David McHam Fellowship for Investigative Reporting

Job Description

Named in honor of legendary journalism professor David McHam, this one-to-two-year fellowship allows experienced journalists to pursue investigative projects and enterprise stories about Texas politics, policy, and social issues. The fellow will be part of the Texas Observer staff, where they will collaborate with colleagues, benefit from professional development opportunities, and receive help with travel and reporting costs.  

The fellow will aim to produce 2-3 stories per month and may occasionally be asked to factcheck other investigations, though they will primarily focus on their own original reporting. The position starts as soon as possible, with flexibility for the right candidate. The fellow must be based in or be willing to move to Texas. Salary is $63,000+, depending on experience—with benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, a 401(k) with 3-percent employer match, and 20 days of PTO annually.

The preferred candidate for this opening will:

• speak Spanish and want to cover the border and immigration,
• have significant professional experience and/or a graduate journalism degree,
• already be based in or be familiar with Texas,
• plan to be based in Austin (where staff work a hybrid schedule) or a Texas border town.

Candidates who do not meet these preferred qualifications should still apply; we will make our decision based on the applicant pool, and it will be good to know of your interest in working for the Observer either way. 

To apply: email a résumé, your three best clips, and a cover letter explaining why you would fit the fellowship along with three briefly described ideas for investigative stories to jobs@texasobserver.org with the subject line: “2026 McHam Fellowship.” 

The deadline to apply is February 6, 2026.

About David McHam: David McHam inspired generations of journalists over his five decades as a professor at Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas at Arlington, and the University of Houston. He worked at The Waco News-Tribune, the Houston Post, and the Dallas Times Herald. A graduate of Baylor University and Columbia University’s School of Journalism, he was named outstanding journalism teacher in the nation by the Society of Professional Journalists in 1994.

Job Requirements

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