Part-Time Research Assistant(s)- PRISM Lab

Penn State University; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading university is seeking motivated students to join the PRISM lab as research assistants for a family-focused behavioral research project. The role involves assisting with data collection and behavioral assessments related to children’s wellbeing during pregnancy and postpartum, providing an enriching experience in a collaborative research environment.

Qualifications

• Intrinsically motivated students with a passion for research are preferred.
• Experience with young children is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Assist with lab-based behavioral assessment sessions.
• Support data collection for research studies.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Research experience

Interpersonal skills

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, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Summary: The Personal Relationships, Interpersonal Stress, and Mindfulness (PRISM) lab directed by Dr. Heidemarie Laurent is seeking students who would like to work with us on a family-focused behavioral research project through the Harrisburg, PA Parents and Children Together (PACT) Center. Research assistants support data collection for a longitudinal study of child-bearer and infant wellbeing during pregnancy and postpartum:

The WISH Project seeks to understand how child-bearers and babies’ physiological and behavioral responses to stress in the first few years of baby’s life develop.

The project involves a range of methodological approaches, including surveys, behavioral observations during structured parent-infant laboratory tasks, saliva sampling for physiological stress markers, clinical interviewing, and video-recorded parent-infant interactions.

Lab Website: https://hhd.psu.edu/hdfs/prism-lab

Start date: as soon as possible

Expected end date: June 30, 2025

Responsibilities: Duties involve assisting with lab-based behavioral assessment sessions with child-bearers and their babies.

Qualifications: We are seeking hard-working, intrinsically motivated, detail-oriented students who enjoy research. Prior research experience and/or experience with young children is preferred.

Position type: Course credit or for hourly pay (starting at $18.00/hour); up to 10-20 hours per week

College: The position is sponsored by the Human Development and Family Studies Department, College of Health and Human Development, Penn State, though we accept students from all majors.

Application procedure: Interested applicants should submit a resume or curriculum vita and letter of interest along with their application in WorkDay. Questions may also be directed to Principal Investigator Heidemarie Laurent ([e-mail]).

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

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.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports both broad and specific 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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