Undergraduate Research Opportunities Database
Our database is a great resource in helping students find exciting undergraduate research opportunities at Penn State.
To get the best results, we recommend that you select all of the research areas that interest you. We also recommend that you conduct multiple searches.
Campus – Select the campus(es) where you would be interested in participating in research. Depending on the time of year when you are using the database, consider whether your location changes. For example, do you spend your summers closer to a different campus than where you regularly attend school?
Research Area – Select the area(s) of research that interest you most, keeping in mind that research is often interdisciplinary so it might be appropriate to select more than one area. For example, if you are interested in health you might want to search for opportunities in the physical sciences, life sciences, and nursing and health sciences, because these research areas could all be relevant to your interest in health.
Position Type – Select the position type(s) that are most appealing to you. If you prefer whether you earn credit versus being paid, be sure to narrow down the search results using this field.
Note: You may not receive academic credit and be paid for the same research experience in a given semester.
- “Work Study” is only available to students who have received a federal work-study (FWS) award. You can verify if you have an FWS award by visiting LionPATH and reviewing your "Financial Aid Summary.” If you do not have a federal work-study award, your mentor can also inquire with the Office of Student Aid - 814-865-6301 - to determine if you are eligible to be awarded one.
Mentors interested in creating an account or posting an opportunity should visit the Posting Undergraduate Research Opportunities section.
| Title | Description | Research Area(s) | Position Type(s) | Work Setting(s) | Updated Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Assistant Positions in The Coping and Regulation of Environmental Stress Lab |
The Coping and Regulation of Environmental Stress (CaRES) Lab within the Psychology Department is seeking several part-time research assistants for a large randomized controlled trial investigating coping trajectories of youth. The Building a Strong Identity and Coping Skills (BaSICS) project will work towards confirming the effectiveness of the BaSICS intervention program in treating and preventing mental health problems in young adolescents from low income households and to evaluate its potential to mitigate the youth mental health crisis by offering group-based services to youth assigned to waitlists at treatment facilities. |
Social and Behavioral Sciences |
Credit, Volunteer |
On campus |
December 4, 2024 | |
| Infant Emotion Regulation Research Assistant Opportunities at the Cognition, Affect, and Temperament Lab |
The CAT Lab directed by Dr. Koraly Perez-Edgar is seeking undergraduate research assistants (URAs) to assist with Emotion-regulation and Mother-Infant Study. This study examines how community and family resources are linked to mother-infant brain and behavioral synchrony and infant emotion-regulation. To understand these connections, we use surveys, behavioral observation, monitoring heart rate, and functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning. We are looking for research assistants to help find participants and collect data during lab visits. |
Social and Behavioral Sciences |
Credit |
On campus |
November 21, 2024 | |
| Undergraduate Research Assistant – Bilingual (Spanish-English) |
The Rovniak Lab at the Penn State College of Medicine within the Department of Medicine is seeking several part-time research assistants for a large randomized controlled trial with over 1,400 participants to help engage older adults with osteoarthritis in no-cost exercise opportunities available nationwide. Our project aims to connect older adults across the United States with supportive and convenient exercise opportunities that can help them improve their physical and mental wellness. This work is being done with funding from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Research assistants must be bilingual and speak fluent English and Spanish. This job may be performed locally or remotely. |
Any |
Paid |
Hybrid |
November 19, 2024 | |
| Robot and augmented-reality programming for sensorimotor neuroscience research |
This project involves programming a robot in Simulink and MATLAB for sensorimotor neuroscience research. The robot is called the KINARM Endpoint robot (KINARM LAB/) and it is widely used in the field of sensorimotor neuroscience to understand brain function. The robot is programmed so that healthy adults and children as well as patients with neurological disorders can manually interact with it by grabbing a manipulandum. The robot applies gentle forces and participants have to react to those forces. This work will be done in the Sensorimotor Neuroscience and Learning Laboratory in the Department of Kinesiology. The laboratory director is Dr. Tarkesh Singh. The laboratory is in the basement of... |
Engineering, Life Sciences |
Credit, Variable, Volunteer |
On campus |
November 12, 2024 | |
| Research Assistant Positions in the Dismantling Racial inEquities Around Mental health (DREAM) Lab |
Description of Lab: The Dismantling Racial inEquities Around Mental Health (DREAM) Lab at Penn State is recruiting volunteer research assistants! The DREAM Lab is directed by Dr. Chardee Galan, an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Child Clinical Area (https://galanlab.org/). Our lab aims to: 1) advance research on the mental health effects of racism on youth and families of color, including work on racial trauma; 2) develop and test interventions that leverage cultural strengths to promote resilience and mitigate the detrimental effects of racism on youth and families of color; and 3) address key drivers of racial inequities in mental health, including the lack of culturally humble mental health providers and the perpetration of... |
Social and Behavioral Sciences |
Credit, Volunteer |
On campus, Remote |
November 12, 2024 | |
| Rhetorical Criticism of Current Event or Popular Culture Texts |
This opportunity will enable undergraduate students to conduct rhetorical criticism research on a rhetorical text of their choice, using a rhetorical or communication theory to discover/create meaning and examine messages within the text. Texts can relate to current events, such as political speeches or social media pages, or may be popular culture texts, such as television shows, films, songs, play/musicals, anime, etc. Other options for texts may include museum exhibits, monuments, memorials, websites, and advertising campaigns. Undergraduate students who are interested in conducting their own rhetorical criticism research projects are encouraged to contact Dr. Valerie Schrader, Associate Professor of Communication Arts & Sciences and Coordinator of the Penn State... |
Communications and Journalism, Humanities, Visual and Performing Arts |
Credit |
Remote |
November 12, 2024 | |
| Development, Risk, and Resilience Lab Research Assistants |
In the Development, Risk, and Resilience Lab, our goal is to understand when and under what circumstances developmental trajectories of children begin to diverge from normative trajectories among families who are struggling with substance abuse and related issues (e.g., mental health symptoms; caregiving unpredictability). The Development, Risk, and Resilience Lab is interested in how prenatal and early adversities shape the development of children's self-regulation; how these associations may be mediated or moderated by parenting quality; and applying this understanding to prevention. We are also working to understand protective factors that promote resilience in children in the face of early adversities. Our research is funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National... |
Social and Behavioral Sciences |
Credit |
On campus |
November 11, 2024 | |
| Behavioral Coding Research Assistant Positions in the Cognition, Affect, and Temperament Lab |
The Cognition, Affect, and Temperament (CAT) Lab, led by Dr. Koraly Perez-Edgar, is seeking undergraduate research assistants (URAs) to assist with behavioral coding for our Parent-to-Child Anxiety Transmission (PCAT) Study. The PCAT Study examines how parents and children, aged 4-6 yrs, develop anxiety and affect each other. Behavioral coding involves taking video data and systematically defining observable behaviors throughout the video. Onboarding is expected to begin in late Fall and training will begin in early Spring. No experience in coding is required for this position, however, we are looking for students who have strong communication skills and are able to follow instructions well. To learn more about the CAT Lab, check out our website: ... |
Social and Behavioral Sciences |
Credit |
On campus, Remote |
October 31, 2024 | |
| Insect-inspired touch sensor design |
The Bio-Motion Systems Lab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering is looking for a motivated undergraduate student to study the mechanical properties of insect touch sensors. Insects such as cockroaches rely on their antennae for tactile exploration and guidance. The mechanical properties of these antennae play a crucial role in how insects perceive touch. Recently, we have discovered unique structures in the the antenna that may influence its mechanical behavior and sensory function. The undergraduate student will use 3D printing technology to develop physical models of various regions of the antenna. These models will be subjected to mechanical testing to analyze how geometry affects performance. This work will involve: 1. Designing accurate 3D models of different... |
Engineering, Life Sciences |
Credit, Volunteer |
On campus |
October 16, 2024 | |
| Combatting "superbugs" by reducing unnecessary antibiotic use |
Undertake website (Wordpress/Penn State Sites) updates to support dissemination of educational videos for healthcare providers focused on talking with patients about antibiotics. Other duties negotiable; can include assisting with data collection and analysis for research on antibiotic stewardship interventions. |
Any |
Credit, Paid, Volunteer, Work Study |
On campus, Remote, Hybrid |
October 4, 2024 |