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Federal Work Study - Biology Research Assistant

Part-time

Penn State University Talent Acquisition

University Park, PAPart-time$13.5/hrSeen 5 days agoSeen in employer's feed 5 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$13.5/hr
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.

Job overview

Penn State’s Department of Biology has a part-time Federal Work Study Research Lab Assistant opening in the Bordenstein research lab for the 2026–27 academic year. The role supports research projects and experiments under the direction of senior research personnel, following established protocols or research plans. Applicants must have received a Federal Work Study award. Work may be on campus or remote if possible and at the employer’s discretion.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Research Project DesignLaboratory ExperimentsData CollectionData AnalysisData Presentation

Qualifications

Federal Work Study Award

Full job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants. JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS This position requires you to have received a work-study award.To verify if you have received a work-study award, please consult the Financial Aid Award Summary area in your LionPATH account.A Federal Work Study award does not guarantee a job is available. The Department of Biology, in the Eberly College of Science, has part-time openings for Federal Work Study Research Lab Assistant position to work in the Bordenstein research lab within the department for the 26-27 academic year. The Research Lab Assistant performs a variety of tasks associated with designing and conducting research projects/experiments; collects, correlates, analyzes, summarizes, and reports on data; informs PI of research information in accordance with established protocols. This individual will assist in the development, design, and execution of research projects, under general direction of senior research personnel and according to standard protocols or research plans; contribute to experiments/tests in the laboratory/field to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions; collect, process, and present data as well as providing support for a research project such as gathering, summarizing, interpreting, information on laws, policies, industry standards, emerging trends in a field of study. Students who received a Federal Work Study award have the opportunity to obtain a job and perform related duties either on campus, or remotely, if possible and at the discretion of the employer. Students applying for Federal Work Study positions should clarify expectations with their potential employer regarding either on campus/in person or remote work arrangements. A Federal Work-Study award does not guarantee a job position is available. The starting hourly rate for this job is $13.50.Federal Work Study job performance is evaluated either annually or through ongoing mentorship. Students who received a Federal Work Study award have the opportunity to obtain a joband perform related duties eitheron campus, orremotely, if possibleand at the discretion of the employer. Students applying for Federal Work Study positions should clarify expectations with their potential employer regarding either on campus/in person or remote work arrangements. 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 cont ct 814-865-1473. Penn State 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 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.

How this job compares

Set against the 713 open Research Assistant jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 27, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$13.5/hr
  • Pennsylvania median$15–16/hr47 hourly ranges
  • US median$18–25/hr288 hourly ranges

This rate, $13.50/hr, is 10% below the Pennsylvania median midpoint ($15/hr) — in the middle half of Research Assistant hourly ranges in Pennsylvania.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 118 open Research Assistant jobs in Pennsylvania and 713 across the US. 3% 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 (150 postings).
Education
192 of the 713 open Research Assistant jobs (27%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 27, 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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