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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

The López-Uribe Lab is hiring a part-time wage employee to serve as a research assistant to support field and greenhouse research on plant-pollinator interactions. Work related to greenhouse experiments will take place on campus. Other projects require frequent travel outside the State College area and overnight stays to conduct fieldwork. Fieldwork will be conducted in pairs and will involve capturing pollinators, measuring plants, and collecting floral trait data. Other tasks will include data entry, insect pinning, and labeling. This position may also involve assisting with other López-Uribe Lab research projects.

Previous experience conducting field work and working with plants and/or pollinators is desirable but not required. Candidates must be comfortable working in hot weather conditions and hiking to reach field sites.

This position will be available from June 1st to October 31st of 2026. Applications should consist of a brief cover letter detailing relevant experience and interest in the position, a resume or CV, and contact details for two references.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plant husbandry in the greenhouse (watering, fertilizing, etc)
• Collection of floral trait data (e.g., morphology, nectar, pollen)
• Regular travel to overnight stays there to conduct fieldwork (all travel will occur in a lab or department vehicle)
• Collecting pollinators and assisting in the processing of these specimens (i.e., pinning, labeling, and identifying)
• Collecting data on floral resources, plant counts, and associated species using online and paper forms at target sites
• Assisting with data entry tasks and data quality control
• Assisting with other projects in the López-Uribe Lab as necessary

LOCATION AND COMMITMENTS

• The person in this position would be expected to report to the López-Uribe Lab at the Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building on the University Park campus, but fieldwork would involve regularly traveling
• 15-30 hours a week, exact working times will be variable depending on plant blooming periods
The person in this position may occasionally be required to work weekends, depending on factors affecting fieldwork, such as weather

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Compensation:

The starting rate for this job is $15.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

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