Law and/or Graduate Student - Part-Time Research Assistant

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for a law and/or graduate student research assistant to support a project cataloguing state immigration policies from 1989-2026. The RA will read, code, and enter state legislation data, working with the PI and a team of RAs.

The role runs for fall 2026 and spring 2027, with possible extension into summer 2027. Responsibilities include reading legislation, coding indicators, and ensuring data accuracy in a structured spreadsheet, while

Qualifications

• Interest in U.S. immigration law, social/public policy.
• Interest in gaining familiarity with social science and/or legal/legislative research.
• General familiarity with Excel and/or Google Sheets.

Responsibilities

• Read state legislation on immigrants/immigration.
• Code legislation for indicators following a coding protocol.
• Enter coded information into a structured spreadsheet.
• Clean collected state legislative data for accuracy and consistency.
• Communicate with the PI and participate in team meetings.

Skills

Immigration policy

Policy research

Excel/Sheets

Self-motivation

Communication skills

Education

Graduate student

Tools

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

The Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education is seeking a law and/or graduate student research assistant to support a project to create a database cataloguing state immigration policies across the United States from 1989-2026.

The RA will work directly with the study PI and a team of RAs to clean and code state legislative data. The RA will specifically work with the PI to read through and code state bills pertaining to immigrants and immigration.

This position is for both the fall 2026 and spring 2027 semesters, with the possibility of extension into summer 2027.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Read state legislation on immigrants/immigration.
• Systematically code legislation for a series of indicators following an established coding protocol.
• Enter the coded information into a structured spreadsheet.
• Assist in cleaning collected state legislative data, checking for accuracy and consistency.
• Communicate regularly with the PI on progress and participate in regular team meetings.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Interest and/or formal specialization in U.S. immigration law, social/public policy.
• Interest in gaining familiarity with social science and/or legal/legislative research.
• General familiarity with Excel and/or Google Sheets.
• Excellent self-management skills.
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and stay organized with minimal day-to-day supervision.
• Strong attention to detail and comfort with repetitive, careful data work.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior research assistant experience involving data entry/management.
• Experience with social science and/or legal/legislative research.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

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The ASR is available for review here.

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If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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