Science Policy News, Editorial Director

American Institute of Physics Incorporated•College Park, MD

2h•$122,828 - $135,111•Hybrid

About The Position

For nearly 30 years, AIP has provided independent news coverage of federal science and research policy, primarily through FYI, its policy-focused newsletter and website. FYI has become a respected source for news on science policy, research funding, and appropriations. AIP is seeking an Editorial Director of Science Policy News to lead the next stage of this work. This senior editorial leadership role involves shaping AIP’s science policy news strategy across FYI and Physics Today. The Editorial Director will lead FYI’s coverage of federal science policy and develop high-impact policy journalism for broader physical sciences audiences through Physics Today. The role is 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. The Editorial Director will collaborate with Physics Today, AIP’s research team, and other AIP colleagues to connect timely policy news, broader enterprise coverage, and deeper research-based analysis into a clearer and more powerful editorial strategy. FYI requires dynamic and experienced leadership to navigate a volatile coverage landscape in a fractured media climate. With AIP’s financial stability, 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.

Requirements

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.

Responsibilities

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 Physics 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.