School of Hospitality Management Part-Time Research Assistant

Job Description and Position Requirements

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 Title

Wage-Based Undergraduate Research Assistant

Job Description

The School of Hospitality Management is seeking two undergraduate research assistants to support a faculty-led research project examining Penn State's reusable container program. This position is supported by an HHD Sustainability Research Grant. The research assistants will work closely with the faculty supervisor and assist with study design, data collection, intervention preparation, and field and experimental research activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews with undergraduate students and/or frontline employees to gather feedback on the reusable container program
• Assist with the preparation and implementation of research interventions, field studies, and experimental studies (online and/or in person)
• Support research-related tasks such as participant recruitment, scheduling, and materials preparation
• Participate in weekly meetings and provide regular progress updates to the faculty supervisor
• Assist with research presentations and may travel with the faculty supervisor to meetings, events, or conferences, as needed

Required Qualifications

• Current Penn State undergraduate student in good academic standing
• Demonstrated experience in hospitality, food service, or customer-facing roles (e.g., dining operations, events, hotels, catering, or related settings)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage professionally with students, staff, or frontline employees in interview or field settings
• Prior experience or training with qualitative research activities, such as interviews, participant recruitment, or data organization
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet weekly research deadlines
• Completion of IRB CITI training

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in food service operations, dining services, or event management within large-scale or institutional environments
• Leadership experience (e.g., crew leader, team captain, student organization officer) demonstrating responsibility and coordination skills
• Interest in sustainability, food systems, or behavioral research, demonstrated through coursework, work experience, or extracurricular involvement

Work Schedule

• Approximately 5 hours per week
• Total of 60 hours for the position

Compensation

• $20 per hour

Number of Positions

• 2

Supervisor

• Anni Ding, Assistant Professor, School of Hospitality Management

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 .

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