Part-Time Microbiology Research Assistant
Part-timePenn State University
University Park, PAPart-timePosted 1y agoStill listed today
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Job overview
The Bletz Lab seeks undergraduate students to assist with Morris Animal Foundation-funded research on protists, amphibian microbiomes, and amphibian fungal pathogens. Research assistants will work with graduate students on microbiological and molecular lab work. The opening is for the Fall 2025 semester, with continuation into spring and summer described as highly likely based on good performance.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
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Full job description
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
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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.
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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.
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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 Bletz Lab is seeking undergraduate student(s) to assist with lab-based research funded by the Morris Animal Foundation on the role of protists in shaping the protective function of amphibian microbiomes and their impact on amphibian fungal pathogens.
The research assistant will work with graduate students in the lab to assist with carrying out microbiological and molecular lab work including bacterial culturing, protist culturing, interaction assays, DNA extraction and PCR. The opening is for the Fall 2025 Semester with continuation into the spring and summer highly likely based on good performance.
Read more about our lab’s work here: https://mollybletz.wixsite.com/mollybletz, and please reach out to Dr. Molly Bletz with questions ([email protected])
Job duties may include:
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Making media
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Culturing bacteria and protists
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Performing interaction assays
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DNA extraction
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PCR
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Sequencing
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
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.
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. Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines
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.
- Hiring the most in Pennsylvania
- 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
- 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.
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