In November 2015, STAT was launched as a media company focused on health, medicine, and life sciences. We have become an authoritative and trustworthy news source, and our team has won numerous journalism awards, including being named as a 2021 Pulitzer finalist. The STAT brand includes a website, mobile app, numerous newsletters, live and virtual events, and other products. STAT is affiliated with Boston Globe Media Partners but is independent from The Boston Globe.

Job Description:

STAT is looking for a reporter to cover the crisis of drug and alcohol addiction and substance misuse, from causes and societal impact to the future of treatment and prevention and what stands in its way.  The rise in fatal overdoses and “deaths of despair” make it imperative to understand why progress has stalled and what measures can reduce the human toll. 

Responsibilities:

• Tell smart, compelling stories about addiction and substance misuse, on topics such as new dangers in the illicit drug supply, rising use among particular groups, social stigma and inequities, the abysmal quality of most addiction treatment, the gap between government promises and action, research on non-addictive pain medications, and innovative approaches to prevent substance use disorders and curb overdose deaths. 
• Cover news, including research on addiction prevalence and treatments, spot stories on new trends emerging in public health data, and more. 
• Scrutinize the financial interests, lobbying groups, and regulatory decisions that determine who profits from new treatments, or from maintaining the status quo.   
• Explain how the laws and regulations around substance use are changing, and what states are having success or not.
• Work alongside and sometimes in collaboration with other STAT reporters who report on aspects of the opioid crisis. 
• Contribute items to STAT newsletters, participate in STAT events, and cover other duties or other spot stories from time to time.

Qualifications: 

• At least three years experience covering health or science issues.
• Proven ability to break news, generate ideas, dive deep, clarify the complex, and write with precision and compassion. 
• Productiveness working alone and openness to collaborating with others at STAT.
• Willingness to try out different story forms.
• A willingness to adapt and be audience focused, with a curious mindset and a commitment to creating an inclusive work environment 

Compensation/Location:

The minimum salary for this position is $75,000. We offer a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, a 401k plan, generous vacation, parental leave, and more. We also provide Care.com back-up care and have numerous wellness offerings, including free access to HeadSpace for all full time employees. 

This position can be based in our Boston headquarters or remotely. While the location is flexible, occasional travel is likely. That would include trips to STAT’s headquarters and travel to other cities for reporting purposes. 

We know that there are strong candidates who may not fit precisely into what we’ve described above or who have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

Please send your resume, cover letter, and links to up to five clips that showcase your reporting attached to your resume or following your cover letter. In your resume and/or cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc.).

This position is a union position covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Boston Newspaper Guild.

STAT is committed to building adiverse and inclusive workplace. We strive to create a culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates all voices. A staff that reflects the world around us makes for better — and more accurate — journalism

Apply at the link below:

https://bostonglobemediapartners.applytojob.com/apply/StDk99KNma/STAT-Addiction-Reporter