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Posted: January 21, 2015

Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation

Full-time, Experienced

Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History

Education Required: Masters

Washington DC, USA

Education Preferred: PhD

Description:
The Lemelson Center seeks a new Director who will lead historical scholarship, exhibitions, and programmatic initiatives. The Director will guide the Center as a distinguished expert on the history of invention and innovation, and serve as the champion for the Center's educational outreach effort. This is an opportunity to lead a motivated staff and fulfill the Center's strategic mission, drawing on consistent, protected funding from the current Lemelson endowment.

The ideal candidate must be passionate about the history of invention, its relevance to modern innovation and historical scholarship. S/he is an interdisciplinary interpreter, teacher and storyteller who can inspire diverse audiences, create interest in the Center's content and, through strategic programming, inspire young and old to explore their innate inventiveness.

Educational Requirements:
An advanced degree is required, and a Ph.D. is preferred.

Skills:
Candidates should bring a discipline for strategic content and operations planning, taking into consideration revenue generation, staff planning, on-site and traveling exhibits, curatorial partnerships and published research.

Candidates must have a compelling background that demonstrates relevant professional and/or academic experience in the history of invention, technology, entrepreneurship and innovation. Experience in a museum and curatorial setting is not required. However, exposure through board, consultation or advisory experience is desirable. We are also open to non-traditional candidates that might come from industry, academia, or other fields.

Application Instructions:
Please submit your resume to http://candidates.waldronhr.com and include a cover letter that describes how your skill set and background aligns with the demands of the position. Letters should be addressed to Tom Waldron.

Museum Website: http://invention.si.edu/

About the Organization:
One of America's most prolific inventors, Jerome Lemelson believed that invention and innovation play a critical role in shaping our future. Jerome and his wife Dorothy Lemelson made a generous donation to establish the Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Within the Smithsonian Institution, the Lemelson Center is distinguished as the hub for testing bold, new ideas, and stepping beyond traditional boundaries.