Part-Time Research Associate

Application Instructions:

• Current Penn State Employee (Faculty, Staff, Technical Service, Or Student), Please Login To Workday To Complete The Internal Application Process. Please Do Not Apply Here, Apply Internally Through Workday.

• Current Penn State Student (Not Employed Previously At The University) And Seeking Employment With Penn State, Please Login To Workday To Complete The Student Application Process. Please Do Not Apply Here, Apply Internally Through Workday.

• If You Are Not A Current Employee Or Student, Please Click “Apply” And Complete The Application Process For External Applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

Job Description And Position Requirements

We are seeking a detail-oriented and motivated part-time Research Associate to support ongoing projects in environmental health and safety engineering. The role involves reviewing scientific literature, summarizing findings, organizing research planning tasks, assisting with human subjects research (e.g., surveys and computer-based activities), and performing basic data collection and analysis. This is a one-year position that includes Fall, Spring, and Summer. Job duties include and are not limited to:

• Conduct literature reviews and write concise summaries of scientific articles.
• Assist in planning and organizing research tasks and timelines.
• Support human subjects research activities, including survey administration and participant coordination.
• Collect, clean, and organize data from experiments and surveys.
• Perform basic statistical analysis and generate visualizations or reports.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to research documentation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Pursuing a degree in engineering or a related STEM field.
• Strong written communication and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with scientific literature and basic research methods.
• Experience with Excel, Google Sheets, or statistical software (e.g., R, Python, Matlab) is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and maintain data confidentiality in human subjects research.
• French language proficiency is a plus, especially for projects involving West African collaborators. Not required, but helpful.

Background Checks/Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

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Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

Eeo Is The Law

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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