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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

The Family and Intergenerational Meaningful Engagement Together (FIGMENT) Lab is hiring a part-time, paid undergraduate student to join the research team as a Research Assistant on the Sports Media Ecosystems project. This project investigates how sports media—ranging from social media and video platforms to gaming and podcasts—shapes how people engage with sports, identity, and community.

The position offers hands-on experience with qualitative and digital research methods, including media analysis and data organization. The ideal candidate will have strong communication and organizational skills, curiosity about sports media and culture, and a commitment to ethical research practices.

The position begins November 15th (or as soon as the position is filled) and ends May 1 . It offers flexible hours, averaging 2.75-3 hours per week , arranged in coordination with the research team. Pay is $15 per hour .

Responsibilities-

• Assist with the collection, organization, and analysis of media content (e.g., videos, social media posts, podcasts).
• Support coding and analysis of interview and artifact data.
• Conduct literature reviews and assist in summarizing findings.
• Organize and maintain research files and datasets in accordance with IRB and data management protocols.
• Participate in regular meetings and contribute to collaborative discussions about research design and findings.

Required Qualifications-

• Undergraduate student in Education, Business, Communications, Media Studies, Sociology, or a related field.
• Strong writing, organization, and communication skills.
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn basic digital research tools (e.g., spreadsheets, collaborative documents, media annotation tools).
• Ability to complete tasks on time with minimal supervision.
• Ethical engagement with all research data, including maintaining confidentiality and privacy as necessary.

Desired Qualifications-

• Interest in or experience studying sports, digital culture, or sports data analytics/marketing.
• Completion of LDT 100, LDT 110N, or related coursework.
• Prior experience with qualitative research (e.g., coding, thematic analysis) or social media analysis.
• Curiosity about how people learn, connect, and form identities through media.

How to Apply-

Apply through Careers | Human Resources , with a one- to-two-page resume and a short (no more than one page) letter of interest with your qualifications, interests, and reason for applying for the job. If you have any questions about the role or responsibilities, please reach out to Ty Hollett ( tyhollett@psu.edu ).

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

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

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