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

Penn State University; University Park (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University seeks a law and/or graduate student research assistant to support a project cataloguing state immigration policies from 1989-2026. You will read and code state bills on immigration, enter data into spreadsheets, and help clean the dataset under the guidance of the PI and a team of RAs.

The role covers fall 2026 and spring 2027 with potential extension into summer 2027. Strong attention to detail, self-management, and familiarity with Excel/Google Sheets are essential for

Qualifications

• Must have 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 supervision.
• Strong attention to detail and comfort with repetitive, careful data work.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

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.

Skills

Attention to detail

Self-management

Independent work

Communication skills

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. The RA's tasks will include the following:

• 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.

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.

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.

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