Researcher & Fact Checker

Overview

TED-Ed and TED Curation are looking for a researcher to help fact check their content as well as some project management around fact-checking. This position’s primary focus will be working through talks, scripts, and lessons to evaluate their facts and figures (statistics, references to specific studies, qualitative descriptions, etc.), names (accuracy of reference, spelling), quotes, and any other specific references that would normally be footnoted in academic texts. Our researchers and fact checkers are here to trace the facts back to the “source.” Sometimes this means they have to go through the data sets, review the initial experiment, or reach out to the speaker or educator in question to ask about their sourcing and conclusions. TED is looking for candidates who like to know where the facts begin — sticklers for detail who find deep joy and pride in accurate research and detail vetting. This position reports to TED-Ed’s Editorial Producer and Curation Research Manager. The role will be a contractor position for between 25 and 30 hours per week and can be remote.

Strong research skills and subject area strengths are required, with previous research assistantships and/or substantial research projects preferred. Priority will be given to candidates with life science backgrounds, though special consideration will also be given towards applicants with social science and humanities backgrounds.

Responsibilities for this role include:

• Conduct research for TED-Ed lessons and TED talks before they are posted to TED’s online platforms.
• Assist with fact-checkig for the Curation Team during conferences and events
• Assist with research help requests when required.
• Other fact-checking research projects when possible.

The requirements:

• You must be able to work between 25 and 30 hours per week.
• You must know how to use a Mac.
• You should be able to demonstrate Google Document virtuosity and Microsoft Office proficiency.
• You should have 1-2 years of topic-specific experience as a fact checker or as an academic researcher.
• Strong written communication skills with an appreciation for sensitive feedback.
• Strong foundation in topic area(s) with overlapping interest across other disciplines.
• Previous experience with project and people management is required.

Preferred, but not required:

• Experience with original research and/or data collection.
• Public examples of published research.
• Language skills, such as Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, or Hindi, are helpful.

To apply:

Please provide a resume and fact-check the below statement (no cover letter is necessary). Find sources to evaluate whether this statement and its facts are accurate, and highlight what specific rephrases (if any) that you would suggest to help improve the accuracy of this statement. Make sure to identify the sources you used to evaluate each fact, and clearly document your thinking on why something should or shouldn’t be changed.

“In the United States, the suicide rate recently reached a 30-year high. It’s rising all around the world, too, and strangely, it tends to be higher in wealthy countries, where people are generally happier.”

Please note that due to the high volume of applications, only considered candidates will be notified for next steps.

TED Conferences LLC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We invite all qualified candidates to apply online with their resume.