Research & Evaluation Associate

　　Museum of Science, Boston

　　www.mos.org

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

　　SUMMARY STATEMENT:

　　The Research & Evaluation Associate will work as a collaborative member of the Research & Evaluation Department to lead and conduct research and evaluation studies on the educational and visitor services programs of the Museum of Science and its collaborative projects, particularly those focused on informal education settings, under the direction of the Director, Research and Evaluation. This work will include planning research and evaluation studies, developing and piloting instruments, collecting and overseeing collection of data, analyzing data, and reporting as well as supporting project teams in understanding and incorporating research and evaluation study findings and audience interests into their work.

　　RESPONSIBILITIES:

　　Lead or contribute to evaluation and research studies about learning and user experiences, under the direction of the Director of research and Evaluation, to generate new understandings and knowledge for the Museum of Science and the informal science education field. This includes developing study plans and timelines, overseeing other staff members working on the study, and preparing materials for the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

　　Develop and pilot test study data collection instruments (surveys, interviews, observation protocols, etc.), and collect data or oversee the collection of data that support answering research and evaluation study questions.

　　Analyze data using quantitative (descriptive and inferential statistics) and qualitative methods (inductive and deductive coding) to answer study questions.

　　Create written reports, data visualizations, presentations, and journal articles, as appropriate for the project, to communicate the findings of studies to the project teams, the Museum, and the broader informal science education field.

　　Serve as a member of various internal and external project teams sharing information from research and evaluation studies conducted at the Museum of Science and by the wider informal science education field to ensure the representation of audience interests.

　　Support and cultivate relationships with internal and external project partners to ensure that their questions and concerns are addressed as a part of research and evaluation studies, and that they are aware of the research parameters.

　　Contribute to an ongoing pool of research & evaluation knowledge about learning, particularly in museums and informal settings, by participating in professional development, researching and reading related studies, and writing literature reviews / annotated bibliographies related to specific topics to support the learning of the Research and Evaluation Department and project teams.

　　Develop and lead professional development sessions for R&E and other museum staff members to build evaluation capacity within the Museum and broader informal education field.

　　Advance the Museum's commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion by contributing to the application of research and evaluation approaches that are culturally responsive, centering an equity-focused perspective, and working to diversify the involvement of people who have historically been marginalized by STEM, as appropriate for given projects.

　　Perform other work-related duties as required by Manager.

　　WORK SCHEDULE:

　　This position is Hybrid, Full-Time, 40 hours/week. Regularly Monday- Friday but weekends may be required as needed.

　　REPORTS TO:

　　Director, Research & Evaluation

　　MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

　　Experience in conducting research and evaluation studies.

　　Demonstrated understanding of the conceptual and theoretical issues that underlie research and evaluation, particularly in education.

　　Demonstrated project and data management skills, such as tracking data collection and organizing collected data.

　　Demonstrated communication skills, both verbal and written.

　　Demonstrated experience with qualitative and quantitative analysis, such as inductive and deductive coding and calculating descriptive and inferential statistics.

　　Demonstrated experience with data collection methods with human subjects such as interviews, focus groups, survey administration, and/or structured observations.

　　Ability to work independently and collaboratively, in a hybrid setting.

　　STARTING SALARY:

　　Exempt (Salaried). $45,000-48,000/year (Grant -Funded)

　　BENEFITS:

　　Benefits for full-time, exempt (salaried) staff include free parking, T accessibility, 23 vacation days, 12 holidays, 10 sick days, medical, dental, and vision 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!

　　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.

　　No phone inquiries, please. Qualified applicants will be contacted within two to four weeks of initial application.