Application Guide

How to Apply for Part-Time Journalist Support Correspondent

at American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

🏢 About American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

AAAS is the world's largest general scientific society and publisher of the prestigious journal Science. Working here means contributing to the advancement of science and serving society—a mission that attracts passionate, intellectually curious individuals. The SciLine team specifically helps journalists access scientific expertise, making this a unique blend of science communication and media support.

About This Role

As a Part-Time Journalist Support Correspondent, you'll be the first point of contact for reporters seeking expert matching through SciLine. You'll monitor the inbox, respond quickly to inquiries, coordinate with scientist-facing team members, and log interactions in Salesforce. This role is vital for ensuring journalists get timely, accurate connections to scientists, especially on tight deadlines.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve logging in for a scheduled shift, immediately checking the SciLine inbox for new journalist inquiries, and responding to urgent requests within minutes. You'll coordinate with the scientist-facing team to match experts, log details in Salesforce, and flag any tricky correspondence for your manager. Between inquiries, you might review shift notes to ensure seamless handoff to the next correspondent.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Is Looking For

  • Has journalism or media relations experience, or deep familiarity with journalistic norms and terminology (e.g., understands what a 'lede' or 'embargo' means).
  • Can communicate rapidly and succinctly, often under deadline pressure, while maintaining professionalism and accuracy.
  • Is highly organized and comfortable juggling multiple inquiries, tracking them in a database, and coordinating across shifts.
  • Is self-directed and reliable for remote, on-call work, with the ability to flag complex issues to supervisors.

📝 Tips for Applying to American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

1

Highlight any experience you have in a newsroom or media relations, even if freelance or part-time—AAAS values real-world journalism exposure.

2

Demonstrate familiarity with SciLine's expert matching service by mentioning specific examples of how you've connected journalists with experts or vice versa.

3

Emphasize your ability to work remotely and asynchronously, as this role requires independent monitoring and coordination across time zones.

4

Mention any experience with Salesforce or similar CRM tools, as data entry is a key responsibility.

5

Show that you understand the part-time, on-call nature of the role and are available for flexible shifts up to 17 hours per week.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

In your cover letter, focus on: (1) your direct experience in journalism or media relations and why you understand the needs of reporters; (2) your ability to respond quickly and succinctly under deadline; (3) any familiarity with science communication or expert matching; and (4) your comfort with remote work and database tools like Salesforce.

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore the SciLine website to understand their expert matching service, including the types of experts they connect and the journalists they serve.
  • → Read recent SciLine blog posts or reports to see current science topics and how they support journalists.
  • → Learn about AAAS's broader mission and programs, especially their science communication initiatives.
  • → Familiarize yourself with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms if you haven't used them before.
Visit American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)'s Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you handle a journalist inquiry that falls outside SciLine's scope or policies?
2 Describe a time you had to quickly find and connect a reporter with an expert source—what was your process?
3 What strategies would you use to ensure smooth coordination with other team members across different shifts?
4 How do you prioritize multiple incoming inquiries when some are urgent and others can wait?
5 Why are you interested in supporting SciLine's mission, and how does this role fit into your career goals?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Do not submit a generic cover letter that doesn't mention SciLine or the specific responsibilities of this role.
  • Avoid downplaying any journalism experience—even freelance or student work counts and should be highlighted.
  • Do not ignore the part-time, on-call nature of the position; failing to address your availability and flexibility could hurt your application.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)!

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