Skip to main content

Part-Time Research Assistant-Tooker Lab

Part-time

Penn State University

University Park, PAPart-timePosted 2y agoStill listed today

Most applications go out cold — see where you stand first. No sign-up to start.

You apply on the employer's site, with no Olive account needed.

Watch jobs like this.

Don't just apply. Show up ready.

Olive works from this exact posting.

At a glance

Compensation
No compensation found
Location
University Park, PA
Role Type
Research
Schedule
Part-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Bachelor's degree, requiredValid US Driver's License, required

Job overview

The Tooker Lab in Penn State’s Department of Entomology is hiring part-time lab and field research assistants to support research in laboratory, greenhouse, and outdoor settings. Projects may address biological control, cover crops and pest control, aquatic insect communities, and plant defenses. Applicants need a B.S. degree and an interest in relevant research areas. The role may involve driving university vehicles and occasional nights or weekends.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Ecology, nice to haveEvolution, nice to havePlant-Insect Interactions, nice to haveAgricultural Pest Management, nice to haveResearch Implementation, nice to haveDriving, required

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science, requiredValid US Driver's License, requiredMotor Vehicle Records Check, requiredBackground Check, required

Full job description

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: The Tooker Lab in the Department of Entomology at Penn State is accepting applications for part-time (20 hours per week or less) lab and field research assistant positions. Successful applicants are required to have at least a B.S. degree and should be interested in ecology, evolution, plant-insect interactions, and/or agricultural pest management, and will help lab members (graduate students, research scientists) to implement their research in the lab, greenhouse, and field settings. Some of the work will be done outdoors and could occur in hot or wet conditions. Assistants may be expected to drive university vehicles. Some of our projects will focus on ecologically based management (e.g., biological control) for emerging pests, the role of cover crops in pest control, the influence of pollution on aquatic insect communities, and plants that can “smell” their attackers and then defend themselves. As assistants gain experience, they will gain more independence in their responsibilities. Assistants may be asked to work some nights and weekends, but such requests are unlikely to be regular occurrences and would occur within the limit of 20 hours per week.

This job requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid US driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: 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.

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

EEO IS THE LAW Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action 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.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Affirmative Action Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines

University Park, PA

How this job compares

Set against the 681 open Research Assistant jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 10, 2026.

Pay
  • This postingNot listed
  • US median$47–60K/yr84 salary ranges
  • Pennsylvania median$12–16/hr38 hourly ranges
Openings
Olive Jobs lists 78 open Research Assistant jobs in Pennsylvania and 681 across the US. 4% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Experience
Research Assistant postings that state a minimum ask for 1 year of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 1 to 2 years (152 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 187 of the 681 open Research Assistant jobs (27%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 10, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

Prepare for this role

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.