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Part-Time Research Assistant- Dr. Zhang group

Part-time

Penn State University

State College, PAPart-time$15/hrPosted 2mo agoStill listed today

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At a glance

Compensation
$15/hr
Location
State College, 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, required

Job overview

Penn State’s Department of Electrical Engineering seeks a part-time research assistant to work alongside senior researchers in Dr. Qiming Zhang’s group. The role supports development of electroactive polymers and associated devices through processing and fabrication of polymer films and composite structures, as well as characterization testing and prototype testing.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Technical Communication, requiredPolymer Film Fabrication, nice to haveComposite Structure Fabrication, nice to haveCharacterization Testing, nice to havePrototype Testing, nice to have

Qualifications

BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Materials Science or Related Engineering, 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 Department of Electrical Engineering in the College of Engineering seeks to hire a part-time research assistant to work alongside senior researchers in Dr. Qiming Zhang’s group on the development of electroactive polymers and associated devices.

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

  • Assisting in the processing and fabrication of electroactive polymer films and related composite structures
  • Performing characterization tests and testing device prototypes

Requirements and Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or a closely related field
  • Good technical communication skills

Compensation will begin at $15 but can increase depending on the candidate’s qualifications.

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.

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

How this job compares

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

Pay
  • This posting$15/hr
  • Pennsylvania median$12–16/hr38 hourly ranges
  • US median$18–25/hr275 hourly ranges

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

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
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.

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