Senior Editor, Research

ProPublica

13h • $150,000 - $170,000 • Remote

About The Position

ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis beginning April 15, 2026. We are seeking a senior editor to lead ProPublica’s growing research team, guiding high-impact investigative work across the newsroom while supporting rigorous, collaborative and responsive research at scale.
The research team plays a critical role in many of ProPublica’s most impactful and widely read stories, contributing deep reporting, verification and sourcing to both long-term investigations and fast-turn accountability journalism. Research reporters regularly earn co-bylines and contributor credits across text, audio and video projects, and they collaborate closely with reporters, editors and partner newsrooms across the country.
Researchers typically balance two to three long-term projects while fielding short-term needs, providing expertise in public records, financial and government research, open-source intelligence and advanced verification.
This role reports to the assistant managing editor, national. You’ll lead ProPublica’s seven-member research team that works collaboratively across our national, local, Texas and Local Reporting Network desks.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of newsroom, investigative or research experience, with at least five years of experience managing a research team, ideally in a journalism capacity. We will prioritize candidates who have managed and supervised staff.
• Significant in-depth research experience, ideally in the investigative journalism context, but we’re also open to candidates with deep government or academic research skills that can be useful to our work.
• Prior experience managing a budget, negotiating subscription and database contracts and serving as the contact for vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and quickly use emerging technologies and applications relevant to investigative research.
• Experience building morale and fostering professional growth in a geographically distributed team.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with an appetite for working across the newsroom and with external partners.
• Exceptional organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple projects, meet tight deadlines and perform effectively under pressure.
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally for staff retreats, trainings or other required events.
• Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Help build and maintain strong relationships with editors, reporters and partner newsrooms, ensuring research is integrated early and effectively into reporting.
• Serve as an escalation point for research reporters and newsroom staff, helping resolve complex reporting challenges, tight deadlines and sensitive sourcing or verification issues.
• Manage and prioritize newsroom projects in collaboration with senior editors and newsroom leadership, balancing urgent newsroom needs with longer-term investigative projects.
• Assign research work, shape strategy and ensure consistent, high-quality research support across desks, beats and regions.
• Provide hands-on editorial guidance to research reporters, including coaching on records strategies, advanced sourcing, database use, OSINT techniques and verification.
• Collaborate closely with reporters and editors to define research goals, frame investigations and connect the dots across large volumes of information.
• Effectively manage a substantial research resources budget, including contract negotiations for relevant research tools and resources.
• Hire, onboard, mentor and provide performance feedback for a distributed research staff, including a deputy research editor and freelancers, as needed.
• Promote a collaborative, inclusive and supportive team culture that values rigor, curiosity and shared success.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees