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 two data journalists: one experienced candidate for a full-time, permanent position, and one promising candidate 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. We hope the chosen candidate can join us soon, but can accommodate a later start date if necessary.

Full-time data journalist

Job description

• Regularly conduct research and write articles for all sections of the newspaper, both in print and online. Particular emphasis will be placed on contributions to the print Graphic Detail section and to our online Daily Chart, working closely with our data-visualisation department
• Edit the print Graphic Detail page when necessary, including supervision of data journalists’ statistical research, editing their articles and approving the visualisation
• Collaborate with beat journalists on longer stories that combine original statistical research with conventional reporting

Duration

• Permanent, full-time staff position

Location

• London preferred. We can consider candidates based elsewhere in Europe, the Middle East or Africa, or in the eastern parts of the United States, Canada or Latin America, as long as they are willing to spend an initial incorporation period in Britain and travel there subsequently as needed

Essential skills

• Fluency in the R (preferred) or Python programming languages for statistical analysis with large datasets
• Extensive experience with modelling statistical relationships and predictive analytics, using both regression-based and machine-learning methods
• Familiarity with research designs, quantitative methods and foundational academic literature in econometrics and political science
• Keen interest in and knowledge of geopolitics, economics and current affairs
• Ability to summarise technical research for a mass audience in concise, stylish prose

Required background

• At least five years of experience in journalism, corporate data science or academic social or natural science

Compensation

• Competitive salary and benefits, depending on candidate’s experience and skill level

Trainee data journalist

Job description

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

Duration

• Six-month-long traineeship with full-time hours

Location

• London. Authorisation to work in the United Kingdom 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

Required background

• None

Compensation

• £2,166 per month

Please apply with a cv, portfolio of any relevant previous work and (for the permanent role) salary expectations by the end of January to Dan Rosenheck (Data Editor) and Alex Selby-Boothroyd (Head of Data Journalism) at: datateamjobs@economist.com

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.