Senior Editor

The Atlantic

. Oversee staff writers on the Science and Health team .

Posted 9/22/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $105,000 - $200,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates strong leadership and editorial skills with a deep understanding of scientific topics, capable of guiding a team of writers to produce high-quality, impactful stories. Committed to excellence in journalism and adept at managing fast-paced editorial demands.

Highest-signal resume keywords

10+ Years Of ExperienceLeadership AbilitiesNarrative SophisticationScience UnderstandingStory Assignment

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Soft Skills

Curiosity About ScienceCompelling WritingTeam CollaborationAmbitious Idea Pursuit

Certifications & Qualifications

COVID-19 Vaccination Compliance

Industry Keywords

Science JournalismMagazine EditingNational ConversationDeeply Reported ProjectsFast-Breaking NewsPhysicsBiologyNeuroscienceClimate ChangeGeology

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Oversee staff writers on the Science and Health team
Work closely with other newsroom editors
Produce stories that lead the national conversation about the frontiers of science
Steer coverage of life on Earth and beyond—its present, past, and future—and the forces that shape it
Assign high-standard magazine stories for a wide audience
Manage and develop reporters by helping them clarify stories, pursue ambitious instincts, and produce compelling writing
Edit fast-breaking scoops
Shape ideas-driven pieces
Oversee deeply reported projects
Cover topics including physics, biology, neuroscience, climate change, and geology

Requirements

What you’ll need

At least 10 years of experience
Deep curiosity about science and deep understanding of at least one area of scientific discovery
Ability to assign magazine stories of the highest standard for a wide audience
Narrative sophistication and passion for big ideas
Demonstrated ability to define the conversation around issues of national importance
Strong leadership abilities and experience managing reporters
Ability to help reporters clarify stories, pursue ambitious ideas, and produce compelling writing
Equal comfort editing fast-breaking scoops, shaping ideas-driven pieces, and overseeing deeply reported projects
Commitment to excellence and eagerness to work closely with the team
Ability to work nights, early mornings, and weekends at times
Successful completion of reference checks
Compliance with The Atlantic's COVID-19 vaccination policy; employees must be vaccinated, including subsequent boosters, unless an accommodation applies

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equal Opportunity Employer
COVID-19 vaccination policy, including subsequent boosters
Accommodation/exemption from vaccination requirement for disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief
Reference checks as part of offer conditions