Research Assistant

The Maine Math & Science Alliance (MMSA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that finds inspiring new ways to get people excited about science, technology, engineering and math today, so that our youth can become the innovators and workforce of tomorrow. MMSA supports educators to teach science, technology, engineering and math in more meaningful ways by: 

1. Developing professional development experiences for K-12 educators
2. Conducting research and evaluation of STEM learning experiences
3. Building relationships and networks to sustain systemic statewide improvement

Position Title: Research Assistant

FTE: 100% 

Qualifications and Selection Criteria
Required: 

• BA/BS in any field is required
• Demonstrated ability to manage and manipulate databases and spreadsheets
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analyses
• Capacity to listen carefully and ask clarifying questions
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to think analytically and with attention to detail
• Capable of working independently and remotely
• Ability to work with project management software such as Microsoft Excel and Word; cloud-based systems such as box.com, Google drive, and airtable; and our video conferencing application Zoom
• Preference given to individuals with experience in environmental and/or STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education

Purpose of the Position

The Research Assistant will work closely with the WeatherBlur team and on projects related to advancing the Community-Based Environmental Learning (CBEL) field across the state. The WeatherBlur citizen science program builds collaboration online and on-the-ground between youth, their local communities, and scientists as they design and lead scientific investigations about the natural world around them to answer community questions. MMSA has also been deeply involved in collaborating with other statewide organizations (Maine Environmental Education Association and Nature Based Education Consortium) to research and build capacity for the Community-Based Environmental Learning field across the state of Maine. Over the next year, this initiative will build on the research findings of Maine’s first statewide environmental education census and activate an existing and growing diverse statewide consortium toward a vision of systemic change where all Maine students are given the opportunity to become environmentally literate, civically engaged, and understand how their health is connected to that of the natural world.

Research Assistant will support these projects as an essential team member. This person will provide support to the WeatherBlur project by assisting with instrument development, survey administration and interviews, data management, and data analysis. This person will also lend capacity to the CBEL in Maine initiative by collecting data from statewide listening sessions about environmental education and supporting convenings around shared evaluation and professional development.

 The Research Assistant will: 

• Work with MMSA staff to create and refine appropriate data-collection tools.
• Conduct interviews with youth and adults, by phone, online, and in person;
• Take detailed notes and ask clarifying questions where needed;
• Code, organize, and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data;
• Contribute to the designing and refining of survey, interview, and observation instruments.
• Write and edit reports;
• Create and maintain data-storage and documentation systems; and,
• Other duties as assigned.

The Research Assistant will be expected to attend at least weekly team meetings at the MMSA offices in person and will be expected to travel occasionally (including rare overnights) to collect data at locations elsewhere in Maine or nationally (with travel expenses paid by MMSA). They will be able to work from home for part of their time, if desired.

Please send a letter of interest, resume and three academic or professional references by email to  HR@mmsa.org or by regular mail to Human Resource Director, 219 Capitol Street, Augusta, ME  04330.  Materials should be submitted by Friday December 20, 2019 to ensure full consideration.