Undergraduate research assistant - Van Meter Lab
Part-timePenn 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. New roles like this one near University Park, PA, by email.
Don't just apply. Show up ready.
Olive works from this exact posting.
At a glance
Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.
Job overview
Penn State’s Department of Geography, Van Meter Lab, seeks an Undergraduate Research Assistant to support research on wetland conditions and functional assessments. The role includes fieldwork, water quality data acquisition, research and analysis, and administrative support. Aquatic fieldwork and GIS software experience are highly desired. The position is 5–20 hours per week and requires the ability to drive a personal vehicle for fieldwork.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
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 Department of Geography (Van Meter Lab) in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences is seeking an Undergraduate Research Assistant (URA). The URA position will be 5-20 hours/week.
Job duties for the successful candidate will include the following:
- Assist with field work and water quality data acquisition in the field (requiring ability to drive personal vehicle)
- Conduct research and analysis in support of scholarly products focused on wetland conditions and functional assessments
- Other administrative tasks as assigned/needed to support research.
- Experience with aquatic fieldwork as well as with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software (e.g. ArcGIS Pro, QGIS) is highly desired.
Application review will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
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.
- 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.
Prepare for this role
You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.
