NYSCI is seeking a Research Manager to support the cross-departmental collaborations involved in NYSCI’s innovative research and development work. The Research Manager will work closely with the Director of Creative Pedagogy to plan, coordinate, and document the development, design, testing, and implementation of new NYSCI educational assets focused on engaging diverse public audiences with emergent, high-interest topics in science and engineering. This role will include a strong focus on designing for cultural responsiveness and inclusiveness for NYSCI’s highly diverse audiences. The Research Manager will work with a variety of NYSCI staff across departments to coordinate the development of products including engineering activities, Maker Space workshops, career exploration events, public programming, and school curriculum. This position is an opportunity for an individual with some research, design, or education training to broaden their understanding of how high-quality informal STEM learning experiences are developed. The position requires curiosity, an interest in emerging topics in science and technology, and strong organizational, listening and writing skills.

The Research Manager will be a member of NYSCI's research and development team, within the Research, Exhibits and Programs department (REP). The R&D team creates and studies innovative and empowering pathways into STEM learning for people of all ages and backgrounds, through collaborative relationships with community members, designers, and educators. We investigate how children, youth, and adults use STEM as a tool to understand the world and create change in their communities, and seek to identify the qualities of learning experiences that are effective for diverse audiences and informal settings. Our goal is to develop evidence-based strategies that help all learners explore complex STEM ideas, build confidence with tools and materials, and see STEM as an integral part of everyday life.

REP also includes three other teams: Education Services, Exhibits, and the Alan J. Friedman Center for the Development of Young Scientists. These teams work in a variety of collaborative structures to study, create and implement high-quality, inclusive and innovative informal STEM learning experiences for our audiences.

With the support of the Director of Creative Pedagogy, the Research Manager will be responsible for maintaining the timeliness and efficiency of complex projects, fostering coordination and communication across project teams, and documenting project processes.

The Research Manager’s primary functions will include:

1. Project Management

a. Building and maintaining relationships with internal and external collaborators.
b. Establishing and maintaining systems for project documentation and collaboration.
c. Maintaining and communicating project timelines and deadlines.
d. Monitoring and documenting project progress.
e. Contributing to budget monitoring and reporting to funders.

2. Contributing to the research and development process

• With the Director of Creative Pedagogy, ensure coordination across multiple departments and components of a multi-part R&D project.
• Document design goals and curricular frameworks to guide project work and use them to structure project processes.
• Track on and share relevant external research and information about relevant emerging topics in science and technology to inform project work.
• Manage design and production of project deliverables, with the support of the Director.
• Support piloting and prototyping efforts as needed on the museum floor.

• Ensuring timeliness and efficiency of a large-cross-departmental collaborative project.
• Contributing to the team’s content knowledge regarding emerging topics in science and technology.
• Supporting clear communication and productive collaboration, across the project.
• Maintaining project documentation and managing production of project deliverables.

None.

This position requires an interest in complex engineering, technology and science topics, and in inclusive, creative approaches to informal STEM learning. Strong communication and writing skills and knowledge of standard tools for managing online project management and collaboration are also required.

Education: A BA is required; an MA in Museum Studies or another related field is not required but would be appropriate to the position.

Experience: A minimum of two years’ experience contributing to the development, design and/or conduct of STEM education programs or research is preferred. This may include field experience during graduate school. Prior experience in informal STEM education, research and development work focused on the study of learning, operational experience in science centers, or experience designing and developing educational media or curricula are all potentially relevant to this position.

• Experience working in teams with researchers, educators, and/or designers and developers to create STEM learning resources;

• Experience with project management and documentation;

• Commitment to the philosophy and mission of the New York Hall of Science;

• Ability to track on and guide the progress of a group to accomplish complex, multistage tasks;

• Strong communications skills with the ability to express ideas;

• Experience working with diverse teams of researchers and practitioners;

• Prior experience managing or coordinating different

• Evenings/Weekends: Ability and willingness to participate in events outside the workday schedule, including evenings and weekends.

These skills and experiences are desirable but not required.

• Experience managing different phases of print, media, or exhibit production process;

• Experience working in or studying relevant emerging science and technology fields, such as space science and artificial intelligence;

• Experience attending to issues of equity and inclusion in the context of research and development processes;

• Fluency in Spanish or Mandarin

Commensurate with education, skills and experience; salary range is $60,000 - $64,000.

NYSCI strives to be an inclusive and equitable place to work. We work to foster diverse 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 send a cover letter and resume to jobs@nysci.org. Please include the job title in the subject line. No phone calls.

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.

NYSCI is New York City's science center, a place where everyone is invited to explore how science and engineering shape our world, and how we can use scientific tools and ideas to answer questions and solve problems. Visitors pose questions, design solutions, explore phenomena, and work together to make amazing things happen.

Our exhibitions, programs, and products are informed by strategies of 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 inspire passionate STEM learners.