Research and Development Assistant
About The Position
The Research and Development Assistant joins NYSCI’s Research & Development team, which collaborates across departments—including with STEM educators, exhibit designers, and program developers—to develop and study strategies that support STEM learning for people of all ages and backgrounds. The team works with community members such as caregivers, families, youth, teachers, and school leaders to create relevant and engaging learning experiences. With supervision and mentorship from the AVP of Informal Learning Research and a full-time Research Associate, the Assistant supports research and evaluation projects related to museum activities, exhibits, youth development programs, and school partnerships. The position offers a recent graduate the opportunity to build skills in conducting research and evaluation in real-world environments, analyzing data and translating findings for creative teams, and contributing to the iterative development of audience engagement strategies. The position is full-time and regular, with a Monday–Friday schedule of 9 am–5 pm. The work location is hybrid. The role may require attending events or programs in the evenings or on weekends to complete project tasks.
Requirements
- BA/BS in psychology, education, museum studies, or a related field, and/or equivalent work experience.
- At least 1 year of relevant work experience, which may include undergraduate work or research projects.
- Experience conducting research with human subjects, including informed consent procedures and ethical guidelines for handling data.
- Experience collaborating with project teams, especially multidisciplinary teams or collaborations with educators or community members.
- Some knowledge of social science research methodologies.
- Ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely in person and in writing.
- Ability to plan and organize research tasks to meet deadlines.
Nice To Haves
- Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, or another non-English language.
- Prior work experience in an educational or cultural institution.
- Familiarity with literature on informal learning, STEM learning, and/or family learning.
- Experience working with Spanish- or Mandarin-speaking audiences.
Responsibilities
- Gather surveys, interview data, and observations of exhibits and programs involving children, teens, and adults.
- Enter, track, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data, including attendance numbers and exit surveys.
- Assist in playtesting and prototyping new STEM experiences for diverse audiences.
- Support museum facilitators in gathering audience feedback in programs and exhibits.
- Write findings for internal use and contribute to broader publication and dissemination efforts.
- Contribute to literature reviews supporting the development of new learning experiences and audience engagement strategies.
- Coordinate scheduling of meetings with research staff and cross-departmental project teams.
- Attend events or programs in the evenings or on weekends as required to complete project tasks.
- Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare, dependent care, and commuter benefits.
- Pension plan and 401(k) plan.
- Free life insurance coverage.
- Paid vacation and sick leave.
- 13 paid holidays off.
- Flexible work schedules.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Free onsite parking.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
