Staff Writer

Slate is hiring a staff writer whose work will move across the magazine, with a home in the life section. We’re looking for a driven, creative reporter who finds unique ways to approach tricky questions in culture and news. Candidates should excel at coming up with and refining ideas, finding sources, and connecting the dots with original reporting and sharp analysis. This position could cover social trends, political life, relationships, sex, religion, education, food, and/or internet culture, but the candidate’s interests will help shape the work. The ideal candidate has feature-writing experience and will write several long-form pieces per year, but will also be comfortable in the day-to-day coverage that is Slate’s lifeblood. Depending on the news, this staffer might publish one to two shorter stories per week commenting on the headlines while also advancing longer-lead work.  

Good humor, clean and lively copy, original thinking, a lack of inhibition to chase leads and sources, and enthusiasm will be keys to success in this job. The role will combine some of the DNA of Slate’s classic explainers, trademark spirited news commentary, experiential and reported features, and good old-fashioned blogs with the life section’s incisive view into how our everyday lives and belief systems got to where they are now.

The position is full-time, on staff, with benefits. At least five years in a writing and reporting position is required. Slate welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The position can be located in New York or D.C. Strong remote candidates will be considered. This is a position covered under a collective bargaining agreement between Slate and the Writers Guild of America East. The pay range for this position is $80,000 to $105,000. 

Key Responsibilities

Fast writing and reporting that covers the biggest questions on readers’ minds in a given week
Generating ideas for quick reporting and fun, longer-term inquiry 
Operating as an integral part of Slate’s life team, with a jack-of-all-trades spirit that can dip into our politics and culture sections

Requirements

A sharp, funny, provocative mind and confidence executing ideas
At least five to seven years’ experience working as a writer, preferably in a reporting role with feature-writing experience
A deep well of story ideas and a sharp understanding of the cultural landscape
Top-notch online sleuthing and communication skills