Staff Writer

Atlantic Media • Washington, DC

1d • $120,000 - $180,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Atlantic is seeking a creative and experienced reporter to cover the world of food. This writer will be relentlessly curious about culinary culture and why we eat and drink the way we do. The ideal candidate will be well-versed in magazine journalism and eager to produce fascinating stories across a wide-ranging beat that includes unexpected dining or lifestyle trends, the far reaches of food science, the real meaning of culinary obsessions, and much more. It might involve interrogating how chains fit into American culture, or digging into changes in how people consume fruit or condiments or snacks, and why those shifts matter. (Note: With some possible exceptions, this role will not be focused on writing restaurant reviews.) You should have an eye for original ideas and the ability to write clearly and stylishly about them for a wide audience. And you’ll have an instinct for what’s in the zeitgeist, capable of both breaking news and sharply analyzing what a particular culinary moment says about how we live today—and you should have a sense of humor about it all.

Requirements

• Substantial experience as a reporter for general-interest publications
• A deep interest in food culture and an understanding of how to translate compelling ideas into deftly reported and beautifully written stories
• Impeccable editorial judgment, high standards for quality and accuracy, and a facility with the ethics and rigors of journalism
• Deep familiarity with The Atlantic
• A great eye for spotting—and a healthy skepticism about—trends
• An ability to work quickly, meet deadlines, and switch gears as needed
• Interest in and openness to a wide variety of views and perspectives
• A desire to write frequently, with authority and humor
• An ability to communicate effectively with both editors and the deep bench of sources you’ll be cultivating

Responsibilities

• Produce fascinating stories across a wide-ranging beat that includes unexpected dining or lifestyle trends, the far reaches of food science, the real meaning of culinary obsessions, and much more.
• Interrogate how chains fit into American culture.
• Dig into changes in how people consume fruit or condiments or snacks, and why those shifts matter.
• Write clearly and stylishly about original ideas for a wide audience.
• Break news and sharply analyze what a particular culinary moment says about how we live today.
• Communicate effectively with both editors and the deep bench of sources you’ll be cultivating.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed