Part-Time 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 Department of Anthropology is seeking a part-time undergraduate research assistant. The student will be conducting lab-based experiments designed to measure a key parameter in an ongoing international research project on Australian bush tomato (Solanum diversiflorum, called wamula in Martu Wangka) foraging ecology. At the core of the project is a Central Place Foraging model predicting when a hypothetical forager will process wamula near a harvesting patch before transporting it back to camp, rather than carrying unprocessed fruit in bulk. The model requires estimating the field processing threshold (z), the travel distance beyond which field processing increases the net rate of energy delivery to a central place. A critical variable is y₀, the edible fraction of an unprocessed load, here measured not by weight (which we have estimated from fieldwork) but by container volume: how much of a carrying container's capacity is usable edible fruit when packed with whole unprocessed wamula, and how much more capacity becomes available once the fruit are processed (seeds removed, halved, and stacked). The student will be processing tomatillos (a close wamula analog), measuring the time it takes to process and the changes in load utility (amount of edible fruit) that processing provides. 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 814-865-1473. 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