Assistant Researcher, Retraction Watch Database
The Center For Scientific Integrity, a U.S.-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is looking for a full-time Assistant Researcher to join our crew in maintaining the Retraction Watch Database (RWDB), the world’s most comprehensive, manually curated database of retractions. The RWDB, owned by Crossref and maintained by The Center For Scientific Integrity, is a vital resource for researchers, academics and policy-makers. Numerous bibliographic software systems also incorporate our downloads for their own users.
The Assistant Researcher will enter data into an existing database, locate source material from searches through various publishing and indexing platforms or from spreadsheets, and quality-check existing entries as assigned. The successful candidate, who will report to Research Director Alison Abritis, will also flag retractions that may be of particular interest for our journalists, or that may indicate a new growing trend in retractions.
The position is a full-time, fully remote position.
Position Responsibilities, Skills and Qualifications:
- Ability to accurately enter and proofread information in a database for extended blocks of time
- An eye for detail to discern inconsistencies and patterns in database entries
- Knowledge of the scholarly publishing ecosystem
- Able to work independently and within a group
Preferred qualifications:
- College degree
- Fluency and/or familiarity with multiple languages
- Experience in scholarly publishing
Salary: $40,000 per year, with a small amount of flexibility for significant experience
About the company: Retraction Watch is the flagship publication of the Center for Scientific Integrity, a 501(c)(3) organization, whose mission is to promote transparency and accuracy in science and scientific publications. The Retraction Watch Database contains more than 60,000 retractions and other notices in the scholarly literature, and is currently the world’s most comprehensive manually-curated database of retractions.
Retraction Watch is a fully remote workplace, and this role can be based anywhere in the world, as long as successful candidates can commit to at least four hours per day of overlap with US East Coast working hours.
We do not offer health insurance but U.S. employees are eligible for a 401(k) with a generous match. We also offer paid vacation time and unlimited sick time.
Applications will be accepted through August 15, 2025, but will be evaluated on a rolling basis.
Retraction Watch journalism internship
Retraction Watch covers science and research integrity through the lens of retractions. Its staff of two full-time journalists, as well as its two founding editors and a network of freelance writers, publish daily stories on research integrity, scientific misconduct, publishing, accountability, and more.
We typically offer a summer and fall internship position. The internship is 10 weeks long (with an possible extension up to 12 weeks), 35 hours per week, and pays $20/hour. It is a remote position. The intern is expected to write two to three stories per week.
Strong candidates will have a solid understanding of academic science and scientific publishing, as well as training in science journalism and a keen interest in accountability journalism.
Your application package should include your resume, three samples of your work, and answers to these questions:
- Why are you interested in the internship at Retraction Watch?
- What training and/or experience do you have in accountability journalism?
- What skills and perspectives would you bring to Retraction Watch?
Find the current deadlines and link to the application form on the Retraction Watch website.