Summer Research Assistant - Part Time

The Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a highly organized Research Assistant to support a faculty-led research project. Ideal candidates are recent graduates with strong communication and organizational skills. Responsibilities include conducting literature reviews, coordinating interviews, and managing research documentation.

The position requires excellent time-management capability, demonstrated research skills, and proficiency in MS Office and Zoom. Interested candidates should apply with their resume, cover letter, and a writing sample to Professor Sinfree Makoni by June 8, 2026.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Humanities or Social Science fields within the last 2 years.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting literature reviews.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough searches of academic journals and publications.
• Coordinate participant schedules and conduct interviews.
• Maintain confidentiality of interview materials.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Research Skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Humanities or Social Science fields

Tools

MS Office

Zoom

Job description

Job Description and Position Requirements

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Research Assistant to support a new Penn State faculty‑led research project. The ideal candidate will be a recent graduate who has demonstrated strong communication and organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team, manage time and meet deadlines, with some background in humanities and/or the social sciences.

The Research Assistant will communicate with potential study respondents, conduct comprehensive literature reviews (without the use of AI in the writing process or written documents), prepare, moderate, and transcribe interviews, and may be asked to assist in analyzing data. The Research Assistant is required to complete Human Subjects training prior to employment. The Research Assistant will play a critical role in ensuring project milestones are met and research recordkeeping, and submitted written work is accurate.

Key Responsibilities

• Literature Reviews: Conduct thorough searches of academic journals, databases, and publications to identify relevant literature, synthesize findings, and highlight key themes.
• Interview Coordination & Execution: Coordinate participant schedules, conduct or moderate interviews, and accurately transcribe or summarize findings.
• Data Management: Maintain confidentiality of interview materials and storage of documents as directed.
• Project Support: Attend project meetings, maintain organized research files, and perform other research‑related duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Humanities or Social Science fields within past 2 years.
• Research Skills: Demonstrated experience in conducting literature reviews and utilizing academic search databases (e.g., Google Scholar, PubMed, JSTOR).
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to interact professionally with diverse research participants and team members.
• Organization: Strong time‑management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and adhere to strict project deadlines.
• Software: Proficiency in MS Office, Zoom.

Contact Information

Interested candidates should submit their resume/CV, a brief cover letter, and a non‑AI generated writing sample or list of references to Professor Sinfree Makoni, [e-mail] by June 8, 2026.

EEO Statement

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.