The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does so by conducting public opinion polling and social science research; analyzing news coverage; and holding forums and briefings. It does not take positions on policy issues. Its work is carried out by a core administrative and publishing unit and these seven projects:

• The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press (people-press.org)
• Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism (journalism.org)
• Pew Internet & American Life Project (pewinternet.org)
• Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life (pewforum.org)
• Pew Hispanic Center (pewhispanic.org)
• Pew Global Attitudes Project (pewglobal.org)
• Pew Social & Demographic Trends (pewsocialtrends.org)

Pew Forum Overview

The Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, launched in 2001, seeks to promote a deeper understanding of issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs. The Pew Forum conducts surveys, demographic analyses and other social science research on important aspects of religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world. It also provides a neutral venue for discussions of timely issues through roundtables and briefings.

Position Summary

The Assistant Editor is a member of the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life (Pew Forum).  This position works with the editorial team to copy edit, proof and fact check a variety of publications, including survey reports, data analyses, issue packages, weekly electronic newsletter, transcripts, and internal communications and outreach materials. The Assistant Editor helps ensure that all published materials meet the highest standards for clarity, accuracy, style, grammar, punctuation, spelling and appropriateness, as well as helping to manage the flow and tracking of all Pew Forum publications.  This position reports to the Associate Director for Editorial.

Primary Responsibilities

Editing (85%)

• Copy edits and proofs, on a project-by-project basis, a variety of publications, including survey reports and demographic studies, issue packages, data analyses, fact sheets and event transcripts.
• Assumes primary editing responsibility for weekly electronic newsletter and outreach and event materials, including invitations, participant biographies, press releases, letters and memos.
• Copy edits and helps draft quarterly tracking reports and other internal documents.
• Provides other editing and writing services, as needed.

Related Responsibilities (15%)

• Helps coordinate the flow of copy from editorial through production, including managing master documents.
• Helps serve as liaison with Pew Research Center website staff and internal Pew Forum staff to communicate status of editorial projects.
• Helps coordinate work with freelance editors, graphic designers and printers.
• Serves as liaison with event participants and firms that record and transcribe Pew Forum events; takes notes at events, as necessary.
• Serves as a back-up for compiling and circulating daily news summary.

Education/Training/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in English, Journalism, Communications or related field.
• Minimum 1-2 years experience in a professional setting.
• Experience with Adobe InDesign a plus.
• Demonstrated familiarity with AP style.
• Background in religion and public life a plus.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Top-notch copy editing, proofreading and writing skills.
• Well organized and extremely detail oriented.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Ability to work independently and calmly under deadline pressure while demonstrating excellent editorial judgment.
• Familiarity with Pew Forum’s issue areas a plus.

Application Procedure

Applicant should send a complete resume and cover letter (indicating where you learned of the opening) to:

Ms. April McWilliams
Human Resources Director
Pew Research Center
1615 L Street, NWSuite 700
Washington, DC 20036

Responses can also be faxed to 202-419-4339 or e-mailed to careers@pewresearch.org.

We are an equal opportunity employer.