Date Posted May 18, 2026
Industry Nonprofit
Specialty Health/Science
Required Education Bachelor's Degree
Job Status Part-time
Salary Not Specified

Description:

U.S. Right to Know is seeking a science reporter for an investigative project on pesticides and their impact on the environment and human health.

 

U.S. Right to Know is a nonprofit newsroom and public health research group. We investigate and report on corporate wrongdoing and government failures that threaten our health, environment, or food system.  We uncover, report on, and share documents obtained through public records laws and from whistleblowers, and collaborate with public health academics and journalists around the world. 

 

Our investigations into the ultra-processed food and pesticide industries have been reported on worldwide, leading to four New York Times articles14 articles in the BMJ, one of the world’s leading medical journals; and 16 co-authored peer-reviewed public health journal articles. Our team has also reported extensively on the origins of Covid-19 and high-risk virological research

 

We cover many facets of the commercial determinants of health, including infant formula with added sugarsprivate equity in health carephthalates and breast cancermicroplastics and endocrine disruptiontoxic chemicals in baby clothes, drug and device industry payments to medical professionals, and the benefits of reducing the use of personal care products.

 

Our fact sheets on chemicals of concern – for example, aspartamesucraloseglyphosatedicamba, 2,4-D, and PFAS – have been read by more than one million people. 

 

The science reporter will lead an investigation related to the environmental and health effects of pesticides. The investigation will report on scientific information, so the reporter must be able to assess and synthesize scientific studies and arguments. The reporter will prepare news articles based on investigative findings, as well as new scientific developments as they arise.

 

The reporter can be based anywhere in the United States.  

 

Qualifications

      Investigative journalism experience is preferred 

      Environmental journalism experience is preferred

      Academic background in science is preferred

      Knowledge of food, agriculture, environmental, and pesticide issues is preferred

      Exceptional writing and research skills

      Computer literate, and comfortable with acquiring new skills

      Flexible and able to manage multiple projects

      Self-motivated and able to work independently

 

This position is available immediately. Compensation is competitive and based on experience.  Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three writing samples to Gary Ruskin, executive director of U.S. Right to Know, at gary@usrtk.org.  In the email subject line, please write: “SCIENCE REPORTER”.


U.S. Right to Know is an equal opportunity employer. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, please see usrtk.org.

When applying, mention you saw this opening listed at JournalismJobs.com.