Of the people I know who are called "researchers" in the museum setting,
all have PhDs in a particular discipline (such as history, public history,
anthropology, and so on).  Have you thought of becoming a curator?
There's no PhD required for most curatorial positions in
small-to-mid-sized and some large institutions, and curators sure do a lot
of research on collections artifacts and in preparation for exhibitions.

Melanie Solomon
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>I just saw a post about a conference that focused on the role of research

>in a museum.  As a senior in college, and a museum employee, I have
>recently become interested in being a researcher at a museum.  While I
>have been looking at grad schools, I have not seen any references to
>obtaining a degree that would help me acheive this goal through museum
>studies programs or any other discipline.   Also, I have read the AAM's
>article about suggested qualifications, etc., for museum positions.  They

>did not include anything about research either.  Is this just a career
>that takes off after one obtains a degree in a specialized area of study
>(i.e. history, anthropology) and approaches a museum about job openings?

>Can any museum professionals out there help me find an answer to my
>question?
>Please email me or post to the group. I am interested in hearing many
>people's opinions!
>Thank you in advance!
>
>Michelle Jensen
>Manager, Discovery Room
>Museum of Natural History
>438 Natural History Building
>1301 West Green Street
>Urbana, IL  61801