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MIT Museum

MIT Museum Studio Assistant

Position Overview:

The MIT Museum Studio Assistant oversees the Studio facility including the gallery, teaching, and work spaces and provides project technical assistance to students working in the Studio in art / science projects, project design and fabrication, and exhibition design and installation. This position is hired on a term basis to coincide with the school calendar (typically September 1-August 31) with the possibility of extension.

A satellite of the MIT Museum, the MIT Museum Studio and Compton Gallery is located under MIT’s Great Dome, just off the Infinite Corridor (Building 10-150). The MIT Museum Studio fosters collaboration between experimental museum practices and MIT research and education, connecting MIT undergraduate and graduate students with the unique learning opportunities of the MIT Museum. The Studio develops innovative courses and projects with faculty and researchers across disciplines. Students draw on the MIT Museum’s rich resources—historical collections, interpretive galleries, staff knowledge and visitor feedback—as they pursue original technology projects for experimental exhibitions and programs at the Compton Gallery that advance the multimedia, multi-sensory learning environment of the MIT Museum.

The program has established itself as a feature in the cultural and educational landscape of MIT, with five core Museum functions:

  • Exploring technologies/expanding museum practices
  • Forging relationships and collaborations across campus, building student community and engagement
  • Providing a highly visible and accessible MIT showcase of teaching and learning, connecting the Museum at Kendall Square to the center of campus
  • Advancing the Museum’s role in MIT art-science collaborations.
  • Integrally tying the Museum into MIT’s core work of research and education by building intellectual context and community.

This is a part-time, 20 hour/week role.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Run and maintain the Studio teaching space, shop, and gallery, including installation and de-installation of exhibits (climbing ladders, running cables, hanging lighting, basic construction with hand and shop tools), and working with service vendors and MIT facilities, as required.
  • Oversee Studio materials and equipment inventory, restocking, resourcing and purchasing.
  • Provide technical instruction for students in basic mechanical design and construction including shop tool usage.
  • Support teaching, e.g., running media (projectors, displays, audio) for presentations, constructing props and demos for Studio demonstrations (e.g., topics on perception); assisting in workshops, running house lights, setting up and breaking down tables and equipment.
  • Other tasks as assigned, including those at a lower level if needed.

Supervision Received:

Reports to the MIT Museum Studio Senior Manager.

Supervision Exercised:

None but provides oversight and guidance to students.

Qualifications & Skills:

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience with studio, shop and/or museum technical abilities including physical construction, gallery installation, lighting, installation of audio and visual media. (portfolio requested: pdf or web).
  • Experience in art, design, and/or engineering project practices using standard fabrication
  • Comfortable operating hand and bench tools and becoming certified to train others to use these tools safely.
  • Previous instruction experience. Ability to communicate effectively and to support student technical learning and execution to realize projects in Studio.
  • Comfortable working independently and executing projects to a high level of finish with minimal oversight.
  • Ability to research materials, techniques, and suppliers

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
  • Experience with electronic prototyping (e.g., circuits, microprocessors, programmable LEDs, motor control), with demonstrated ability and interest to develop further skills on the job.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft suite and/or google equivalent (sheets, docs, drive, etc.).
  • Familiarity with Adobe Suite, especially Photoshop, Premiere, InDesgin or Illustrator.
  • Facility with 3D modeling software (software agnostic).
  • Familiarity working with a variety of methods and tools frequently used in rapid prototyping-(laser cutter, CNC, 3D printing; acrylic, abs, wood, aluminum, foam board, fabric, various adhesives).

This role is an MIT Pay Grade of 6. To apply please visit the MIT Career Portal.