Graduate AI Research Assistant: Data Analysis & Process Automation

The Pennsylvania State University; Paxtonia (PA); On-site; USD 18,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

Penn State University is seeking a Graduate Research Assistant to assist with research, data analysis, process improvement, and AI exploration for an academic scheduling project.

You will analyze historical data, review AI tools, and help automate scheduling workflows while collaborating with faculty and campus partners. This position supports grant objectives and requires graduate student enrollment at Penn State.

Qualifications

• Selected applicants must be enrolled as graduate students at Penn State.
• Preference for backgrounds in business analytics, information systems, computer science, engineering, AI, operations management, or data analytics.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with data, databases, or process mapping.
• Familiarity with AI tools, automation technologies, or programming languages is desirable.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating on a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Collect, organize, and analyze historical scheduling data using Excel and other analytical tools.
• Conduct literature reviews on AI applications, scheduling systems, automation and optimization.
• Evaluate AI-enabled technologies for potential scheduling applications.
• Document current workflows and identify automation opportunities.
• Assist with data reconciliation, validation, and dataset preparation for analysis.
• Support development of reports, presentations, and grant deliverables.
• Participate in project meetings with faculty, administrators, and campus partners.
• Perform other research and administrative tasks to support the grant objectives.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Data analysis experience

Programming languages (Python, SQL)

Written and verbal communication

Independent yet collaborative

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Power Automate

Copilot

Infosilem

UiPath

Ad Astra

Job description

Penn State University is seeking a Graduate Research Assistant to assist with research, data analysis, process improvement, and AI exploration for an academic scheduling project.

You will analyze historical data, review AI tools, and help automate scheduling workflows while collaborating with faculty and campus partners. This position supports grant objectives and requires graduate student enrollment at Penn State.