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 School of Public Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg is looking for two undergraduate collaborative research assistants. This is an opening to support grant-funded research with Dr. Chris J. Dolan’s undergraduate research grant entitled, “Accuracy and Efficiency in Threat Intelligence in Homeland Security: The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Tools in Threat Detection.”

The hours will predominantly between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This opening may involve in-person research and analysis and regular meetings with Dr. Dolan in his office once a week. The opening is primarily for help with developing research questions, data collection, testing hypothesis, conducting interviews, and analyzing empirical findings. We will develop a final research paper and build a poster for presentation at a student research event in late April 2025.

Job Duties

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Undergraduate Wage Worker 1: (57.88 hrs @ $16.00/hr)
  • Conduct data collection and analysis, conduct interviews, and develop research questions as well as support the PI in administrative tasks related to the project.
  • This work is crucial for maintaining the project’s momentum and ensuring timely completion of research milestones.
• Undergraduate Wage Worker 2: (57.88 hrs @ $16.00/hr)
  • Empirical and theoretical literature review, conduct interviews, and data entry tasks.
  • This contribution is vital for ensuring accurate data management and facilitating the overall research process through the development of the broader context with the literature review.

 Requirements and Qualifications

• This opening is most suitable for an advanced undergraduate student in homeland security, public policy, criminal justice, and/or political science.
• Ability to commit to 5 to 10 hours per week on a flexible schedule while a project is in progress.
• Ability to follow rigorous research standards and attend regular meetings with the faculty member.
• A demonstrated commitment to quality and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently in a remote/distributed work environment.
• Develop a professional poster and complete research and writing in a timely manner
• Balance time commitment with this project and courses.

Scheduled Weekly Hours: Approximately 5 to 10 Hours/week

Hourly Rate: $16.00/hour

This opening has the potential to be performed fully remote or as a hybrid of remote and on-site working.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: