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Living Laboratory Mentor Internship

Boston, MA

Museum of Science, Boston

www.mos.org

Innovation and creativity come from the unique perspectives of a diverse staff. We value your perspective.

 

Who We Are 

As science and technology increasingly shape our lives, the Museum of Science strives to equip and inspire everyone to use science for the global good while keeping up with the pace of change.   Among the world’s largest science centers and New England’s most attended cultural institution, we engage nearly five million people a year – at Science Park and in museums around the world, in classrooms, and online. 

 

The Museum’s singular location connecting Boston and Cambridge puts us at the junction of some of the world’s most influential academic institutions and industries, local and state government, schools, and the public. Trusted by each sector, we are ideally positioned to convene, inspire, and create meaningful experiences for all.  Come join us on our mission to inspire a lifelong love of science in everyone and living our vision for a world where science belongs to each of us for the good of all of us. 

 

Position Description 

The Living Laboratory Mentor Internship provides training and practical experience in science communication, science education, and mentorship skills. Interns will assist in the day-to-day operations of the Museum’s Living Laboratory program, in which museum staff collaborate with scientists from across Greater Boston to offer museum guests the opportunity to participate in cognitive and behavioral science research studies as part of their museum visit. Through Living Laboratory, the department offers professional development that supports our research collaborators to communicate their research methods and findings to the public in effective and meaningful ways.  

 

The intern will interface directly with the Museum’s external research partners, mentoring novice science researchers in science communication practices, providing logistical support to researchers working on-site, and developing educational materials that describe the questions and methods of current research studies for the public. Additionally, the intern will work closely with a team of research, development, evaluation, and education professionals to support the development and testing of novel Museum experiences (e.g. exhibits, programs, digital offerings). They will also assist full-time staff to provide training and mentorship to high school students (youth staff and interns) working in the department. 

 

What You’ll Accomplish 

  • Assist with the integration of human subjects research in the Museum experience by engaging in daily conversations with Living Laboratory research volunteers, developing educational materials (e.g., handouts describing research studies), and providing logistical support (e.g., maintaining spaces, tracking engagement data).  
  • Assist full-time staff to provide training in science research and communication practices to youth staff and interns, under mentorship from staff in Exhibits, Research, and Collections  
  • Learn and practice skills needed to conduct evaluation of novel Museum experiences, which may include recruiting and collecting data from Museum visitors, analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, and drafting reports of findings. 
  • Learn and practice skills needed to develop novel Museum experiences, which may include researching science topics; drafting storyboards, scripts, or exhibit text; prototyping and iterating on hands-on interactives; and documenting development processes 

 

What We’re Looking For 

  • Curiosity & Learning: Demonstrated interest and experience in science research, science communication, and/or science education practice. Open to learning new skills and applying them to the development and evaluation of Museum experiences. 
  • Communication: Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal). Maintains high standards for proactive and consistent communication with colleagues and mentors.  
  • Collaboration and Mentorship: Able to work both independently and in a dynamic group setting that requires collaboration with diverse members of the Museum’s Exhibits, Research, and Collections team. Demonstrated experience acting as a leader or mentor for near-peers.  
  • Commitment to Museum Values: Demonstrated interest in supporting the development and evaluation of experiences that promote diversity, equity, accessibility, inclusion, and belonging.  
  • Detail-oriented: Demonstrated ability to manage tasks with both accuracy and thoroughness. Able to organize and track responsibilities effectively, ensuring consistency and quality in work. 

 

 

When/Where You’ll Work 

  • Work Schedule: 14 hours/week (2 days, 9am-5pm). One of the days must be a weekend day (Saturday or Sunday).  Interns have a one-hour, unpaid lunch break each day.  

 

How We Work-Our Values 

Everyone: We are everyone’s museum.  We pursue equity and celebrate every person for who they are.  We foster an inclusive environment in which we value and respect diversity. 

Service: We serve our colleagues and community.  We hold ourselves accountable to be a trustworthy public resource, and to support a sustainable, just and evidence-based future.  

Learning: We love learning.  We are curious about the world and want to share our joy and wonder with others.  We value open minds and recognize that everyone has more to explore, discover and create. 

Connection: We find strength in connections.  We collaborate across communities, organizations and disciplines to make science relevant and accessible to all. 

Boldness: We dream big.  We boldly push ourselves forward, pursuing new ideas and challenges.  We experiment and learn from our failures as we seek to inspire purpose, spark imagination and encourage hope. 

 

Application Timeline 

  • Applications close as early as August 15th  
  • Anticipated orientation: Saturday, September 20th 

Salary Range

$15.25 - $15.25 USD

 
The Museum of Science is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.

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