Senior Associate - Misinformation Initiative

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is searching for a Senior Associate with expertise in public health and/or nutrition science and the ability to identify and combat misinformation. The ideal candidate will have a strong research background and will be skilled at translating complex scientific studies into engaging, accessible public-facing content that helps non-scientists navigate misleading or false health-related information. This role is critical in helping the public make informed decisions by clearly communicating evidence-based conclusions and debunking common myths and misconceptions found in traditional and social media.

Health misinformation runs rampant online, with a likelihood of expansion, in part thanks to growing usage and usability of social media and generative AI. CSPI aims to be the authoritative body that consumers and the media turn to for trustworthy health information. We seek to respond quickly and thoughtfully to popular but false claims circulating online, like seed oils being toxic, vaccines causing autism, and beans causing inflammation. Combatting misinformation is part of CSPI’s broader mission of providing consumers with accurate, evidence-based advice to empower them to make health-related decisions.

This is a 24-month, grant-funded, full-time position with a likelihood of extension. The Senior Associate is a member of the Science department and reports to the Senior Nutrition Scientist. This position works in collaboration with colleagues across the organization engaged in activities related to these issues.

CSPI’s office is in Washington, DC, where we offer a hybrid work environment, but many of our staff work remotely at locations across the US. We will consider DC-based or remote applicants within the US.

About CSPI

CSPI, “Your food and health watchdog,” is one of the nation’s leading public health advocacy organizations with an over 50-year record of fighting for science in the public interest. CSPI’s ultimate goal is to improve health and wellbeing for people in all communities, regardless of race, income, education, or social factors. We do this by advocating for evidence-based and community-informed policies on nutrition, food safety, and health; holding government agencies and corporations to account; and empowering consumers with independent, unbiased information. At CSPI, we take a multi-pronged approach to protect consumers and tamp down misinformation. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, open hostility to scientific expertise eroded public confidence in government and science. CSPI immediately sprang into action, twice testifying before Congress and calling out those who spread misinformation and promoted false claims about vaccines, drugs, and dietary supplements. And for more than 40 years, CSPI’s flagship publication, Nutrition Action, has dedicated its pages to exposing—and swiftly correcting—the misinformation that runs rampant in traditional, health, and social media outlets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify the most popular and pernicious health and nutrition-related misinformation trends online on social and traditional media, including fad diets, pseudoscience, and unsupported health claims. Assist in developing campaigns countering this misinformation, including writing action alerts, letters to the editor, and letters or petitions to government agencies.
• Identify and critically evaluate the scientific evidence on complex nutrition- and health-related topics.
• Collaborate with in-house nutrition and communication experts, dietitians, scientists, and content creators to ensure accuracy and clarity in messaging.
• Write online articles geared toward a general audience that translate findings from scientific research in a clear, accurate, and compelling way.
• Assist CSPI’s communications team in adapting online articles into social media content.

Qualifications:

• Doctorate in Nutrition, Public Health, or a related field OR Master's in Nutrition, Public Health, or a related field with 5+ years of experience evaluating scientific literature in the fields of public health or nutrition.
• Familiarity with research designs and ability to understand statistical techniques.
• Strong understanding of and experience in interpreting public health research, particularly in the field of nutrition. This includes the ability to critically evaluate research results based on strengths and limitations of the study design and execution.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain scientific research clearly and persuasively, especially to non-experts.
• Familiarity with common sources of misinformation and pseudoscience related to health and nutrition in traditional media and social media.
• Skills in multitasking and adapting in a fast-paced environment, with a track record of successfully managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience working across teams in a positive, inclusive, collaborative, and strategic organizational culture.
• Interest and commitment to CSPI’s work and mission and embracing of CSPI’s core values (described below).
• Demonstrated experience taking initiative, exercising good judgment, and using diplomacy and discretion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and research databases, such as PubMed.

CSPI on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

CSPI is committed to including and valuing diverse voices and fostering a culture that ensures all staff feel a sense of belonging and are encouraged to be their best selves. In that spirit, each of us is committed to putting in constant work to live up to our organization’s core values:

• We are inclusive. We seek to foster an environment where all staff feel a sense of belonging and are affirmed. We are not looking for everyone to think and look the same. We actively welcome and value staff with different experiences, backgrounds, attributes, abilities, and perspectives.
• We are open. We are honest and direct in how we communicate with each other in order to build trust and integrity within our organization.
• We are accountable. We acknowledge and assume responsibility for our actions.
• We are kind. We communicate and treat one another in a respectful, generous, considerate, and compassionate way.
• We are collaborative. We work together for the common good and shared success.

COVID Policies

As a public health organization, CSPI makes efforts to maintain a safe workplace for employees and visitors. We require all employees to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are eligible, and the vaccine is available to them. Proof of vaccination is required during the onboarding process.