Contract Position - Freelance Editor and Researcher, Future Humans

Los Angeles

Position Overview

The Berggruen Institute is seeking a skilled Editor and Researcher Contractor to provide writing, editing, and research support to the Future Humans projects. This person will work closely with Dr. Claire Isabel Webb on writing projects about consciousness, history of science, art and design, and the search for life beyond Earth.

This work will include editing and researching both scientific and creative materials, from book manuscripts and articles to interviews and podcasts. The main objective is to provide both high-level editorial feedback and granular proofing to Future Humans’ writing projects while managing an editorial calendar. The successful candidate will refine content, maintain factual accuracy, and preserve the imaginative, poetic tone of Dr. Claire Webb’s work for various audiences (academic, general, and the Berggruen Institute).

This is a contract-based role with a flexible structure, ideal for an independent professional or freelancer who can commit to managing a high-volume of work. As a contractor, the individual will work on a project-to-project basis with defined scopes of work and deliverables. While collaboration with the Berggruen Institute’s internal teams is essential, this position requires the ability to operate independently, manage multiple priorities, and bring strategic recommendations for platform growth and engagement.

Responsibilities

Manuscript & Article Editing

  • Provide editorial feedback for publication with external presses
  • Integrate feedback from co-editors and co-authors.
  • Manage references, bibliographies, and footnotes in line with Chicago Manual of Style (or publisher guidelines).
  • Maintain an editorial calendar.

Research & Fact-Checking

  • Conduct literature reviews and verify data sources.
  • Complie annotated bibliographies to support Dr. Webb’s writing.
  • Confirm accuracy of citations for both popular and academic outlets.

Tone Preservation & Stylistic Alignment

  • Maintain Claire Webb’s distinct poetic, metaphorical style while ensuring clarity and coherence.
  • Flag sections where style or content may conflict with publication standards

Scripts & Interview Material

  • Draft or refine questions, outlines, and scripts for Future Humans interviews, podcasts, and presentations.
  • Ensure scientific accuracy and cohesive storytelling

Version Control & Collaboration

  • Use tools (ie. Google Docs and Microsoft Word) to track changes for transparent editing.
  • Communicate clearly and effectively with external co-editors, scientists, and the Future Humans team to track updates.

Communication & Updates

  • Report primarily to Claire Webb (~60% direct communication) for editorial decisions.
  • Provide progress reports or status updates on deliverables and timelines.

Collaboration & Workflow Notes

Check-Ins: Weekly or biweekly calls/meetings with Claire Webb to discuss progress, identify upcoming needs, and address any bottlenecks.

File-Sharing & Security: All manuscripts, transcripts, or supporting documents are shared via secure platforms (e.g., Google Drive). The freelancer must maintain confidentiality.

Publisher Interactions: The freelancer may liaise directly with external editors regarding content-related queries, but contractual or business negotiations remain the domain of the Future Humans team.

Required Skills

  • Demonstrated strong editing & proofreading skills
  • Ability to locate, gather, and analyze information from scientific, philosophical, and creative sources efficiently and accurately.
  • Ability to write clearly and concisely for various audiences.
  • Attention to detail is paramount (including across project text for multiple outlets)
  • Ability to evaluate and judge the quality of research sources
  • Ability to manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines
  • Ability to communicate effectively with BI teams.
  • Familiarity with Google Suite and Microsoft Word.

Qualifications & Experience

  • 5+ years of experience in editing, research, writing, or a related field is highly required.
  • A strong portfolio showcasing your editing, writing, and research skills.
  • Bachelor's degree.
  • Understanding and interest in the work of the Future Humans project.
  • Professional website or online profile that showcases your work and brand.

Compensation

Salary range for this project based work is $32-40 per hour, commensurate with professional experience, and requires a minimum involvement of 20 hours per week.
If you are interested in this role, please email your resume and cover letter to careers@berggruen.org. No phone calls please.

About The Berggruen Institute

The mission of the Berggruen Institute is to ask questions and develop foundational ideas about how to reshape political and social institutions in a transforming society. We work across cultures, disciplines, and political boundaries to engage great thinkers in developing and promoting long-term answers to the biggest challengers of the 21st century.