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China Correspondent, Science

thenewyorktimes Seoul, Korea; Taipei, Taiwan


No Relocation

Posted: May 21, 2026

Job Description

The Science desk of the New York Times is looking for a creative, energetic reporter to cover Chinese science for an English-speaking audience. We’re looking for someone who can read widely, in Mandarin and/or Cantonese, and English, and develop a large and diverse network of sources in order to find stories that dramatize the precipitous rise of China as a scientific powerhouse. Topics will include major investments and funding cuts, rising and falling academic stars, the personalities and narratives behind pathbreaking research, the rise of A.I., and more. 

The Science desk is a highly collaborative team; editors and reporters work closely together to embrace storytelling forms that resonate with readers, and work in an open and collaborative way with other desks of The Times. The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to translate complex scientific subjects to a general audience, and an appetite for fast, frequent filing at a range of lengths and forms — news, explainers, features, audio and video.

This is an in-office position based in a New York Times bureau in Asia, and includes regular attendance in the office four days each week. There may be some flexibility to work remotely per your departmental guidance. The location of the role will be discussed with the recruiter during the interview process. Frequent travel will also be required. 

Responsibilities:

  • Cover breaking news and produce larger think pieces and cutting-edge features. 
  • Write clear, concise, and engaging news stories that adhere to journalistic style guidelines.
  • Use established sources and develop additional ones to land exclusive stories and to cover this beat authoritatively.
  • Monitor news and deliver a steady stream of story ideas that help explain the beat.
  • Collaborate with colleagues across the newsroom.
  • Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
  • This role reports to a Science editor.

Basic Qualifications:

  • 5+ years relevant experience in English-language science journalism or communications
  • Proficiency in Mandarin and/or Cantonese
  • Strong sense of journalistic standards, including ethics and news judgment

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Fluent in Mandarin or Cantonese 
  • Experience working as a reporter in high-pressure, deadline-driven newsrooms
  • A strong understanding of Times style and standards

REQ-020148

Additional Content

The Science desk of the New York Times is looking for a creative, energetic reporter to cover Chinese science for an English-speaking audience. We’re looking for someone who can read widely, in Mandarin and/or Cantonese, and English, and develop a large and diverse network of sources in order to find stories that dramatize the precipitous rise of China as a scientific powerhouse. Topics will include major investments and funding cuts, rising and falling academic stars, the personalities and narratives behind pathbreaking research, the rise of A.I., and more. 

The Science desk is a highly collaborative team; editors and reporters work closely together to embrace storytelling forms that resonate with readers, and work in an open and collaborative way with other desks of The Times. The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to translate complex scientific subjects to a general audience, and an appetite for fast, frequent filing at a range of lengths and forms — news, explainers, features, audio and video.

This is an in-office position based in a New York Times bureau in Asia, and includes regular attendance in the office four days each week. There may be some flexibility to work remotely per your departmental guidance. The location of the role will be discussed with the recruiter during the interview process. Frequent travel will also be required. 

Responsibilities:

  • Cover breaking news and produce larger think pieces and cutting-edge features. 
  • Write clear, concise, and engaging news stories that adhere to journalistic style guidelines.
  • Use established sources and develop additional ones to land exclusive stories and to cover this beat authoritatively.
  • Monitor news and deliver a steady stream of story ideas that help explain the beat.
  • Collaborate with colleagues across the newsroom.
  • Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
  • This role reports to a Science editor.

Basic Qualifications:

  • 5+ years relevant experience in English-language science journalism or communications
  • Proficiency in Mandarin and/or Cantonese
  • Strong sense of journalistic standards, including ethics and news judgment

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Fluent in Mandarin or Cantonese 
  • Experience working as a reporter in high-pressure, deadline-driven newsrooms
  • A strong understanding of Times style and standards

REQ-020148