Part-Time Research Support
Part-timePenn State University
University Park, PAPart-time$20/hrPosted 2w agoStill listed today
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Job overview
The Energy Institute in Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences seeks part-time research support for work on sustainable extraction of critical minerals and materials. The role involves transporting water from acid mine drainage sites to University Park, maintaining filters, pumps, and plumbing at a pilot-scale facility, and participating in physical and chemical separation experiments.
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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 Energy Institute within the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences is seeking applicants for part-time research support.
This position will be involved in research on the sustainable extraction of critical minerals and materials from primary and secondary sources to address U.S. needs for these materials. The candidate is expected to help transport 2,000 gallons of water (using a water tanker rented by PSU) from Phillipsburg-area acid mine drainage sites to the University Park Campus. The candidate will also be involved in the operation of the facility to maintain the filters, pumps, and plumbing (PVC) and in various experiments (physical and chemical separation) at the 10,000 gallons per day pilot-scale facility, located at the Penn State University Park Campus.
Requirements:
- Candidates must have (and maintain) a valid PA license. (Commercial driver's license is not needed.)
- Driving experience
Compensation: The starting rate for this position is $20.00/hour Estimated Hours Per Week: 25 per week
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.
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 4,436 open Researcher jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 10, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$20/hr
- US median$24–33/hr331 hourly ranges
This rate, $20/hr, is 30% below the US median midpoint ($29/hr) — in the lowest quarter of Researcher hourly ranges across the US.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 321 open Researcher jobs in Pennsylvania and 4,436 across the US. 2% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Pennsylvania
- Experience
- Researcher postings that state a minimum ask for 3 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 2 to 5 years (1,362 postings).
- Education
- 2,931 of the 4,436 open Researcher jobs (66%) 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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