Science Desk & Short Wave Intern

Summary

Join NPR's Science desk and Short Wave podcast teams as an editorial intern for a 28-week program (October 6th, 2025 - April 17th, 2026). This remote-permitted internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in journalism, working on both digital and audio formats. The first half focuses on reporting and producing digital stories for the Science desk, while the second half involves contributing to the Short Wave podcast. Interns will pitch story ideas, conduct research, fact-check, write, and produce content. A science background and a sense of humor are beneficial. The internship culminates in a capstone project for each team.

Requirements

• Excellent research and written/verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently, quickly, and accurately
• Easy to work and collaborate with, even on tight deadlines
• Demonstrated interest in news and creative storytelling
• Must be a current student in an accredited degree program or a recent graduate of no more than 12 months from the month of the start of the internship
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample

Responsibilities

• Report and produce digital stories for the desk’s three sections: Shots (our blog focusing on domestic health); Goats and Soda (our blog dedicated to global health and development); and general science
• Pitch ideas jumping off of news developments
• Take assignments from desk editors
• Assist in reporting stories by NPR correspondents
• Cover breaking events and press briefings
• Assess scientific papers to determine newsworthiness
• Produce those stories for NPR’s website in a timely fashion
• Apply those skills to audio formats, helping to co-create the Short Wave podcast four times a week
• Pitch story and episode ideas for both the Science desk and Short Wave
• Report and produce stories on general science, domestic health and global health
• Assess science papers and other research developments for newsworthiness
• Fact-check Short Wave episodes (during second half of internship)
• Help research, book guests and write interview questions for original, enterprise reporting on the Science desk and for Short Wave
• Assist in episode audio production and promotion (during second half of internship)
• Collaborate with NPR Science desk reporters and editors, as well as Short Wave producers, reporters and hosts
• Complete a “capstone” project for each team (Science and Short Wave) consisting of an originally reported feature that you’re proud of and can put at the top of your journalism portfolio
• All work of the intern is to be performed under the close supervision of the host teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Some audio production experience
• Knowledge or background in a science field
• Sense of humor

Benefits

• Hourly Rate: The U.S. based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is $20.00 per hour
• Interns receive immediate eligibility to contribute electively to a Principal 403(b) retirement plan and access to the Transit Flexible Spending Account for commuter benefits
• Interns working out of DC HQ enjoy free access to on-site Cigna medical providers, no cost fitness center access, as well as bike facilities and garage parking available onsite
• Interns can access the Employee Assistance Program which provides confidential counseling services as well as Business Travel Accident coverage and Global Guardian membership and they also qualify for Signal Financial Federal Credit Union membership
• NPR interns who work 30 or more hours per week are eligible for holiday pay. This includes pay for the company’s 10 observed holidays plus one floating holiday per year
• Interns automatically earn 3.08 hours of sick leave each pay period without any waiting time restrictions and can utilize paid administrative leave as necessary
• Interns have access to professional development opportunities and can benefit from flexible work hours and telecommuting options