Research Assistant Intern - Scandinavian Prison Project

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 Scandinavian Prison Project is hiring undergraduate student research assistants for survey data collection. Working under the supervision of a faculty member and other senior project staff, research assistants will administer surveys to individuals incarcerated at a nearby state correctional institution. Data collection will take place inside the prison, and is expected to run from Monday, November 30th to Friday, December 4th, with possible hours from 8AM to 8PM each day. You do NOT need to be available every day of this week to apply; however, you must be available for at least one full day of data collection in order to be selected. You must also be available for a required training on Monday, November 16th (morning and afternoon options available).

No prior prison or research experience is required of applicants; however, applicants must be comfortable interacting with incarcerated individuals, talking to prison staff, and spending significant time within a prison. Applicants should also be organized, punctual, and attentive to detail. For interested applicants, there may be opportunities for paid data entry, and additional waves of data collection, in the Spring 2027 semester.

Key Responsibilities

· Completing a required training on survey administration prior to data collection

· Distributing paper surveys to incarcerated individuals at a state correctional institution (prison)

· Collecting paper surveys from incarcerated individuals at a state correctional institution (prison)

· Answering questions about the Scandinavian Prison Project and Prison Climate Questionnaire posed by incarcerated individuals

· Adhering to ethical standards of research, including the protection of participant confidentiality

Required Qualifications

· Enrolled student at Penn State Beaver or Juniata College

Preferred Qualifications

· Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including a willingness to interact with incarcerated individuals

· Ability to work independently and collaboratively with other research staff on a prison unit

· Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

· Reliability and punctuality

· Interest in criminal justice or social science research

Rate: $12/hour

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

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

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster

PA State Labor Law Poster

Penn State Policies

Copyright Information

Hotlines