Visual data Journalist – interactive and graphics specialist (6 month FTC) – The Sun

The Sun is the biggest news brand in the UK, publishing hundreds of stories a day and reaching more than 170 million unique digital users every month. Its exclusives set the news agenda and its campaigns have changed lives.

The Sun delivers news, entertainment and sports coverage to millions of readers every day. With a history spanning decades, it is committed to providing accurate, insightful and engaging content across print and digital platforms.

About the role

The Sun is looking for an experienced data journalist to join the team on a six-month fixed-term contract, producing high-impact visual journalism across its online platforms.

You will combine strong news judgement with advanced coding skills to build custom, dynamic interactives, ranging from fast-turnaround daily quizzes to major map-led visual features.

You will work between the news desk and technical teams, taking ownership of projects from raw data analysis through to front-end development.

Key responsibilities

• Pitch, design, code and deploy standalone digital features, dynamic quizzes, searchable databases and complex geospatial and map-based graphics.
• Work closely with senior editors and section heads to identify daily reporting that can be developed into prominent visual packages.
• Analyse complex datasets to identify strong, audience-focused stories and headlines optimised for online engagement.
• Work with the Core Tech team to design scalable data models and maintain efficient pipelines for live data feeds.
• Independently pitch data-driven stories, monitor breaking trends and produce rapid-response visual content to tight deadlines.

Essential criteria

• Front-end development: Fluency in HTML, CSS and JavaScript, alongside modern visualisation frameworks such as D3.js, Svelte, React, Leaflet or Mapbox.
• Data analysis: Expert knowledge of Python or R for scraping, cleaning, structuring and analysing large datasets.
• News judgement: A proven track record in a fast-paced newsroom, with the ability to translate complex data into clear and compelling digital journalism.
• User experience and interface design: A strong understanding of responsive design, accessibility standards and mobile-first user experience.
• Database management: Experience of querying structured query language (SQL) databases or working with representational state transfer application programming interfaces (REST APIs) to create dynamic graphic components.

How to apply

Please submit your CV alongside a portfolio or GitHub link featuring recent interactive work and data projects.

About News UK

News UK is one of the leading media businesses in the UK and Ireland. Its news brands include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, The Sun on Sunday and The TLS. Its national broadcast brands include talkSPORT, Times Radio and Virgin Radio UK, alongside local stations across Ireland.

Its brands provide news, analysis, opinion and entertainment to almost 40 million people each month across print, digital, audio, video, events and experiences.

News UK says it exists to promote a fair society, freedom of speech and a little bit of fun, while continuing to develop how it tells stories and reaches audiences.

Life at News UK

News UK aims to represent, reflect and reach the nation, telling the stories that matter and providing trusted information to its audiences.

The organisation is committed to reflecting the diversity of the people it reaches and creating a culture where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive.

News UK also supports employee-led networks that bring together colleagues with shared interests and experiences. These include the African and Caribbean Network, Parents and Carers, News Is Out and the Apprentice Society.

Benefits

Benefits include:

• Private medical insurance, including cover for pre-existing conditions.
• Discounted gym memberships, free ClassPass at Home and weekly in-person or virtual exercise classes.
• Bikes for Work and Electric Car schemes.
• Up to 60 per cent discount on HarperCollins books.
• Up to 18 weeks’ maternity leave at full basic salary and up to two weeks’ paternity leave.
• Access to exclusive events and competitions with brands including talkSPORT, Virgin Radio UK and The Times, alongside weekly virtual panel discussions with journalists and celebrities.
• Wellbeing benefits including an employee assistance programme (EAP), physiotherapy, massage and counselling.
• A pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 5 per cent.
• A range of training opportunities and full access to LinkedIn Learning.
• 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays.
• Up to three paid volunteering days a year to support causes you care about.

Inclusive recruitment

News UK is committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process. If you require reasonable adjustments because of a disability or health condition at any stage of your application or interview, contact careers@news.co.uk to discuss the support available.