What are the responsibilities and job description for the Undergraduate Research Assistant - Quality Talk position at The Pennsylvania State University?
- 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, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The Quality Talk research team is seeking an undergraduate research assistant to work on our federally funded research project housed in the College of Education. This employee will provide support for various research activities, including literature searches, data management, and processing and analyzing data.
The project is funded by the National Science Foundation and is aimed at enhancing mathematics teacher educators' capacity to support preservice teachers developing pedagogical knowledge and skills through reasoning-intensive mathematics discussions. The model and professional development approach used in the project, Quality Talk, has been shown in previous studies to increase teachers' discussion-based pedagogical content knowledge and efficacy as well as students' critical-analytic thinking and reasoning.
Responsibilities include deidentifying and processing video discourse data, as well as data management tasks such as scanning, scoring, and ensuring data integrity. Other research tasks may also be assigned. Training for these skills will be provided as needed.
Compensation for this part-time position starts at $15/hr
Required Applicant Prerequisites:
- Enrollment in a relevant undergraduate program (e.g., Education, Human Development, Psychology, Mathematics, or Statistics)
- Successful completion of CITI Training
- Commitment to working 30 hours/per week
- In-person work on the UP campus of Penn State in a group setting
Preferred Applicant Qualities:
- Knowledge and/or prior experience with elementary and/or high school mathematics, science, and English language arts teaching and learning
- Prior research experience in any of the following: web design and development; online engagement; video coding and analysis; curriculum development; instrument and scoring rubric development; data management; and/or qualitative data analysis
Applicants must apply online. Questions regarding this position can be directed to Emilee Herman (eah5811@psu.edu). Applicants should express interest by May 12, 2025, but materials will be accepted until the position is filled.
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). 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.
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.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action 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.