You may or may not have noticed that The Toast’s official Twitter account (accept no imitations!) featured a brief call for female scientists last week. After it was RT’d eleventy billion (we’re not scientists) times, and we got a ton of emails from, like, dudes who don’t even read The Toast, we decided to talk a little more specifically about what we’re looking for.
Our dream is to have a recurring science column authored by a woman (all female-identified individuals are encouraged to apply) with a PhD in A Science of Some Kind–ideally one of the really hard ones–and a delightful, accessible writing style, who already reads The Toast.
This scientist would improve on the “hastily read abstract which tangentially mentions women, draw possibly correct conclusion and then blame penises” school of general interest lady-blog science coverage (this is not a veiled insult, we literally all do this.)
This scientist would answer questions from readers, write interesting pieces about developing science-related stories, provide advice on science-related employment and education and mentoring issues, and just generally be the sort of individual we wish was better represented in our public discourse.
This scientist, although usually aware she is writing for a general audience, would be allowed to write once a year about her own field in a really high-concept way that will bore most of our readers but please herself and entertain a few.
This scientist already has a real science job, because she’s amazing, but is energized at the prospect of being paid to write intelligently and amusingly for other women and supportive men once or twice a month for a neat website.
As we engage in our “She Blinded Me With Science”-scored cinematic montage of looking for the right female scientist, we will be running a bunch of one-off columns by female scientists, which we hope you will enjoy. Please tell us if you really really really like one of them.
Now, please share this on all of your social media so we can find our female scientist soulmate.
Tags: female scientists, meta, science, science women, women in science
So, how many apologetic dudes pitched a story to you this time?
p.s. I’m not science-y at all, so, sorry about that.
Not that many! Although we did get a few dudes asking us if we have a submissions policy.
(We do. It’s on our Submissions page.)
We will also accept a female scientist who had not read The Toast before she was forwarded our call for female scientists, but then read all the archives at once and can answer Toast-specific questions about texts and Benedict Cumberbatch.
OH MY GOODNESS. I know everything about Benedict Cumberbatch. And most of Science.
(One of those things is less true than the other.)
But I do know a lot about science. Pick meeeeeeee.
(BSc Physics, MSc Medical Physics, PhD Neuroscience, Currently postdoc in Psychiatry Department. Fulbright Scholar.)
HI EMAIL US PLEASE
Ha – thank you for adding that last edit! I couldn’t see what I was supposed to do about contacting you for the life of me!
Email is on its way 🙂
Yeah, I felt it wasn’t important to include any actual information about getting in touch with us, because a real scientist can read minds or send instructions for building spaceships via radio signals.
My favorite prof in grad school didn’t list his office anywhere online, doesn’t label the door, doesn’t have a bell, and sits with headphones on. So I wandered the corridors for about 30 minutes before engaging my extensive peer network (I made my friend hold my hand and walk me all the way to the correct door then call one of the prof’s grad students).
I can find an email address online, no problemo.
Damn straight.
Are you accepting applications for apprentices? Alternatively, could you please by my guru
Signed:
dreaming of grad school, hating the application process…
Eleventysix, you are now my padawan.
First thing to do is read BC’s reddit AMA <a href=”http://(http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1o8l5f/i_am_benedict_cumberbatch_ama/)” target=”_blank”>(http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1o8l5f/i_am_benedict_cumberbatch_ama/) then youtube “neutron cream”. That should get you started. Don’t be afraid to click on the suggested links on youtube for more exploration.
Or did you want to know about science?!? 😉
I’m replying to a 2 year old comment, but you’re kind of living my dream life, science-wise. Or were, two years ago. Sooooo, did anything come out of this? 🙂 Are you still in the running to become the Toast dot net’s one true scientist? Would you like to stop by a Friday Open Thread and talk some science with us?
Sure! Absolutely!! Can you DM me on Twitter and I’ll send you my contact details? Or just google Kirstie Whitaker – I think I’m near the top. It would be great to chat 🙂
Can I just do the second half? I can be the Cumberbatch Correspondentbatch.
Actually, though, I think I just reached my saturation point with him, even though I crushed madly on him for months. Everyone’s talking about him, everyone’s telling him how great he is as a person and an actor, and he’s having such a fabulous time that it’s making me feel super-bad about my own life. I wonder if anyone can relate to that. I know that’s not how crushes are supposed to make you feel, and I guess I have boundary issues, but I suppose I need a Cumberbreak!
He is mad dishy, though. 🙁
I’m a geophysicist professor and my boyfriend LOOKS like Benedict Cumberbatch (he’s also a scientist, but I outrank him in degrees and academic experience). Expect an email from me soon!
As someone who is trying to find female science writers (who don’t even necessarily have to be a scientist, just an interest in the field), with little luck, I say: LADIES, DON’T BE SCARED TO WRITE ABOUT SCIENCE. YOUR EDITOR WILL PROTECT YOU FROM ASSHATS WITH THE POWER OF COMMENT MODERATION.
I get your reticence. That’s why it’s important that you do it anyway.
HERE AND PRESENT, YOU OFFERING A JOB?
J/K. I have a job. THOUGH I CAN BE BOUGHT.
No, but really I know a lot of female science writers, what are you looking for?
Ditto to thebellewitch. I have a couple of friends that would love to write full time about science. Do let me know if you’re actively looking.
*is female science writer, raises hand*
I guess I should also clarify that it’s volunteer only at this point, but not even the editors get paid. Here’s all the information if you’re still interested!
I’ve got a network or two I can send this out on. You never know when someone might be game for some pro bono work.
UM, STOP TRYING TO STEAL OUR FEMALE SCIENCE WRITERS PLEASE.
I’M SORRY NICOLE SHE ASKED 🙁
I forgive you.
I’LL SEND OUT YOUR PITCH TOO, NICOLE.
I can make it up to you by sending you a picture of my corgi wearing a Pokemon hat.
GO ON.
It’s a bit overexposed, but his expression more than makes up for it.
Looking for female science writers? Contact info please? 😀
Application details at the bottom of the post, we’re happy to hear from you.
“hastily read abstract which tangentially mentions women, draw possibly correct conclusion and then blame penises”.
Gah! [throws hands up] Penises. Y’know?
I mean, don’t NOT blame penises.
“My methodology would’ve been more rigorous but my penis (and others?) keep on getting in the way!” – Male Scientist
“Ahhhhh how can I read this brain scan with all of these penises?!?!” – Another Male Researcher
I have a PhD, but no writing ability, so I salute those who do – will enjoy reading it :).
You could be interviewed by a writer sans PhD, right? Write? Wright? Oh, dear.
I’m only allowed to interact with non-PhDs if my handlers are present ;). (And don’t put your fingers through the bars).
So should I send you guys my CV or what?
YES. I HAVE BEEN YELLING YOUR NAME AT MY COMPUTER WHILE READING THIS POST AND COMMENTS.
TELL ME HOW TO COOK METH
for fun and profit
I’m still in grad school, but I am already REALLY good at completing tasks tangentially related to my research and then throwing up my hands and yelling “Science!”
I’m a PhD student, so I am technically only a Baby Scientist in chemistry/chemical biology. I know quite a bit about disgusting and lethal parasites, so I am great at parties. If you ever need a piece on how to make your friends uncomfortable with gross science-y factoids, I’ll be here.
I would read all the posts on disgusting and lethal parasites! And also gross science-y factoids!
I definitely brought up fecal transplants at the last party I attended. I’m sure my friend was THRILLED she invited me to her open house.
Fecal transplants are fascinating, dude! We’re curing serious illnesses with poop! If that doesn’t simultaneously delight and disgust you, I don’t know what to say. Also, seconding jessieXbee’s enthusiasm for posts on disgusting/lethal parasites!
related: http://threewordphrase.com/donor.htm
Blogging about fecal transplants: so much fun! http://scienceblogs.com/thepumphandle/2013/01/17/…
Kudos to the Ontario docs who are developing a synthetic stool called … wait for it … RePOOPulate.
What kind of parasites? I’m just a lowly undergrad, but I work in a lab that does a lot of lymphatic filariasis work.
We’ve got that in our lab! I work with schistosoma and flatworms.
Oh my god I AM YOUR LADY SCIENTIST except that I quit science after getting my PhD (dolla dolla billz y’all) and now am just an actual MEDICAL WRITER brb daydreaming of pitches oh god writing is hard I MEAN FUN I mean hard.
who are you, we have the same life??
What up, medical writer! I quit science BEFORE getting my PhD (I did leave with a Master’s) and went into medical writing. Except I didn’t really know what I was doing and now I work in drug safety, but I’m still a member of AMWA and teach a cancer pharmacology workshop at the annual conference.
On a related point, Jodie Foster will always be Dr. Arroway to me.
So there are a lot of sciences out there, why only pick one scientist and not a panel of gal scientists?
Because we have a strict Highlander policy when it comes to scientists. No, we will of course continue to accept excellent science-related one-off pitches as they come our way; this is a very particular role of Semi-Regular Science Correspondent.
FWIW, I’m kinda into a gladiatorial style round robin thing. Brackets, house-controlled odds, ticket sales. This could be an alternative revenue stream for us.
Sounds like you need SuperHero Psychologist Lisa Diamond to come in and debunk all the poorly interpreted gender studies!
I am sure Lisa Diamond is very busy and I have no association with her, other than quiet fangirling.
or Cordelia Fine!!! I would die if Cordelia Fine (neuroscientist + author of the fantastic book Delusions of Gender) was a toast correspondent.
Delusions of Gender should be required reading for every parent, child, evolutionary psychologist, etc in the world
Hello! I have several biological lady parts, internally identify as female, have loved TheToast since its birth, and am partially qualified for this position? Maybe? My science is unfortunately of the soft, gooey social variety (Psychology), and I’m only a PhD candidate. You know what? I’m going to just send in a pitch/CV/sample anyway. It would make my day to have legitimate e-mail communication with TheToast. I just want the attention, really.
We’re happy to see one-off pitches for particular articles from all gal scientists, even gal scientists who do not fit the criteria to be our True Gal Scientist of Recurrence.
and we want you to have it!
Ahhhhhhhhhh I know the perfect person for this; brb, pushing this at her so fast it might as well be a blue shell in Mario Kart.
In lieu of a CV and writing sample, will you accept a half-finished research paper draft soaked in a heady mix of red ink and bitter tears?
I’m not sure I know any sciencey girls, but I have shared this far and wide and can’t wait to read all the things.
I have a Ph.D. in Physics and my dissertation research was in Radio Astronomy and I (embarrassingly) was inspired to become an astronomer by the movie Contact.
Unfortunately I am much better at physics than writing, especially when rendered incoherent with Rage At Men.
But I just wanted to say thank you, The Toast, for doing this! I love you, The Toast!
Do not be embarassed! I love Contact!
Wait, is it considered embarrassing to have been inspired to enter astronomy/physics by Contact? Asking for a friend, haha. *Tugs at collar, looks around nervously.*
Shall we make it a contest? I wrote my college admissions essay on my plans to discover intelligent life in the universe, complete with the Drake equation!
No more embarrassing than going into pathology/medicine because of Dana Scully.
Neither should be embarrassing at all btw. I would much rather prefer that women go into science because of cool chicks on tv than men go into advertising because of Don Draper.
While we’re (tangentially) on the subject, a shout out that tomorrow is Ada Lovelace day, an international day celebrating the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths. I’m super excited to be going to a cabaret evening featuring some awesome technical and sciency women!
Ada Lovelace! I love her. So much better than her mopey dad Lord Byron, right? “She walks in beauty” blah blah, let’s write musical compositions in binary notation instead, MOTHAFUCKAS.
Also, for anyone who hasn’t seen it, Sydney Padua wrote a fantastic comic to celebrate Ada Lovelace Day in 2009, and she kept it going as a series, and it is great. Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage have crime-fighting adventures. At one point George Elliot makes a guest appearance.
Ooh, that comic sounds amazing, will have to check it out!
“That’s the sort of thing your FATHER would say — I’m buying you another abacus!”
“But I have SO MANY!”
Yesssss so perfect. Kate Beaton is amazing.
Guys, let’s just talk about webcomics all day.
ALL DAY
Hooray! I’m so excited to read this. There are a lot of great women scientists with blogs
(Neurotic Physiology, Context and Variation, Adventures in Ethics & Science, Isis the Scientist, Aetiology, The Urban Scientist, etc) and a lot of great blogs by women with science expertise but no doctoral degrees (Superbug, Body Horrors, Elemental, etc). But there will be something extra special about reading science writing alongside texts from Emily Dickinson, harrowing drinking stories, and Cumberbatchiana.
Over the weekend, Dr. Danielle Lee (DNLee of The Urban Scientist) turned down a request that she blog for free for Biology Online, and the editor called her a whore in response; then Scientific American took down her blog post about that outrage. Biology Online has since fired the editor, and Scientific American has republished the post. It’s a sad reminder of the fact that women blogging about science still face barriers they shouldn’t.
… and now I see that The Toast is already on top of the DNLee story!
I am female, and a practicing scientist, but I only have an M.Sc. in a girly science (biology) and probably would not be able to keep up the time commitment once field season hits, so I’m just going to read the columns and be really excited! But I would be totally available if you want some input from a fish/wildlife/conservation expert or someone who could talk about the Canadian Fisheries Act and the horrors of what Stephen Harper has done to it ALL DAY BECAUSE OMG HE IS TERRIBLE
I love reading about conservation and how terrible Harper is! Reading about it on the Toast would be even better, you should write something!
CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR LIFE BECAUSE I’M CURRENTLY TRYING TO DECIDE IF I WANT TO LIVE IT.
I realize that probably sounded weird but I guess it’s worth a shot? I mean obviously you don’t have to tell me about your life if you don’t want to…. I’m just curious ’cause I’m a bio kid who got her BA like two years ago, and I’ve done field research pertaining to fish populations and also zooplankton and I’m still weighing a MSc vs. just trying to get into something sciencey from the non-academic end because not being in the field is boring 🙁 Anyway if I could ever bug you for questions about getting a masters or what you’re doing now, please let me know! 😀
I was gonna apply, as I have a PhD and I am a paleontologist/ecologist, but I saw upthread a FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR APPLIED so why even bother. Also, Benedict Cumberbatch.
BOTHER BECAUSE THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR MORE SCIENCE and because you should never take yourself out of the running for anything.
I mean, take yourself out of the running for things you don’t want, obviously. But not this!
Aaaaaaah! Don’t be put off. That’s actually what I want to write about – where to find the confidence to fake it til you make it! It’s all smoke and mirrors in this game. Write something – doooo it.
I am not a scientist, I’m just excited that this is going to exist. SCIENCE!
You know what, dear Toast?
After reading Tania Browne’s piece calling you out on this (http://www.scilogs.com/epilogue/an-open-letter-to-the-toast/) I think that I would love to see you commission a guest piece from her. She is a brilliant, accessible science writer and comes with my Scientist Seal of Approval.
Which I am totally licensed to use, being a practicing published research scientist in the field of molecular biology – despite the fact that I don’t have a PhD, either. Neither, it must be said, did Ada Lovelace.
Science is a bigger fiercer country than you first pictured, darling Toast. A good deal of the freshest, funniest, most radical, most qualified Women In Science are of the invisible kind.
You’re not looking for Female Scientists, you’re looking for postdocs. This is totally fine! You are going to get some AMAZING PEOPLE who write like stars. I am EXCITED to hear their glorious thoughts and their marvelous sciences. However, please do be aware that selecting only postdocs does not necessarily mean that you are selecting from the creamiest cream of the crop of female science writers. You’re selecting from a very privileged few, and excluding some fantastic voices.
I want to hear those voices. Bring on the guest bloggers!
Hey, we’re pretty clear that we’re accepting and paying for science pieces from ALL female science writers, PhDs or not, we’re just choosing to hire a PhD for this particular position of Recurring Science Columnist, and we’re completely comfortable with that. I have already greenlighted pitches from a ton of female science writers who do not have PhDs, and will continue doing so. Come to us, all female science writers.
Is it only female science writers you want, or are female engineers also acceptable? I’m one of the latter.
Go nuts! Pitch us, please.
I am doubly unqualified for this because I’m still a grad student (chemistry) and have never written a blog post in my life, but I have a question for any lady (or not lady) scientists out there: I’m looking for excellent science-y blogs that maybe have some chemistry. Does anyone know of any awesome ones??
“Things I Won’t Work With” is fun, like this one: http://pipeline.corante.com/archives/2008/02/26/s…
you guys still open for apps? am a postdoc in bioengineering and would love to apply!
Email away! We’re doing this on a rolling basis.
The social sciences and “hard” sciences, although there’s a fair amount of overlap these days, are still pretty distinct. I assume you’re leaning towards the latter?
I’ll talk to my madam. She is a PhD in behavioral sciences… She might show interest….
Is it compensated?
It is!
Is it too late to submit an application? Given that this post is dated more than a year ago, I guess it probably is, but I thought I’d ask.
We are accepting and paying for one-off pieces and when we are all through with one-off pieces we will be looking for a perma-candidate!
Oh, cool. Expect a submission from me then. My field is pure mathematics, specifically certain topics in noncommutative ring theory.
Ha! I didn’t realize how old this post was, but I have tried to strong arm this astronomer iinto applying. She’s a swell talker, with a killer backstory, and she has ambitions of being a double threat in the Actual Scientist/Science Communicator category. I hope she also likes to write general interest!
Dammit, and here I am with only a B.S. in Archaeology and all this bitterness and snark with nowhere to put it (No I cannot put it into the ground, that is what uptight, no-fun people call ‘Contamination”. Psh, like I can’t make another, better square hole in the ground somewhere else….)
Sure! Absolutely!! Can you DM me on Twitter and I'll send you my contact details? Or just google Kirstie Whitaker – I think I'm near the top. It would be great to chat 🙂