Penn State University
Undergraduate Research Assistant - Biobehavioral Health
Penn State University, University Park, Texas, United States
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, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
Job Description and Position Requirements This Research Support position assists with the implementation of a behavioral intervention study aiming to increase optimism in midlife adults. The role involves delivering intervention sessions via Zoom, recruiting and coordinating participants, collecting and managing data, and supporting day‑to‑day research activities under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and research staff.
The undergraduate research assistant will support a pilot study housed in the Biobehavioral Health Department at Penn State University. The study evaluates a novel mind‑body intervention designed to promote optimism, comprising three components: guided writing exercises, brief resistance training (air squats), and slow‑paced breathing. The interventions are administered remotely (via Zoom) for 30 minutes per day, 5 times per week, across a 4‑week protocol for each participant. A primary responsibility of this role is to facilitate the Zoom sessions; therefore, candidates must be available for consistent 2–3 hour blocks daily (e.g., 5:00–8:00 p.m., Monday–Friday) and be willing to meet with participants on occasional weekends.
Sample Work Activities
Deliver live, protocol‑guided intervention sessions to participants via Zoom, including writing prompts, 2‑minute air squats, and breathing exercises
Recruit, screen, and schedule participants according to IRB‑approved procedures
Describe study goals, procedures, and privacy protections to participants; obtain informed consent as needed
Collect self‑report survey data and manage wearable data (e.g., fitness tracker output)
Enter, clean, and organize participant data using REDCap or similar platforms
Monitor intervention fidelity and participant adherence; maintain detailed records
Attend weekly team meetings and contribute to study operations and troubleshooting
Assist with IRB documentation and compliance tracking
Perform other research‑related activities as assigned by the Principal Investigator
Preferred Qualifications
Interest in behavioral medicine and psychophysiology
Strong interpersonal skills, particularly in virtual/Zoom‑based communication
Prior experience with participant‑facing roles or data collection is preferred
Reliability, professionalism, and attention to detail are essential
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). 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. 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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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, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
Job Description and Position Requirements This Research Support position assists with the implementation of a behavioral intervention study aiming to increase optimism in midlife adults. The role involves delivering intervention sessions via Zoom, recruiting and coordinating participants, collecting and managing data, and supporting day‑to‑day research activities under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and research staff.
The undergraduate research assistant will support a pilot study housed in the Biobehavioral Health Department at Penn State University. The study evaluates a novel mind‑body intervention designed to promote optimism, comprising three components: guided writing exercises, brief resistance training (air squats), and slow‑paced breathing. The interventions are administered remotely (via Zoom) for 30 minutes per day, 5 times per week, across a 4‑week protocol for each participant. A primary responsibility of this role is to facilitate the Zoom sessions; therefore, candidates must be available for consistent 2–3 hour blocks daily (e.g., 5:00–8:00 p.m., Monday–Friday) and be willing to meet with participants on occasional weekends.
Sample Work Activities
Deliver live, protocol‑guided intervention sessions to participants via Zoom, including writing prompts, 2‑minute air squats, and breathing exercises
Recruit, screen, and schedule participants according to IRB‑approved procedures
Describe study goals, procedures, and privacy protections to participants; obtain informed consent as needed
Collect self‑report survey data and manage wearable data (e.g., fitness tracker output)
Enter, clean, and organize participant data using REDCap or similar platforms
Monitor intervention fidelity and participant adherence; maintain detailed records
Attend weekly team meetings and contribute to study operations and troubleshooting
Assist with IRB documentation and compliance tracking
Perform other research‑related activities as assigned by the Principal Investigator
Preferred Qualifications
Interest in behavioral medicine and psychophysiology
Strong interpersonal skills, particularly in virtual/Zoom‑based communication
Prior experience with participant‑facing roles or data collection is preferred
Reliability, professionalism, and attention to detail are essential
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). 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. 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr