial advice and assistance at any time for you and your family with our Employee Assistance Programme with CIC.
• Free subscription to New Scientist, newscientist.com, New Scientist app and all New Scientist events
• Social Activities
• Long Service Awards
• Hybrid Working
• Extensive Learning and Development programme via dmg Academy

Onsite Facilities: 

• Subsidised canteen
• Onsite gym (Derry Street only)
• Onsite nurse and GP clinics

We are also part of My Benefits and offer: 

• Discounted annual health assessment with Bluecrest.
• DMGT Discounts offers hundreds of discounts on online shopping, vouchers, reloadable cards, and access to their Wellbeing Hub
• Donate tax efficiently to charity with our Give As You Earn Programme
• Save thousands with fixed fee estate agency from Yopa and access our exclusive £100 discount
• Exercise at home at discounted rates with Les Mills
• Make your will online with Farewill and receive a discount of 20%
• Eat more for less with our discounted dining cards
• Help manage stress, develop healthy habits, and feel at your best with Leafyard
• Save up to up to 60% on refurbished phones, tablets, and computers with Mobile Advantage or even trade-in to generate cashback
• Buy a train season ticket and pay back monthly saving up to 20% of the cost of annual travel
• Save tax and NI on the cost of a new bike or equipment up to £3,500 with Cyclescheme and pay back through monthly salary deductions over 12 months Save up to 12% on the cost of tech equipment and home appliances, from Curry’s or IKEA, up to £3,500 with Techscheme and pay back through monthly salary deductions over 12 months
• Reimbursement of eye care test and glasses/contact lenses for VDU use.
• Join our Bupa discounted dental Insurance to spread the cost of dental treatments
• Join our Westfield Health Cash plan and claim back the cost of a range of dental and medical treatments
• Save tax efficiently from as little as £10 a month with a range of ISA’s and Savings plans with Cushon
• Huge savings on a gym membership at a choice of over 3,700 fitness facilities across the UK with GymFlex.
• Join our Millstream Travel Insurance and cover yourself for trips in the UK and abroad, all year round.
• Critical Illness Insurance helps reduce the financial impact after being diagnosed with a critical illness.

After successfully completing your probation period: 

• TEDS Premier workplace nursery benefit scheme can reduce nursery fees by up to 50% per annum and is HMRC-friendly.

After successfully completing your probation period and six months’ service:

• Access to low cost loans and advice on money management from Salary Finance
• Lease a fully electric or hybrid car via salary sacrifice with Tusker

Family Friendly policies:

• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity/Shared Parental leave policy
• Childcare Allowance

Our Commitment

We are committed to increasing diversity and maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.

We are Disability Confident Committed. Please let us know if you require any recruitment documentation in other formats or if you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process. Please be assured that any such information will be held separately to your recruitment application and will not be considered as part of the selection process.