Senior Researcher, Biology

at  Exploratorium

SUMMARY

The Science, Research & Development group inspires and engages diverse audiences, providing content knowledge for the purposes of education, leading exhibit and program development, consulting with organizational partners, and representing the Exploratorium’s work to our professional community. Science R&D provides both deep knowledge of specific content areas and foundational expertise in the Exploratorium’s pedagogy and learning design principles, in order to shape the Exploratorium science program and develop projects that continually innovate the experiences on our Museum floor and maintain our leadership within the informal science learning professional field.
The Senior Researcher, Biology, will be responsible for spearheading research and development efforts to create captivating, scientifically accurate visitor experiences within the department. The Senior Researcher, Biology is expected to present R&D findings at conferences and other professional meetings and lead the development and writing of R&D project proposals. This position reports to the Senior Director of Science, Research & Development.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctoral degree in life sciences, with a degree in molecular, cell and developmental biology, microbiology, bioengineering or related field
• Demonstrated proficiency in biological experimentation, live specimen handling and analysis in a laboratory environment
• Minimum one year supervision experience
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with or leading project teams
• Excellent communications and collaboration skills
• Excellent analytical abilities
• Demonstrated writing skills, preferably in published form
• Experience with writing and/or contributing to grant proposals

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with live cell imaging, automated microscopy and/or machine learning
• Experience working on interdisciplinary R&D teams

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Work with project leadership to develop project and department R&D goals; represent R&D work and findings in project planning
• Where appropriate, lead, design, oversee and implement R&D efforts in biological sciences for designated projects, programs and initiatives
• Develop and implement experiments and laboratory protocols for projects, programs and initiatives, while also training and supervising staff and volunteers to perform developed experiments and protocols
• Act as a principal liaison between the Exploratorium and outside scientific collaborators and consultants
• Oversee the documentation of, and where appropriate, document project process and results, including the creation of written reports, protocols, and journal articles
• Represent the Exploratorium and present R&D findings and practices at conferences and other professional meetings
• Lead the development and writing of project proposals; engage in grant writing and stewardship in partnership with the Institutional Advancement Team
• Additional duties as assigned

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Able to move from place to place and utilize computer terminal and general office equipment; lift and carry 15 pounds short distances
• Ability to travel and willingness to travel nationally and internationally to attend meetings, facilitate workshops, and present at conferences
• Ability to participate in Exploratorium programs and events that may occur outside of normal working hour