Director [Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation]

The Opportunity

The Lemelson Center seeks a new Director who will lead historical scholarship, exhibitions, and programmatic initiatives. The Director will guide the Center as a distinguished expert on the history of invention and innovation, and serves as the champion for the Center’s educational outreach effort. This is an opportunity to lead a motivated staff and fulfill the Center’s strategic mission, drawing on consistent, protected funding from the current Lemelson endowment.

The ideal candidate must be passionate about the history of invention, its relevance to modern innovation and historical scholarship. S/he is an interdisciplinary interpreter, teacher and storyteller who can inspire diverse audiences, create interest in the Center’s content and, through strategic programming, inspire young and old to explore their innate inventiveness.

To learn more, please see the detailed position profile here.

About the Organization

One of America’s most prolific inventors, Jerome Lemelson believed that invention and innovation play a critical role in shaping our future. Jerome and his wife Dorothy Lemelson made a generous donation to establish the Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. Within the Smithsonian Institution, the Lemelson Center is distinguished as the hub for testing bold, new ideas, and stepping beyond traditional boundaries.

Learn more about the Lemelson Center, previous events, research, publications, exhibits and programming on the Center’s website.

Desired Skills and Experience

Experience in a museum and curatorial setting is not required. However, exposure through board, consultation or advisory experience is desirable. We are also open to non-traditional candidates that might come from industry, academia, or other fields. An advanced degree is required, and a Ph.D. is preferred.

To Be Considered

Please submit your resume to http://candidates.waldronhr.com.  In your application please include a cover letter that describes how your skill set and background aligns with the demands of the position. Letters should be addressed to Tom Waldron.