Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The Research Assistant provides support for research project operations and logistics, facilitates communications between research team and sponsors, assists with data entry and organization, prepares project documentation, and processes financial transactions related to the project.

• Facilitate research project logistics including communicating updates to sponsors and team members, tracking project progress, scheduling meetings, organizing internal and external training sessions, and coordinating project participant scheduling
• Support data management activities through data entry, coding, and generating reports
• Serve as point of contact and liaison for investigators, project team members, sponsors, community and government partners
• Assist with financial aspects of research activities including processing reimbursements, payroll, purchase requests, and budget tracking
• Assist with editing, preparing, and submitting summaries, reports, grants, and proposals
• Maintain documentation and records related to research activities, personnel certifications, operating procedures, and safety requirements
• Provide support to external customers related to sample submissions
• Provide laboratory support including coordinating schedules, managing inventory, and maintaining safety documentation

Level:

– Intermediate Support

Base Description:

– Completes administrative activities and tasks of a technical or functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates ability to perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas. Demonstrates intermediate knowledge of internal procedures. Works under general supervision, performing assignments that may be varied and sometimes difficult. Supports team decisions and follows through with team responsibilities. Interprets and communicates information clearly and accurately. Demonstrates intermediate problem–solving skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– May provide basic direction to lower level support staff

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Handles routine financial transactions
– May validate and pay invoices

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems; occasionally faces more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– Applies knowledge of institutional policies and procedures in determining course of action

Independence of Action:

– Work is generally monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are generally provided
– Uses available guidelines to make appropriate adaptations to routine situations and refers other situations to supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and/or the University
– May communicate with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly and accurately both verbally and in written materials that may be intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 5
• Minimum – $38,300.00
• MidPoint – $46,900.00
• Maximum – $55,500.00