Senior Writer, Investigations

WIRED is where a better future is imagined. For three decades, we have been the indispensable guide to a world in constant transformation. We cover humanity’s biggest challenges, from climate change to global security, from pandemic preparedness to the future of democracy, and tell stories of the people trying to solve these challenges and the role science and technology can play—for good or ill. WIRED reaches more than 30 million people each month through WIRED.com, our digital edition, the magazine, social media, and live events.

Job Description

WIRED seeks a reporter who is adept at building and working with data sets and/or open source tools to break impactful stories in the worlds of technology, cybersecurity, science, and beyond.

In this role, you’ll be expected to have both traditional reporting skills and technological chops. We’re interested in people with a demonstrated facility in visual and open source investigations, data journalism, or some combination of those. Coding ability is a plus but not mandatory; our priority is someone who can find differentiated stories hiding in plain sight, whether that’s from a data leak, a satellite image, or a trail of digital bread crumbs.

You should have a demonstrated ability not only to identify promising leads, but to report them out by both technological and traditional means. This dynamic position requires curiosity and creativity to produce at least four stories per month. While you’ll be based on our security desk, you’ll be encouraged to look for unique stories across all of WIRED’s areas of coverage. An eagerness to work collaboratively with other WIRED reporters is a major plus.

The successful candidate must have extensive experience and a demonstrated portfolio of investigative work. They will also have the opportunity to work across—and should be comfortable with—a wide range of formats such as social, podcasts, video series, live events, etc.

This role reports to WIRED’s Director of Science, Politics, and Security, and is part of a growing and increasingly global newsroom of smart, kind, nerdy, and well-informed colleagues who are always brimming with ideas and eager to help each other out. This role is in-office (4 days/week) and we are open to candidates in San Francisco and New York.

Primary responsibilities:

• Consistently break news and deliver scoops
• Report and write at least four stories per month, primarily focused on differentiated investigative work
• Pitch, report, and write stories, with a focus on using data, open source tools, or visual investigations
• Collaborate with other members of the security desk, and journalists from across the WIRED newsroom
• Collaborate with audio, video, events, and social media teams as needed to develop ways of telling stories on other platforms
• Work collaboratively with global markets on all relevant stories or packages
• Additional projects/stories as assigned

Requirements:

• At least 4 years experience as journalist with a track record of investigative data or OSINT reporting
• A proven track record of scoops and the ability to consistently break news
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage a constantly evolving workload and prioritize appropriately
• A clear, engaging, jargon-free writing style

The expected base salary range for this position is from $95,000-$129,000. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including but not limited to relevant skills, training, experience, and education.

This is a guild position.