University of Maryland
Data Journalist, Howard Center for Investigative Journalism
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, us, 20741
Job Description Summary & Additional Information
Additional Job Description:
The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism is a non-profit investigative reporting unit that produces deeply reported investigative stories in partnership with leading national news organizations like NPR, PBS NewsHour, The Associated Press and USA Today.
Based at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism, the center is led by veteran journalists who mentor and oversee early-career reporters. In 2025, the Howard Center was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Investigative Reporting for a data-driven investigation into deaths in police custody produced in collaboration with the Associated Press and Frontline.
We are seeking two full-time Data Journalists to join our team.
Key Responsibilites Include: At least three years of data journalism experience in a professional newsroom, in a role that in some way involved writing code to perform common data journalism tasks. Experience with teaching, training or mentoring, which could include (but is not limited to):
K-12 or university-level teaching. Leading a workshop session at an industry conference or in a newsroom. Mentoring interns or early-career journalists. Developing training materials.
Collaborate with center staff, graduate fellows, students, faculty and professional news organization partners to produce data-driven investigative journalism. Collect, clean and maintain structured datasets and document collections gathered by the center for use by news organizations, non-profit groups, researchers and others. Develop documentation memos, how-to guides, methodology white papers, virtual/in-person training seminars, software tools, programming libraries, data notebooks, "story recipes" or other artifacts to help others make use of structured datasets and document collections maintained by the center. Attend industry conferences and visit newsroom partners to teach, learn and promote use of Howard Center work. Assist in the identification of new partnership opportunities and in the maintenance of existing partnerships. Develop and test scalable investigative reporting techniques that rely on advanced computational methods, machine learning models, large language models and other forms of AI, and novel data sources. Teach at least one data journalism course per year at the college. Organization's Summary Statement:
The Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, consistently ranked among the world's top journalism schools, develops journalists and media scholars with rigorous reporting, research, and analytical skills, a commitment to ethics, and an appreciation for the First Amendment's key role in a free society.
Located a few miles from the United States capital, Washington, D.C., the college employs acclaimed researchers and repeat winners of journalism's top awards - including the Pulitzer, Peabody, and Emmy awards - and prepares students to join a dynamic profession.
Merrill College students - who enjoy small classes but also have access to the resources and opportunities available at one of the nation's top public universities - leave Maryland with strong writing and visual skills, a command of technology, and a nuanced understanding of data analysis and audience engagement.
Required Application Materials:
A current resume or CV A cover letter of no more than 500 words No more than two work examples that demonstrate an ability to do data journalism, along with a brief note explaining your contribution. Work examples could include:
News published in any medium, including text, video and graphics. A structured dataset you created and released. A data-driven web application you helped develop. A software package you developed.
Best Consideration Date:
8/25/2025
Posting Close Date:
9/2/2025
Open Until Filled:
Yes
Additional Search committee members:
Adam Marton
Danae Johnson
Daniel Trielli
Department JOUR-Philip Merrill College of Journalism
Worker Sub-Type Faculty Non-Regular (Fixed Term)
Salary Range $85,000 - $100,000
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment Eligibility
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
EEO Statement
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University's Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice
Resources
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Search Firm Managed Recruitment
There are some positions that are not advertised on this career site as the search is being managed by a Search Firm.
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Additional Job Description:
The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism is a non-profit investigative reporting unit that produces deeply reported investigative stories in partnership with leading national news organizations like NPR, PBS NewsHour, The Associated Press and USA Today.
Based at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism, the center is led by veteran journalists who mentor and oversee early-career reporters. In 2025, the Howard Center was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Investigative Reporting for a data-driven investigation into deaths in police custody produced in collaboration with the Associated Press and Frontline.
We are seeking two full-time Data Journalists to join our team.
Key Responsibilites Include: At least three years of data journalism experience in a professional newsroom, in a role that in some way involved writing code to perform common data journalism tasks. Experience with teaching, training or mentoring, which could include (but is not limited to):
K-12 or university-level teaching. Leading a workshop session at an industry conference or in a newsroom. Mentoring interns or early-career journalists. Developing training materials.
Collaborate with center staff, graduate fellows, students, faculty and professional news organization partners to produce data-driven investigative journalism. Collect, clean and maintain structured datasets and document collections gathered by the center for use by news organizations, non-profit groups, researchers and others. Develop documentation memos, how-to guides, methodology white papers, virtual/in-person training seminars, software tools, programming libraries, data notebooks, "story recipes" or other artifacts to help others make use of structured datasets and document collections maintained by the center. Attend industry conferences and visit newsroom partners to teach, learn and promote use of Howard Center work. Assist in the identification of new partnership opportunities and in the maintenance of existing partnerships. Develop and test scalable investigative reporting techniques that rely on advanced computational methods, machine learning models, large language models and other forms of AI, and novel data sources. Teach at least one data journalism course per year at the college. Organization's Summary Statement:
The Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, consistently ranked among the world's top journalism schools, develops journalists and media scholars with rigorous reporting, research, and analytical skills, a commitment to ethics, and an appreciation for the First Amendment's key role in a free society.
Located a few miles from the United States capital, Washington, D.C., the college employs acclaimed researchers and repeat winners of journalism's top awards - including the Pulitzer, Peabody, and Emmy awards - and prepares students to join a dynamic profession.
Merrill College students - who enjoy small classes but also have access to the resources and opportunities available at one of the nation's top public universities - leave Maryland with strong writing and visual skills, a command of technology, and a nuanced understanding of data analysis and audience engagement.
Required Application Materials:
A current resume or CV A cover letter of no more than 500 words No more than two work examples that demonstrate an ability to do data journalism, along with a brief note explaining your contribution. Work examples could include:
News published in any medium, including text, video and graphics. A structured dataset you created and released. A data-driven web application you helped develop. A software package you developed.
Best Consideration Date:
8/25/2025
Posting Close Date:
9/2/2025
Open Until Filled:
Yes
Additional Search committee members:
Adam Marton
Danae Johnson
Daniel Trielli
Department JOUR-Philip Merrill College of Journalism
Worker Sub-Type Faculty Non-Regular (Fixed Term)
Salary Range $85,000 - $100,000
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment Eligibility
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
EEO Statement
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University's Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice
Resources
Learn how military skills translate to civilian opportunities with O*Net Online
Search Firm Managed Recruitment
There are some positions that are not advertised on this career site as the search is being managed by a Search Firm.
Please visit the link below to see these available opportunities:
Search Firm Managed Vacancies