Part Time – Parent, Regulation, Engagement, Stress, and Health (PRESH) – Research Assistant

• 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 .

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Parent, Regulation, Engagement, Stress, and Health (PRESH) project, directed by Dr. Erika Lunkenheimer at The Pennsylvania State University, is accepting applications for two part-time Research Assistant positions (20 hours per week) in our University Park, PA office (Penn State Main Campus). The PRESH project involves studying parents’ experience of being parented in childhood, their mental health, their beliefs about parenting, parenting stress, and parents’ self-regulation. We are interested in how these factors influence parent-child interaction patterns, parents’ disciplinary practices, and child outcomes. This study aims to discover which factors should be prioritized when attempting to better support parents to reduce stress and harsh discipline through intervention.

Job Duties
Major job duties could include:

• Conducting 3-hour data collection sessions with families in the laboratory, including conducting interviews, administering questionnaires, collecting biological data (e.g., applying electrodes to skin, collecting saliva samples), and completing experimental tasks with families and children according to study protocols.
• Coding videotaped observational data of parent and child interactions using an established coding system and observational coding software.
• Entering data, transferring data, and/or managing datasets in Excel, SPSS, and data management software.
• Supporting the study Project Coordinator in supervising undergraduate research assistants as needed.

Hours for data collection duties are on weekdays and/or weekend mornings (e.g., 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) to accommodate participating families’ schedules. Hours for video coding duties are flexible but involve weekly meetings held during workday hours. This opening is located in the Moore Building at Penn State, University Park.

Requirements and Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

• Prior laboratory research experience.
• Familiarity and comfort with computer software (e.g., Microsoft Office, SPSS).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least one year of previous research experience
• Experience working with children and families

Candidates should be prepared to provide the names, titles, and contact information (telephone, email, and mailing address) of three (3) professional references, if requested. 

Employment with the University for this job will require successful completion of the Pennsylvania (PA) Publicly Available Clearances: PA Child Abuse History Clearance, PA State Police Criminal Record Check, and the FBI Criminal History Background Check.    

The expected start date is January 9, 2023 but could be negotiable. The work schedule will be 20 hours per week, 12 months a year. Benefits are not included .

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

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 .

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

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applications without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, 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.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster

PA State Labor Law Poster

Penn State Covid-19 Vaccination or Testing Requirements

Penn State is committed to the health of our local and global communities. As a condition of employment, all employees are required to comply with COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements. Click on Penn State Covid-19 Vaccination or Testing Requirements to learn about the requirements as well as general COVID-19 information at Penn State.

Affirmative Action

Penn State Policies

Copyright Information

Hotlines

University Park, PA