Food Safety Writing Fellowship

About Food Safety News

Food Safety News, the world's leading publication dedicated to food safety, advances public health by delivering timely, accurate, and comprehensive coverage of foodborne illness outbreaks, recalls, and regulatory developments that impact the safety of our global food supply. Our team works remotely across the United States and United Kingdom, collaborating to deliver critical content that helps protect public health.

Our vision is a world where everyone has access to reliable food safety information, empowering consumers and industry professionals to make informed decisions that protect public health and strengthen the global food system.

Position Overview

The Food Safety Writing Fellow will play a vital role in our mission to deliver accurate and timely food safety news to our readers. This part-time fellowship (15-20 hours per week) offers graduate students in journalism an opportunity to develop professional news writing skills while contributing to public health awareness through compelling journalism that informs rather than simply analyzes.

Why We Prefer Journalism Graduate Students

While we value the expertise of food safety professionals, we've found that journalism students are better equipped to create accessible, engaging news stories that resonate with our diverse readership. Journalism students bring storytelling skills and news judgment that help translate complex scientific information into clear, concise reporting that serves the public interest.

Responsibilities

• Research and write approximately 5 food safety-related news articles per week
• Craft stories with strong news angles, avoiding academic or research paper formats
• Cover topics including foodborne illness outbreaks, product recalls, regulatory updates, and scientific developments
• Conduct interviews with food safety experts, industry professionals, and regulatory officials
• Apply journalistic standards to fact-checking and source verification
• Collaborate with editors to develop news-focused angles and improve article quality
• Follow developing food safety stories and provide timely updates
• Meet news deadlines consistently while maintaining high-quality standards

Qualifications
• Current enrollment in a graduate program in journalism, mass communications, or related field
• Strong news writing skills and understanding of journalistic principles
• A good working knowledge of Associated Press style
• Ability to quickly learn and accurately communicate food safety concepts
• Experience distinguishing between news writing and academic writing styles
• Demonstrated research abilities and critical thinking skills
• Attention to detail and commitment to factual accuracy
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and remotely
• Previous reporting experience preferred but not required
• Interest in science journalism and public health communication

Learning Opportunities
• Develop specialized knowledge in food safety reporting
• Build a portfolio of published journalistic work
• Gain experience interviewing subject matter experts
• Receive mentorship from experienced food safety journalists and editors
• Learn to translate scientific and regulatory content into compelling news stories
• Contribute meaningfully to public health education

Compensation & Work Arrangement
$20-30 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications
Fully remote position with flexible schedule
Strong preference for U.S.-based candidates

Duration: 6-month fellowship with possibility of extension

How to Apply

Please submit your application including:

Resume/CV

Cover letter (one page maximum) explaining your interest in food safety journalism

2 news writing samples (NOT academic papers or research articles)

Proof of current enrollment in a graduate journalism program

Applications should be submitted here: https://tally.so/r/wMMq4g