Director of Research and Science Education

~ Phipps
Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, a
historic glasshouse and public garden in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been
inviting visitors to discover and enjoy the natural world since 1893. ~

In recent
years, Phipps has transformed into one of the world’s greenest public gardens,
serving as a model of sustainability for the next century and expanding its
campus to include the first LEED certified visitor’s center in a public
garden; the first LEED certified greenhouse (LEED Platinum EBOM); a revolutionary, energy efficient Tropical Forest
Conservatory; and the Center for Sustainable Landscapes,
a net-zero energy and water building that is the first in the world to meet
four of the highest green building standards: the Living Building Challenge, LEED Platinum, Four
Stars Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES), and Platinum WELL Building certifications.

Through a dynamic slate of science education programs and outreach initiatives
targeted to all ages and demographics, Phipps inspires and engages people to
recognize the beauty, wonder and irreplaceable value of the natural world. In all its services to the public, Phipps
upholds a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of
plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental
well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic
glasshouse. 

Position Overview

Phipps seeks a Director of
Research and Science Education to develop and oversee all research, science education and science communication
programs at Phipps. The Director
of Research and Science Education will lead in the development of the Phipps
Research Institute for Biophilia and Science Engagement. 

Responsibilities 

Phipps
Research Institute for Biophilia and Science Engagement will focus on the
following areas: 

Research: 

• Focus on cutting-edge on original research in
  the fields of human health and wellness, ecological health and wellness,
  education and social justice, and communication and outreach.
• Conduct and publish original research on biophilia
  and human and ecological wellness, particularly at the intersection of the
  built environment and nature.
• Conduct and publish on original research in
  environmental psychology or in a related area relevant to Phipps.
• Increase the number of relationships and
  collaborative efforts with research scientists in sustainability, conservation,
  education, public health and psychology.
• Position Botany in Action as a national
  model for research and science
  communication.
• Explore and enhance opportunities for
  collaborative activities and partnerships with local academic and medical
  communities.
• Foster associations with professional and
  amateur botanical communities on regional, national and international levels. 
• Lead and promote research to bring the science
  of nature to individuals of all education levels, with a strong emphasis on
  children.
• Advise and facilitate development of research
  programs at the Center for Sustainable Landscapes.
• Emphasis will be placed on the continuation of
  research collaborations now underway with local universities and organizations.

Science Education:  

• Use the botanic garden, historic and modern
  structures, and other informal learning venues to enhance knowledge and
  understanding of the intersection of the built and natural environments and its
  effect on human and environmental health and well-being, and to increase
  community engagement in these areas.
• Incorporate social science research practices
  into science education programming, in order to evaluate program impact on
  learning and behavior, and, based on this evaluation, further improve and
  expand these programs and share results in the field.
• Build the Botany in Action program as a national
  model for research and science communication with the public.
• Increase the number of relationships and
  collaborative efforts with research scientists in such areas as sustainability,
  conservation, education, public health and psychology, including publications,
  presentations, on-site research projects, and advisory activities.
• Create original, research-based sustainability
  and environmental education programs for children, families and communities,
  connecting them to nature, promoting healthy and sustainable lifestyles, and
  increasing knowledge and awareness of science and the environment.
• Incorporate science education into all
  interpretation and programming.
• Build cutting-edge programming in science and
  environmental education focused on using the botanic garden and other informal
  learning venues as platforms for imparting knowledge and inspiring behavior
  change.
• Incorporate social science research practices
  into science education programming in order to evaluate its impact on learning
  and behavior.  Based on this evaluation,
  further improve, expand and develop these programs and share results in the
  field.
• Position Phipps as one of the premier
  organizations in the United States for children, connecting them to nature and
  fostering an appreciation of science and the environment.  An example of some of our current programs:

1. The Fairchild Challenge
2. High
   School Internship for Under-Resourced Youth
3. Green and Growing
4. Youth
   Seasonal Camps  

Other: 

• Pursue funding from governmental agencies and
  national and local foundations which support innovative and creatively
  integrated research and science and community engagement programming.
• Assist and collaborate with all departments at
  Phipps in all areas of Phipps’ activities, with a particular emphasis on
  education, evaluation, interpretation, messaging and research.
• Develop and oversee programs designed to
  teach scientists on how to communicate to the public.
• Help write grants and solicit funding to
  support Phipps’ research and discovery-based education.
• Serve as spokesperson and advocate of
  science education programs and research on regional, national and international
  levels.
• Assist with the development and growth of
  the Biophilia Network.  

Qualifications & Education  

• Ph.D. in environmental education, eco or environmental
  psychology, the ecological or conservation-focused biological sciences or
  environmental social sciences, a
  plant focus is preferred.
• Relevant experience in the field of science
  education in an informal learning environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work with children
  and adults in a pleasant and courteous manner to convey a positive message of
  activism and responsibility for the conservation of plants and ecosystem
  integrity.
• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal
  communication skills, including public speaking.
• Proficiency with computer software packages
  including Microsoft Office.
• Excellent organization skills.
• Experience managing multiple simultaneous
  projects and supervising staff in a team environment. 

To Apply 

• Please use the email address below to send cover letter (including
  salary history), curriculum vitae and 3 professional references.
• The search will remain open until the position
  is filled.  

~ EOE ~