The Atlantic is hiring a curious, ambitious, and science-minded journalist to cover Americans’ changing health habits. This staff writer will focus on the country’s virtues and vices: our desires to eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep, and conversely to smoke, drink, and indulge in what we’re not supposed to. Candidates should be obsessed with emerging health trends—and skeptical, when appropriate, of experts and self-anointed experts seeking to gain influence. This writer will go beyond service-style analysis or debunking to examine the changing definition of a healthy life in the United States.

The ideal candidate will be presciently attuned to new developments in health and wellness, and demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the cultural, political, and historical forces shaping them. This writer must be adept at parsing scientific research, reporting on shifting policies, and accessing influential figures. Conceptual depth and stylistic flair are essential. The role will at times include night, early-morning, and weekend work.

Other qualifications of the ideal candidate include:

• Substantial experience reporting and writing for a broad audience on topics related to health, wellness, and/or science
• A track record of developing sources, identifying emergent trends, and leading the national conversation on health topics 
• Fluency in scientific principles and a superior ability to assess the quality of scientific research
• Exceptional writing skills and magazine sensibilities 
• An abundance of story ideas, an eagerness to pitch, and a hunger to weigh in on major topics and news events
• The ability to balance reporting on pressing news with landmark longer-term projects

Salary minimum: $120,000; Salary maximum: $180,000

This position is based in New York City, Washington, D.C., or Remote.

This is a Guild position.

About The Atlantic:

The Atlantic has, for more than 160 years, advanced ideas that matter and sparked global conversation on the most important issues of our time. We aim to bring clarity and original thinking to questions of consequence, on topics ranging from politics, the economy, and global affairs to technology, science, and culture. As the third-longest-running magazine in America, we find ourselves at a remarkable moment: one of both continuation and transformation, of upholding our legacy while continuously reinventing ourselves for the future.

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The Atlantic Monthly Group LLC ("The Atlantic") is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Atlantic is committed to diversity and encourages members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, LGBTQ people, people of color, and people with disabilities. We do not discriminate against our applicants because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.  

Job offers to work at The Atlantic are contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of reference checks and compliance with The Atlantic's COVID-19 vaccination policy. The Atlantic requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, including subsequent boosters, and submit proof of vaccination status. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.