Research Assistant — Materials & Recycling Lab (Part‑Time)

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

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking applicants for a part-time Research Assistant position in the Energy Institute. Duties include assisting with dismantling and sorting electronic waste, supporting experiments on metal recovery, and preparing samples for characterization.

Undergraduate students in engineering or science are encouraged to apply; no prior experience is required, though hands-on research experience is preferred. Schedule is approximately 24 hr per week, at $15 per hour.

Qualifications

• No prior experience is required.
• Undergraduate students in engineering or science disciplines are encouraged to apply.
• Prior hands-on or research experience is preferred.
• Preference will be given to candidates who can continue working on the project through December 2026, contingent on satisfactory performance.

Responsibilities

• Assist with dismantling and sorting electronic waste (e.g., PCBs, HDDs, solar panels)
• Support laboratory experiments related to metal recovery and separation
• Prepare samples and assist with basic material characterization
• Work with mechanical processing equipment (e.g., shredding, separation) and chemical processes
• Record data and assist with research documentation

Skills

No prior experience required

Undergraduate student in engineering

Hands-on or research experience

Job description

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking applicants for a part-time Research Assistant position in the Energy Institute. Duties include assisting with dismantling and sorting electronic waste, supporting experiments on metal recovery, and preparing samples for characterization.

Undergraduate students in engineering or science are encouraged to apply; no prior experience is required, though hands-on research experience is preferred. Schedule is approximately 24 hr per week, at $15 per hour.