Staff Writer

Position description

The Atlantic is seeking an experienced historian to join our newsroom as a staff writer focused on the intersection of American history and The Atlantic’s own history. The ideal candidate will be a prolific scholar who writes engaging, accessible prose,  is deeply knowledgeable about American history, and insatiably curious about the ways that exploring the past can enhance our understanding of the present and future.  

This candidate should excel at contextualizing the past—both in the context of its own time, and also for contemporary audiences. The ideal candidate should enjoy working in an environment that is fast-paced, highly collaborative, embraces complexity, and is energized by debate. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a wide-range of preoccupations and storytelling modes, and will write about subjects big, seemingly small, serious, esoteric, strange, and awe-inspiring. 

Our historian will regularly publish stories that revive fascinating episodes of history—both from our own 167-year archive of Atlantic journalism, and in response to news events of the day. You may also occasionally commission and edit essays from other historians and writers. 

Responsibilities include:

• Develop a deep understanding of The Atlantic as an institution, its archives, and the intersection of its journalism and writers with key moments in U.S. and world history

• Write at least one essay per week related to an archival piece in The Atlantic, or a key moment in history worth revisiting

• Bring your unique expertise to bear on The Atlantic’s archives

• Write with authority about many different eras of American history in all its complexity

• Contribute original writing to our Time Travel Thursday newsletter

• Occasionally commission essays from others on these topics

Skills and Qualifications

• Excellent writing skills and the ability to write for a general (non-academic) audience

• Advanced degree in American history preferred but not required

• Impeccable research skills

• Comfort working in a fast-paced deadline-driven environment with potential for night and weekend work

• Strong collaborative skills

This position is based in Washington, D.C., or New York City. 

Salary minimum: $120,000; Salary maximum: $140,000

Application instructions

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