Research & Science Communication Assistant

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.

Why We Need You
The Research and Science Communication Assistant (RSCA) will work closely with small teams of peers, under mentorship from Museum staff and invited external STEM experts, to engage visitors in learning about current science topics as part of their museum visit. The RSCA will complete training in science education strategies, science communication practices, and Museum evaluation methods. They will learn skills related to developing novel Museum experiences, including those needed to review and interpret information from scientific literature, translate complex science concepts into meaningful experiences for the public, and collect and analyze data from Museum visitors. The RSCA will gain practical experience in delivering engaging learning experiences for Museum visitors, by developing and prototyping educational products such as hands-on activities, exhibit components, and visitor handouts, as well as facilitating small group activities for families in the exhibit halls.  This position requires a commitment of 3 days/week during summer (mid-June to late August), and 1 day/week during the academic year (September to June).

Please note: Applicants to this position must be between the ages of 14-19, and actively enrolled in high school or an equivalent program. 

What You’ll Accomplish
1. Develop and maintain familiarity with best practices for science education, science communication, and science research, with a focus on those that support visitors’ science learning in Museums
2. Support the development of novel educational products (e.g., visitor handouts, hands-on activities, exhibit components), by reading and summarizing scientific literature, sourcing educational media, assisting in storyboarding and drafting educational content for diverse Museum audiences, and developing prototype experiences for testing
3. Contribute to the delivery of high-quality STEM learning experiences in the Museum, by facilitating activities for visitors across a range of topics (e.g. through hands-on activities, demonstrations, presentations) and providing logistical support (e.g. helping maintain exhibit spaces, documenting activities, assisting with materials management).
4. Assist in ongoing Museum evaluation projects by recruiting Museum visitors to test new educational offerings, collecting data on visitor feedback and behaviors, and discussing study methods and findings with Museum evaluators
5. Perform other work related duties as required by Manager.

What We’re Looking For (Competencies)
Curiosity & Learning: Demonstrated interest in science communication, science education, and/or science research 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: 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 contributing to a team.
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.

Special Skills:
Demonstrated familiarity with informal science education practices
Spanish language skills (written and/or verbal)


Work Schedule:
Summer (Mid-June through August): 21 hours/week (three 7-hour shifts, 9am – 5pm). One of the days must be a weekend day. Research and Science Communication Assistants have a one-hour, unpaid lunch break each day.
Fall/Spring (September through May): 8 hours/week (one 7-hour shift, 9am-5pm), on a Saturday or Sunday, plus 1 hour on a weekday (remote).


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