Graduate Research Assistant Intern - Student, AI Research Assistant

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• 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, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

The Graduate Research Assistant will assist with research, data analysis, process improvement, and AI exploration activities that support the development of a more efficient and stable academic scheduling process.

Job Duties

Responsibilities may include:

• Collecting, organizing, and analyzing historical scheduling, enrollment, classroom utilization, and related institutional data using Microsoft Excel and other analytical tools.
• Conducting literature reviews and environmental scans on AI applications, higher education scheduling systems, process automation, and scheduling optimization.
• Assisting in the evaluation of AI-enabled technologies (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, Power Automate, Ad Astra, Infosilem, UiPath, and similar platforms) for their potential application to academic scheduling.
• Documenting current scheduling workflows and helping identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and process improvement.
• Assisting with data reconciliation, validation, and preparation of scheduling datasets for analysis.
• Supporting the development of reports, presentations, process documentation, and grant deliverables for project stakeholders.
• Participating in project meetings and collaborating with faculty, administrators, and campus partners throughout the duration of the project.
• Performing other research and administrative tasks as assigned in support of the grant objectives.

Requirements and Qualifications

Selected applicants must be enrolled as graduate students at Penn State. Preference will be given to students with backgrounds or demonstrated interest in business analytics, information systems, computer science, engineering, artificial intelligence, operations management, data analytics, or related fields.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience working with data, databases, or process mapping.
• Familiarity with AI tools, automation technologies, or programming languages (e.g., Python, SQL, Power Automate, Copilot) is desirable but not required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a multidisciplinary project team.

Compensation: $15.00 per hour.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

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

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