Spring 2026 Undergraduate Research Internship: Community-Based Coaching & Health Interventions

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lion Health Lab at Penn State seeks undergraduate interns for a paid research role focused on coaching, program delivery, and community-based health research. You’ll work with youth, families, and partners while delivering sport- and fitness-based programs and supporting data collection in real-world settings.

Pay is $20/hour for 2–6 hours per week from January 24, 2026 through May 15, 2026. Interns will gain hands-on experience in coaching-based intervention delivery, participant

Qualifications

• Undergraduate student enrolled in kinesiology, health, psychology, neuroscience, or related field.
• Interest in coaching, health promotion, or community-based research.
• Comfortable working with people in active, real-world settings.
• Reliable, professional, and able to follow research protocols.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with coaching and program delivery in community or gym settings.
• Support implementation of research protocols during live programs.
• Help with participant check-in, equipment setup, and session logistics.
• Assist with data collection (surveys, observational measures, wearables).
• Maintain accurate records and follow human subjects procedures.
• Participate in lab meetings and training sessions.
• Contribute to project documentation and brief reports.
• Represent the Lion Health Lab professionally in community settings.

Skills

Coaching

Communication

Teamwork

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

The Lion Health Lab is seeking motivated undergraduate students for a paid research internship focused on coaching, program delivery, and community-based health research. This position is ideal for students interested in working directly with youth, families, and community partners while gaining hands‑on experience running real-world experiments and health interventions. Interns will play an active role in delivering sport- and fitness-based programs (often in CrossFit or similar community settings), supporting data collection, and helping implement research protocols tied to physical activity, mental health, and family-based health promotion.

Pay: $20/hour Commitment: 2-6 hours per week Dates: January 24, 2026 - May 15, 2026

Project Description

Interns will support ongoing Lion Health Lab projects examining how structured physical activity and coaching environments influence physical, mental, and cognitive health across the lifespan. Much of the work occurs in community and gym-based settings, where interns help run programs, interact with participants, and support research data collection. This internship emphasizes applied research, not desk-only work. Interns will gain experience in coaching-based intervention delivery, participant engagement, and translating health science into practice. Students will work closely with Dr. Janette Watkins (PI) and graduate student mentors throughout the semester.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with coaching and program delivery in community or gym-based settings
• Support implementation of research protocols during live programs
• Help with participant check-in, equipment setup, and session logistics
• Assist with data collection (e.g., surveys, observational measures, wearables)
• Maintain accurate records and follow human subjects research procedures
• Participate in lab meetings and training sessions
• Contribute to project documentation and brief reports
• Represent the Lion Health Lab professionally in community settings

Required Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student (any major related to kinesiology, health, psychology, neuroscience, or similar fields encouraged)
• Interest in coaching, health promotion, or community-based research
• Comfortable working with people in active, real-world settings
• Reliable, professional, and able to follow research protocols
• Strong communication and teamwork skills

Preferred Qualifications

• CrossFit Level 1 certification or higher (strongly preferred)
• Experience coaching, teaching, or leading physical activity programs
• Interest in public health, behavioral science, or intervention research
• Familiarity with youth or family-based programs
• Self-motivated with strong time management skills

Mentorship & Training

• Human subjects research procedures
• Program delivery and coaching expectations
• Community engagement and professional conduct
• Exposure to intervention science and applied research careers

Duration and Commitment

Spring 2026: January 24 - May 15, 2026 2-6 hours per week, depending on program schedules

Background Checks/Clearances

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

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