Science Policy News, Editorial Director

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Science Policy News, Editorial Director

WHO WE ARE: As a Federation, AIP advances the success of a community of more than 30 independent scientific organizations. They, in turn, support hundreds of thousands of professionals across many scientific and engineering disciplines. AIP creates shared spaces — forums, conversations, connections — where individual action among our Member Organizations becomes collective impact. We want you to become a part of our mission and join our dynamic team!

SUMMARY: For nearly 30 years, AIP has provided independent news coverage of federal science and research policy, primarily through FYI, our policy-focused newsletter and website. Over that time, FYI has become one of Washington’s most respected sources of news and information on science policy, research funding, and appropriations. Now, AIP is looking for an Editorial Director of Science Policy News to lead the next stage of this work.

This is a senior editorial leadership role with responsibility for shaping AIP’s science policy news strategy across FYI and Physics Today . The Editorial Director will lead FYI’s trusted coverage of federal science policy while also helping develop high-impact policy journalism for broader physical sciences audiences through Physics Today . The role is designed for an experienced editorial leader who can guide a team of journalists, set an ambitious coverage agenda, and help AIP build a more cohesive and visible science policy presence. Working in collaboration with Physics Today , AIP’s research team, and other AIP colleagues, the Editorial Director will help connect timely policy news, broader enterprise coverage, and deeper research-based analysis into a clearer and more powerful editorial strategy.

FYI needs dynamic and experienced leadership eager to embrace the challenges of a volatile coverage landscape in a fractured media climate. With the financial stability of AIP, a state-of-the-art publishing platform, and the reach of Physics Today , the Editorial Director will be well-positioned to strengthen one of the most respected voices at the intersection of science and public policy.

This is an opportunity to lead essential journalism, shape how the physical sciences community understands policy change, and expand AIP’s impact at a pivotal moment for science.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Lead and manage the Science Policy News team, setting the editorial agenda for coverage of U.S. science policy, federal research agencies, research funding, appropriations, legislation, and the broader federal research landscape.
• Serve as top editor of FYI, overseeing its reporting priorities, newsletters, website, Budget Tracker, Bill Tracker, agency coverage, explanatory journalism, and special projects.
• Edit stories, newsletters, trackers, explainers, and enterprise work to ensure accuracy, clarity, independence, fairness, and editorial excellence.
• Develop and execute a broader science policy news strategy across AIP channels including FYI and Physics Today , helping AIP deliver a more cohesive line of coverage for the physical sciences community.
• Identify, assign, and edit high-impact science policy stories for Physics Today in close partnership with Physics Today editors.
• In close partnership with Physics Today editors, shape P hysics Today policy coverage that explains what policy developments mean for scientists, students, institutions, facilities, research fields, and the scientific enterprise.
• Collaborate with AIP Research to connect timely journalism with deeper policy analysis, data-driven work, policy primers, survey-based research, and longer-horizon interpretation.
• Coordinate with other AIP content, digital, audience, marketing, and visuals teams to improve the visibility, discoverability, and impact of AIP’s science policy coverage.
• Help shape AIP’s policy presence on aip.org, including topic pages, newsletters, cross-linking strategies, digital presentation, and audience pathways across FYI, Physics Today , and AIP Research.
• Provide strategic vision and operational leadership for Science Policy News products, initiatives, workflows, and editorial planning.
• Serve as a senior editorial voice and thought leader on science policy developments for internal stakeholders, including AIP leadership and Member Organizations, as well as external audiences.
• Partner with AIP’s CEO and senior leadership to identify timely, factual science policy insights that can inform public remarks, social media engagement, convenings, and stakeholder conversations, while maintaining AIP’s standards for accuracy, independence, and nonpartisanship.
• Represent the value and impact of AIP’s science policy journalism in conversations with partners, stakeholders, funders, and the broader physical sciences community.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• At least 5–8 years of proven success in policy reporting, science journalism, editing, policy analysis, or a closely related field.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. federal science policy, including the legislative and budget processes, federal research agencies, appropriations, and the policy issues affecting the physical sciences.
• Excellent editorial judgment and a demonstrated ability to set coverage priorities in a fast-moving news and policy environment.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to make complex policy developments clear, accurate, relevant, and compelling.
• Ability to edit for accuracy, structure, clarity, sourcing, fairness, context, and audience relevance.
• Experience developing newsletters, digital news products, policy coverage, explanatory journalism, enterprise stories, or special editorial projects.
• Ability to balance daily or weekly coverage demands with longer-term editorial strategy.
• Strong collaborative skills and the ability to work across distinct editorial products, teams, and audiences.
• Strategic management experience, including the ability to lead people, systems, processes, and complex editorial initiatives over time.
• A commitment to independent, accurate, nonpartisan journalism that serves the scientific community and the public good.

TO APPLY: Include a resume and a cover letter.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience does not fully match the position description. At AIP, we embrace considering people from a diversity of backgrounds and career experiences. 

COMPENSATION: $122,828.00 - $135,111.00

WORKING AT AIP: AIP embraces a flexible hybrid work environment to balance in-person collaborative work with remote work. The team works in a flexible, hybrid schedule and reports to our offices in College Park, Maryland and Washington, DC, as needed. Employees are required to reside in the DC Metro regions of Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC.

We offer comprehensive benefits, including generous paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, an annual retirement contribution of 10% of base pay, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and more. Your colleagues at AIP are welcoming, gracious, and eager to help each other succeed. With our commitment to community service, institute-wide social opportunities, and ongoing learning and development, AIP is a rewarding place to work.

ABOUT AIP: Scientific discovery shapes our lives every day. And AIP empowers the organizations and people that make those discoveries possible. As a Federation, AIP advances the success of a community of more than 30 independent scientific organizations. They, in turn, support hundreds of thousands of professionals across many scientific and engineering disciplines. AIP creates shared spaces — forums, conversations, connections — where individual action among our Member Organizations becomes collective impact.

As an Institute, AIP preserves the history of discovery so the past can guide the future. We study how research is done, who participates, and what holds people back or propels them to succeed. Our findings inform policy, practice, and decision-making across the physical sciences. We are especially focused on the next generation of physical scientists and committed to ensuring talent from anywhere can thrive in our fields.

Humanity needs science. And science needs people and organizations working together to tackle our planet’s toughest challenges. Together, we can advance science, empower scientists, and ensure discovery continues to shape our lives.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Join our team of energized, charismatic, collaborative, and passionate individuals, and contribute to making a difference in the field of physical sciences!