Position Overview:

The MIT Museum Studio Technical Assistant oversees the Studio facility including the gallery, work and teaching spaces and provides project technical advice, assistance, and mentorship to students working in the Studio in areas of art and engineering collaboration, project design and engineering, 3D modeling software, rapid prototyping tools and fabrication, exhibition design and installation. This position is hired on a term basis to coincide with the school calendar (i. e: September 1-August 31) with the possibility of extension.

The MIT Museum Studio fosters collaboration between experimental museum practice 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 ComptonGallery (Building 10-150) and to advance the multi-sensory learning environment of the MITMuseum.

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. 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 to the center of campus;
• Advancing the Museum’s role in MIT art-science collaboration; and,
• Integrally tying the Museum into MIT’s core work of research and education by building intellectual context and community for shared objectives and ongoing collaborations across disciplines.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Responsible for technical design and construction of innovative and adaptive prototypes for Studio teaching, demonstrations, sensory experiences, and exhibitions, based on requirements and objectives defined by the Studio Director.

• Technical support of student projects, teaching, and Studio research projects

• Provide technical instruction for students in project engineering, electronics, audio and visual media, mechanical design, and shop tool usage through informal learning environments or one-on-one coaching.

• Oversee Studio materials and equipment inventory, restocking, resourcing and purchasing; setting up accounts with vendors; using MIT’s purchasing system, managing receipts and accounting reports with the Museum’s financial office.

• Running and maintaining the Studio work areas: teaching space, electronics area, shop and=gallery, including installation and de-installation of exhibits (navigating ladders, running cables, hanging lighting, building pedestals or similar wood construction with hand power tools), working with service vendors, and MIT facilities, as required.

• Support teaching, e.g., running media (projectors, displays, audio) for presentations, constructing properties for Studio demonstrations (e.g., topics on perception); assisting in demonstrations and workshops, handling equipment, running house lights, setting up and breaking down tables, equipment, supplies.

• Support Studio communications with production of image and video files for e. g., electronic graphics shown in the workspace and gallery, Museum website updates, exhibit and program announcements.

• Manage and use Studio online system for Studio operations, communications, and projects documentation.

• Takes on special projects and other duties, as assigned.

Supervision Received: Supervision is provided by the Museum Studio Director; position requires ability to perform with minimal supervision.

Supervision Exercised:

None

Qualifications & Skills:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and three years’ experience in a museum or related setting.
  
• Demonstrated studio, shop and/or museum technical abilities including physical construction, gallery installation, lighting, installation of audio and visual media. (Portfolio requested: please upload a PDF with your cover letter or provide a web link.)

• Experience in art, design, and/or engineering project practices. fabrication and electronics tools and incorporating electronics, open-source software
• Experience with electronic prototyping (e.g., circuits, microprocessors, programmable LEDs, motor control), with demonstrated ability and interest to develop further skills on the job.

• 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 students’ technical learning and project execution within the Studio is essential.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with Microsoft suite and/or google equivalent (sheets, docs, drive, etc.)

• Familiarity with Adobe Suite, especially Photoshop, Premiere, InDesign or Illustrator

• Facility with 3D modeling software (software agnostic)

• Familiarity working with a variety of materials and equipment frequently used in rapid prototyping (laser cutter, CNC, 3D printing; acrylic, abs, wood, aluminum, foam board, fabric, various adhesives)

• Ability to research materials, techniques, and suppliers

• Experience in record-keeping, reporting, and photo and video documenting

• Comfortable working independently and executing projects to a high level of finish with minimal oversight.

This position is an MIT Pay Scale of 6. To apply please visit the MIT Career Portal.