Position Title
Rate of Pay
Research and Development Assistant
$55,000 – $58,000
Department
Work Location
Research and Development
Hybrid
Reports to
Work Schedule
AVP of Informal Learning Research
Monday – Friday (9 am – 5 pm)
FLSA Status
Position Classification
Non-Exempt
Full-Time, Regular, Non-Supervisory
Since its founding at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) has inspired millions of people — children, teachers, and families — by offering innovative, participatory ways to learn and encouraging people to explore their curiosity and nurture their creativity. Located in Queens, the most ethnically diverse county in the country, NYSCI welcomes 400,000 visitors each year and serves thousands more through outreach in schools, teacher professional development, and participation in a variety of public events and research initiatives.
NYSCI is a leader in the science museum field, recognized for its highly regarded exhibitions, programs, and products, all of which are informed by our inclusive, research-derived approach to STEM learning and engagement called Design, Make, Play. The defining characteristics of Design, Make, Play — open-ended exploration, imaginative learning, personal relevance, deep engagement and delight — are the ingredients that invite broad participation in STEM and make engagement and learning irresistible. Through this transformative model for STEM exploration, NYSCI engages a broad community of learners in STEM by fostering the excitement of self-directed exploration and by tapping into the joy of learning intrinsic in young people’s play. NYSCI has approximately 102 full-time and over 150 part-time and casual staff members.
POSITION OVERVIEWThe Research and Development Assistant will join the Research & Development team at NYSCI. This team works closely with staff across departments, including STEM educators, exhibit designers, and program developers, to develop and study empowering strategies for supporting STEM learning for people of all ages and backgrounds. Projects bring together individuals with a wide range of perspectives and areas of expertise to identify shared questions and develop learning experiences that help all learners explore complex STEM ideas, build confidence with tools, materials, and practices, and see STEM as an integral part of everyday life. Much of this work involves collaborations with local community members, including caregivers, families, youth, teachers, and school leaders, to develop learning experiences that are relevant and engaging to the broad audiences we aspire to reach.The Research and Development Assistant role provides an opportunity for a recent graduate to develop skills conducting research and evaluation to understand how people learn in real-world environments; analyzing data and translating findings to inform decisions made by creative teams; and contributing to the iterative development of audience engagement strategies. With supervision and mentorship from the AVP of Informal Learning Research and a full-time Research Associate, the Research and Development Assistant will support research and evaluation projects that pertain to museum activities, exhibits, youth development programs, and school partnerships. The ideal candidate will have experience working with collaborative teams, familiarity with literature on informal learning, STEM learning, and/or family learning, and some experience with social science research methodologies such as survey research, ethnography, or the assessment of learning. Experience working with Spanish- or Mandarin-speaking audiences is particularly desirable but not required.PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES- Gather surveys, interview data, and observations of exhibits and programs with audiences of children, teens, and adults
- Enter, track, and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data, including attendance numbers and exit surveys;
- Assist in playtesting and prototyping of new STEM experiences for diverse audiences;
- Support museum facilitators in gathering audience feedback in their programs/exhibits;
- Write up findings for use internally, and contribute to broader publication and dissemination efforts;
- Contribute to literature reviews to support the development of new learning experiences and audience engagement strategies;
- Coordinate scheduling of meetings with research staff and cross-departmental project teams;
- Attend events/programs in the evenings or on weekends, as required to complete project tasks.
- Other related duties and responsibilities, as assigned
- BA/BS in psychology, education, museum studies, or related fields, and/or equivalent work experience
- 1+ year of relevant work experience, which could include undergraduate work or research projects
- Prior experience conducting research with human subjects, including informed consent procedures and ethical guidelines for handling data
- Prior experience collaborating with project teams, especially multidisciplinary teams or collaborations with educators or community members
- Some knowledge of social science research methodologies
- Demonstrated ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely in person and in writing
- Demonstrated ability to plan and organize research tasks to meet deadlines
- Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, or another non-English language is preferred but not required.
- Prior work experience in an educational or cultural institution is preferred but not required.
NYSCI strives to be an inclusive place to work. We work to foster multiple voices and perspectives, empower staff as problem solvers, and support professional growth for all.
The New York Hall of Science also offers generous benefits and perks for all regular full-time employees. These currently include:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance options
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare, dependent care, and commuter benefits
- Pension plan and 401k plan
- Free life insurance coverage
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 13 paid holidays off
- Flexible work schedules
- Employee Assistance Program
- Free onsite parking
Please upload your resume and cover letter through our online careers page.
Please note that while careful consideration will be given to each submission, the Museum will contact only those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and work experience best fit the requirements of the position.
Interview Process
- Introductory phone interview
- Virtual interview with Hiring Committee
- Final round on-site interview
Application Deadline:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
No recruiters, phone calls, or faxes, please.
The New York Hall of Science is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and innovative environment with the best employees. We provide employment opportunities without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military service, marital status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. We support a drug-free workplace.
If there are preparations we can make to help ensure you have a comfortable and positive interview experience, please let us know.
We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.
New York Hall of Science Corona, New York, USA Office
Corona, NY, United States
New York Hall of Science New York, New York, USA Office
New York, United States
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