Science Journalism Fellowship​

For over 50 years, The Cancer Letter has been the leading source of information on cancer research, drug development, health care policy, and funding. The Cancer Letter's readership includes academic oncology, pharmaceutical companies, oncology professional societies, patient advocacy organizations, as well as federal agencies, including NIH, NCI, and FDA. We have won numerous journalism awards for our investigative coverage of issues that shape oncology. Our hard-hitting investigations have impacted public policy, contributed to federal action, and saved lives.

The Cancer Letter is a subscription-only independent weekly publication based in Washington, DC with a circulation of nearly 100,000. We are a small, collaborative team. Learn more about us here. 

The Cancer Letter is seeking a versatile and driven science/health care journalist to join our team of award-winning journalists. This role is ideal for someone early- to mid-career, who values good writing and strong research, and is eager to grow in their career and explore the breadth of the field of oncology.

The Cancer Letter also runs the Cancer History Project, a free archive for the history of oncology.

Location: This is a remote role, prioritizing candidates residing in DC, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
Salary: The salary for this role is $51,000
Dates: 1 year fellowship with the opportunity to grow into a permanent position
Full-Time: 40-hour work week, great benefits, unlimited PTO, professional development opportunities

The Fellowship Year

The Cancer Letter is committed to training the next generation of science journalists through our fellowship program. We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about health care, policy, good storytelling, precise writing, and strong research.

Gain extensive experience in health care journalism under the direct mentorship of some of the top investigative reporters in the field. No professional background in medicine is required. This is a full-time, paid position, with benefits. 

You will:

• Develop stories based on publication needs & your personal interests within our coverage
• Cover meetings at FDA, NIH, NCI, as well as congressional hearings
• Sharpen news judgment, call sources, and develop contacts in health care policy and business
• Compile news briefs
• Perform news aide tasks
• Assist in research
• Assist in editing, copy-editing, and layout process for a weekly magazine-style publication
• Receive mentorship from award-winning investigative reporters

You will finish the fellowship with individual clips, co-writes, a deep understanding of policy issues surrounding oncology and health care, experience covering government agencies and meetings, contacts, and the tools to cover complex and challenging stories at a high level.

While this is a one-year position, past fellows have often been offered a permanent position. Past fellows have also won journalism awards for articles written during their fellowship year.

Requirements:

• BA/BS
• Journalism experience (college journalism experience qualifies)
• Interest in health care and policy issues
• Interest in investigative journalism

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• 401k with company match
• Generous PTO policy in accordance with the editorial calendar.

Investment policy: The Cancer Letter staff members are precluded from directly investing in pharmaceutical companies or data companies engaged in cancer.

Remote Logistics: The Cancer Letter is currently or has been a registered employer in the following states: Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. If you do not live in one of these states, but wish to apply, you may—however, we will be strongly prioritizing the states in which we are already authorized.

Hiring process

Applications will be reviewed starting May 19, after which applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The fellowship selection process consists of three rounds of interviews.