We’re hiring a trainee data journalist

Come and join The Economist’s data-journalism department

The Economist has always distinguished itself for numeracy and analytical rigour. Our data-journalism team conducts original quantitative research, deploying cutting-edge statistical methods to ask and answer important, relevant questions about politics, economics and society. We are looking to hire an aspiring data journalist for a six-month traineeship. If you would like to work at the intersection of data science, journalism and computational social science and share your research with The Economist’s influential global audience, please get in touch at the email address below.

Job description

  • Work as a principal contributor to our online Daily Chart feature, analysing data and writing text for 1-3 articles per week
  • Write for the Graphic Detail section, and possibly for other sections as well, in our print edition
  • Provide assistance with statistical research to beat journalists as needed

Duration

  • Six months, starting anytime between November 1st, 2021 and January 3rd, 2022. We do not expect to offer the successful applicant a permanent staff job once the traineeship ends.

Hours

  • The traineeship is a full-time job. Applicants cannot be simultaneously enrolled in university during their employment.

Location

  • We would prefer a candidate in London, but will also consider applicants based in New York or Washington, DC. We expect our trainee to come to our offices at least one or two days per week; remote work the rest of the time is fine. We cannot pay for relocation or sponsor a work visa for this position. Prior legal authorisation to work in either Britain (if based in London) or the United States (if based in New York or Washington) is required.

Desired skills

This is an entry-level traineeship, intended primarily to help aspiring data journalists gain skills and experience. We do not require any specific previous work history or technical abilities. However, candidates with the following attributes may benefit from being able to do more work earlier in their tenure, and from progressing faster to more advanced projects:

  • Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
  • R or Python programming languages
  • Statistical modelling in natural, social or data science
  • Knowledge of geopolitics, economics and current affairs
  • Print journalism or other non-academic writing for a broad audience

Compensation

  • £2,167 per month if based in Britain; $3,800 per month if based in the US. Trainees working in the US do not receive benefits such as private health insurance or a pension plan.
  • Please apply with a CV and portfolio of any relevant previous work to [email protected], and make sure to let us know whether you already have the right to work in Britain, the US or both. Applications must be received before 10 AM London time on Monday, October 11th.

    The Economist Group values diversity. We are committed to equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment for all our employees. We welcome applicants regardless of ethnic origin, national origin, gender, race, colour, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or age.