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Part-Time Undergraduate Part-time Research Lab Assistant

Part-time

Penn State University

University Park, PAPart-timePosted 2y agoStill listed today

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At a glance

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

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

Job overview

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences seeks undergraduate students to work part-time in Dr. Vivek Kapur’s laboratory on molecular biology experiments related to global health and infectious disease research. The assistant will support projects funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other funding agencies, performing laboratory techniques and assisting with literature searches, organization, and supervised data collection.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Attention to Detail, requiredWritten Communication, requiredOral Communication, requiredCorrespondence Writing, requiredReport Writing, requiredOrganization, requiredEnglish Fluency, required

Qualifications

Fluent English, 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 College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking highly motivated undergraduate students for part-time positions in Dr. Vivek Kapur's laboratory to conduct molecular biology experiments in the field of global health and infectious disease research. This role will support projects funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other major US and international funding agencies.

Responsibilities:

  • Perform basic molecular biology techniques (DNA extraction, conventional and real-time PCR)

  • Conduct immunoassays

  • Prepare bacteriological media

  • Perform literature searches

  • Assist with lab organization

  • Participate in data collection under the supervision of the PI

Requirements:

  • Attention to detail

  • Strong written and oral communication skills

  • Ability to write correspondence and reports

  • Excellent organizational skills

  • Fluency in verbal and written English

Application Instructions: Include a cover letter summarizing relevant experience and specific reasons for interest in the position. Attach a CV with contact information for three references (name, position/title, telephone number, and email address).

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
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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