Reporter - Generative AI in the Newsroom (GAIN)

Department: SoC Communication Studies
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary:

Northwestern University is looking to hire a full-time reporter to help us cover how generative AI is reshaping journalism. The reporter will work on a cross-disciplinary, grant-funded project with the Computational Journalism Lab and the Knight Lab teams to help share learnings from the prototypes we build, assess and write about developments in relevant technologies, articulate media-industry best practices, develop informational resources (e.g. how-to guides) and profile leading figures. The site covers technology advances, relevant research, ethics issues, legal and regulatory developments, broader impacts on the media (e.g. disinformation, labor), and industry needs. The reporter may also engage in experimental prototyping or research working with generative AI tools and systems.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Write original articles about advances in research and use of generative AI techniques in the service of journalism.
• Help strategize an editorial plan for weekly, originally-written coverage.
• Coordinate with Northwestern faculty, staff, and student contributors by helping to identify, develop, and shape relevant content contributions in consultation with the editor
• Identify potential freelance contributors and help solicit contributions to the blog in consultation with the editor
• Promote and help coordinate the distribution of the site's content through various channels.
• Monitor analytics and help measure impact from the site.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university in a relevant field.
• Familiarity with generative AI and news media.
• Professional writing experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Passion for and understanding of AI and how it intersects with the news industry (including local).
• Ability to work collaboratively internally with both Northwestern colleagues and external journalism organizations and scholars.
• Strong communication and public speaking skills.
• Ability to work quickly and on deadline

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant writing experience, especially about (generative) AI for news, including research-based, data-driven, or other analytic coverage.
• Experience using or experimenting with generative AI in media production.
• Professional reporting and editing experience at a news outlet, journalism organization, research center, or academic institution.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $63,079 - $65,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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