Part-time Research Assistant - Petersen Kitchen

Penn State University • Ferguson Township, PA

23h • Onsite

About The Position

Dr. Kristina Petersen’s lab in the Department of Nutritional Sciences is seeking dynamic part-time research assistants to join our highly productive research kitchen for the summer (May to August 2026). The Kitchen produces tightly controlled meals and diets for research studies conducted at Penn State. The position involves preparing, cooking, and packing research meals and snacks according to standard protocols and recipes. In addition, the position involves engaging with research participants to provide instructions and assess adherence to the research protocol, research-related administrative tasks, and data entry. We seek candidates that are proactive, task- orientated, attentive to detail, and have excellent communication and organizational skills. Prior experiences in customer service or hospitality a plus, but a positive attitude, love of food and a willingness to learn and work as an individual or as part of a team depending on the task is the main requirement. Applicants must be willing to undertake training in human subjects research (training will be provided). The successful candidate will be available to work for at least 20 hours per week during the summer. This is an in-person job in State College, Pennsylvania. Applicants must submit a resume/CV and cover letter indicating their interest in the position and availability for the position during the summer.

Requirements

• Proactive
• Task-orientated
• Attentive to detail
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Willingness to undertake training in human subjects research (training will be provided)
• Available to work for at least 20 hours per week during the summer
• Submit a resume/CV and cover letter indicating their interest in the position and availability for the position during the summer.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experiences in customer service or hospitality
• Positive attitude
• Love of food
• Willingness to learn and work as an individual or as part of a team depending on the task

Responsibilities

• Preparing, cooking, and packing research meals and snacks according to standard protocols and recipes.
• Engaging with research participants to provide instructions and assess adherence to the research protocol
• Research-related administrative tasks
• Data entry

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees