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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applying RNAi technologies to study bee genetics |
The Hines lab (PSU, hineslab.org) is seeking undergraduate researchers for Spring - Summer 2024 interested in learning RNAi (RNA interference) technology towards research aimed at applying RNAi to address the genetic basis of mimetic coloration in bumble bees. In the Spring, the student(s) will work with a small group of researchers (1-2 faculty, a graduate student, 1-2 other undergraduates), will read the literature on RNAi and refine protocols, and will perform RNAi on model taxa using developed protocols (beetles). In the summer these techniques will be applied in bumble bees to determine the role of specific developmental genes in bumble bee coloration and development and help refine these techniques for future research in these bees. |
Agricultural Sciences, Life Sciences |
Variable |
Hybrid |
November 30, 2023 | |
| Research Opportunities at the Aerospace multi-Physical and Unconventional System Lab |
The research activities in the APUS Lab are motivated by the desire to expand the last frontier of aerospace engineering, represented by hypersonic vehicles and high-speed vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The development of these advanced aerospace systems has been constrained by their inherent complex multi-physics nature and the adverse uncertain working environment. While there are relatively mature solutions for each single disciplinary involved in multi-physics problems, these problems cannot be completely understood and solved without integrating the multi-disciplinary tools for the modeling, testing, and robust design of future unconventional aircraft. The following undergraduate research project... |
Engineering, Information Technology and Computer Science, Mathematics |
Credit, Paid, Volunteer |
On campus, Remote, Hybrid |
November 20, 2023 | |
| Artificial Intelligence for Smart and Connected Communities |
We apply state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and data science techniques, including deep learning and reinforcement learning, to solve important societal problems in complex cyber-physical systems, such as smart transportation networks and power systems. Our goal is to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of these systems through prediction and optimization by tackling challenging computational problems. |
Information Technology and Computer Science |
Credit, Paid, Volunteer |
On campus, Remote |
November 14, 2023 | |
| Flow-induced crystallization of polymers |
Semi-crystalline polymers are a very important class of engineering thermoplastic. When subjected to flow, the polymer chains get stretched and crystallize more readily. We try to understand this flow-induced crystallization using AFM, calorimetry, optical microscopy, rheology and X-ray scattering experiments. Ongoing polymer crystallization projects include polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(ethylene oxide), poly(ether ether ketone), and polyamides. |
Engineering |
Volunteer |
On campus |
November 13, 2023 | |
| Black Writers of Pennsylvania Website |
Begun in 2003, Black Writers of PA is an ongoing project to build and maintain a biographical and bibliographical online resource featuring post-World War II African American literary artists of Pennsylvania. The site features Black writers who were born and raised in Pennsylvania, those currently residing or working in the state, those who lived in PA for a significant period of time in the past, and also those whose experiences in Pennsylvania, even if relatively brief, had a significant impact on their writing careers. The resource includes both well-known and emerging writers, from canonical authors to those who are just beginning to publish their work. The purpose of the project is to increase awareness and understanding about Pennsylvania's rich and living African... |
Humanities |
Credit, Volunteer |
On campus, Hybrid |
November 13, 2023 | |
| Cognition, Affect, and Temperament (CAT) Lab Undergraduate Research Assistant Position |
The CAT Lab is seeking undergraduate research assistants (URAs) to assist with studies related to the relationship between early temperament, emotion, and visual attention. Our research focuses on the ways in which emotion and attention interact to shape how individuals navigate their social world. We do this through biological measures, self-report questionnaires, and observations of behavior in our laboratory. Current projects focus on parent-to-child anxiety transmission, different pre- and post-natal influences on children and babies' development, and socioemotional processes underlying social interactions in emerging adulthood. We offer opportunities to work with families in a research setting, collect and code data, and assist in participant recruitment. URAs in the CAT Lab will... |
Social and Behavioral Sciences |
Credit, Volunteer |
On campus |
November 3, 2023 | |
| Parent-to-child anxiety transmission in early childhood (PCAT) |
The Cognition, Affect, and Temperament (CAT) Lab is seeking undergraduate research assistants to assist with data collection for a longitudinal study on parent-to-child anxiety transmission in early childhood. Anxiety can emerge as early as pre-school age (4-6) and is often linked to anxiety in the parent. The study examines patterns of brain and behavioral synchrony in parent-child pairs as they complete puzzles together and other social activities over 2 years. To do this, we collect data using fNIRS, EEG, ECG, mobile eyetracking, and video recordings. Participating families visit the lab 3 times to complete a series of parent-child tasks and independent tasks while wearing the various data collection tools mentioned. All are encouraged to apply, but we are particularly interested in... |
Social and Behavioral Sciences |
Credit, Volunteer |
On campus |
November 3, 2023 | |
| Polyelectrolyte Solution Rheology |
Chemists who synthesize ion-containing polymers must grapple with a severe hindrance - that of accurately measuring the molecular weight of their products. The lack of generally effective methods for determining this fundamental quantity retards research on ionic polymers, which find uses in water purification, energy conversion and storage, massive industrial scale electrolysis and other molecular separations. We are developing four methods that utilize easily measured dynamic properties of semidilute unentangled solutions of ionic polymers to obtain the number-average molecular weight Mn. Each method relies on specific combinations of calibrated measurements so that each method directly determines the number density of chains in solution and thus Mn. These... |
Engineering |
Volunteer |
On campus |
November 3, 2023 | |
| Physical activity and recreation research |
The Activity Research Group has several ongoing projects related to youth and adult physical activity and recreation in which undergraduate students could get involved. In general, we are interested in understanding how people can be supported in being more physically active and how recreation can support psychosocial health and well-being.
|
Social and Behavioral Sciences |
Credit, Volunteer |
On campus, Remote, Hybrid |
November 3, 2023 | |
| Polyvinylalcohol Solution Rheology in collaboration with Proctor & Gamble |
Proctor & Gamble uses poly(vinyl alcohol) for the casings of pods that hold laundry and dishwasher detergents. This polymer is good at hydrogen bonding and forms associating polymer solutions in water, which imparts interesting rheology (flow properties). Various other additives such as salts and surfactants can enhance the association effects in interesting ways. Adding hydrogen bond accepting molecules like dimethylsulfoxide or tetramethyl urea and lower the viscosity by preventing assoications. Our group studies aqueous poly(vinyl alcohol) solution rheology and the phase boundaries of these solutions. The best undergraduates involved get the opportunity to do summer or coop internships at Proctor & Gamble in Cincinnati. |
Engineering |
Volunteer |
On campus |
November 3, 2023 |