Salary:
Exempt (Salaried). Commensurate with experience.
Classification:
Grant-funded, full-time
Division:
Research & Evaluation / Strategic Initiatives
Description:
PROGRAM SUMMARY:
Since 2004, the Museum of Science, Boston has maintained a dedicated Research and Evaluation Department that studies museum visitors and professionals, specifically focusing on how they learn. This department measures the educational impact of the Museum’s various learning experiences (both those aimed at a professional and public audience), and advises project teams on ways they can incorporate visitor interests, needs, concerns and understanding into their decision-making through the effective use of existing literature and/or visitor research and evaluation studies. The Museum of Science Research and Evaluation Department consists of nine full-time staff members and two part-time staff members, making it one of the largest departments of its kind in the world. Collectively, these professionals have expertise in science education, museum education, museum studies, and special education.
Professionals in this department have experience conducting national studies and collaborating with other research and evaluation organizations, which results in the department having both broad reach and a leadership position within the museum field. The Museum of Science Research and Evaluation department currently oversees the evaluation of NISE Net, a Network of over 200 science museums and universities that is funded through two consecutive grants from the National Science Foundation that total over $40 million. In the past seven years, members of this department have made over 70 conference presentations, published over 25 journal articles, and have advised or conducted studies for dozens museums around the world. In addition, staff members hold leadership positions in key industry organizations, with the Director of the Research and Evaluation Department currently serving as the chair of the Committee on Audience Research and Evaluation for AAM and the instructor of Museum Evaluation at Tufts University. Other individuals in the department lead important efforts such as AAM’s Marketplace of Ideas for Evaluation and the prestigious Excellence in Exhibitions Competition.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Research/Evaluation Associate will work with the Project Manager and Director of Research and Evaluation to plan and oversee the research and evaluation efforts. This will include the development of timelines, instruments, pilot testing, analysis, and reporting for the evaluation and research of educational and visitor service programs at the Museum of Science.
Responsibilities
– Work with 4-6 research/evaluation projects (except when they are very large). Oversee any research assistants and/or data collectors who are involved with the project.
Minimum Qualifications:
* Master’s degree or higher preferred.
* More than three (3) years of research experience.
Special Notes:
Benefits for full-time, exempt (salaried) staff include: free parking, T accessibility, 23 vacation days, 12 holidays, 5-10 sick days, medical and dental insurance, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, retirement and savings plan, health care/dependent care flex spending plan, employee discounts, employee referral program, tuition assistance, professional development, direct deposit, free admission, free Duck Tours, discounted movie passes, and much more!
