What are the responsibilities and job description for the Student Researcher Mushroom Cultivation (Piovesan) position at Gannon University?
Posting Number
Division
School of Engineering and Computing
Department
Col. of Engineering & Business
Location
Erie, Pa
Position Summary
As a research assistant on this Pennsylvania Manufacturing Innovation-funded project, you will collaborate in the development of innovative, light-reflective carbon foam containers for optimized mushroom cultivation. This interdisciplinary role involves hands-on laboratory work, experimental design, data analysis, and potential contributions to patentable innovations. The position offers opportunities to gain experience in sustainable agriculture, materials science, food safety testing, and industrial product development.
Career Readiness Learning Objectives:
Critical Thinking- The student workers will gather and analyze the information from the literature and identify the proper solution to the existing problems. It is expected that the student workers will summarize and interpret experimental data, and also prioritize the action steps.
Communication- The student workers are expected to improve writing skills by drafting project reports and/or manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals. The students are also expected to attend workshops or conferences to present their results, which can further strengthen their communication skills.
Career Readiness Learning Objectives:
Critical Thinking- The student workers will gather and analyze the information from the literature and identify the proper solution to the existing problems. It is expected that the student workers will summarize and interpret experimental data, and also prioritize the action steps.
Communication- The student workers are expected to improve writing skills by drafting project reports and/or manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals. The students are also expected to attend workshops or conferences to present their results, which can further strengthen their communication skills.
The GA position will be expected to present the findings for their work at Celebrate Gannon in Spring 2026.
Key Responsibilities
- Fungal Cultivation Research
- Assist in the selection and preparation of fungal cultures (e.g., Pleurotus ostreatus, Ganoderma, Trametes).
- Monitor growth conditions (humidity, temperature, light exposure, pH, nutrient media).
- Document and analyze the effect of container reflectivity on mushroom growth and yield.
- Sterilization and Durability Studies
- Participate in UVC sterilization experiments and evaluate material integrity post-exposure.
- Track container performance over multiple growth cycles and harvests.
- Regulatory and Safety Testing
- Support testing of harvested mushrooms for chemical safety (GC/LC-MS, ICP-MS analysis).
- Ensure compliance of materials with food-grade and cultivation regulations.
- Documentation and Reporting
- Maintain detailed lab notebooks and contribute to progress reports.
- Present findings at internal research meetings, and optionally, at external conferences.
Benefits
- Gain applied research experience in agritech and sustainable materials.
- Develop skills that translate into careers in biotech, food science, and engineering industries.
- Contribute to publications, presentations, and potentially intellectual property filings.
Required Qualifications
- Interest in sustainable agriculture or materials research.
- Willingness to work in lab environments, including microbiology and mechanical testing labs.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with microbiological techniques, spectrometry, or material testing equipment.
- Strong organizational and documentation skills.
Physical Demands
This position requires minimal physical demands, but applicants should be able to safely lift 50 pounds and sit and/or stand for extended periods.
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
3
Job Posting Open Date
10/08/2026
Job Posting Close Date
12/08/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants
If you have any questions about this position, please contact Dr. Davide Piovesan at piovesan001@gannon.edu.
Benefits:
Health Insurance, 401K PlanSalary : $35,619 - $57,292