Undergraduate Research Assistant - Quality Talk

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Quality Talk research team is seeking an undergraduate research assistant to work on our federally funded research project housed in the College of Education. This employee will provide support for various research activities, including literature searches, data management, and processing and analyzing data.

The project is funded by the National Science Foundation and is aimed at enhancing mathematics teacher educators’ capacity to support preservice teachers developing pedagogical knowledge and skills through reasoning-intensive mathematics discussions. The model and professional development approach used in the project, Quality Talk, has been shown in previous studies to increase teachers’ discussion-based pedagogical content knowledge and efficacy as well as students’ critical-analytic thinking and reasoning.

Responsibilities include deidentifying and processing video discourse data, as well as data management tasks such as scanning, scoring, and ensuring data integrity. Other research tasks may also be assigned. Training for these skills will be provided as needed.

Compensation for this part-time position starts at $15/hr

Required Applicant Prerequisites:

• Enrollment in a relevant undergraduate program (e.g., Education, Human Development, Psychology, Mathematics, or Statistics)
• Successful completion of CITI Training
• Commitment to working 30 hours/per week
• In-person work on the UP campus of Penn State in a group setting

Preferred Applicant Qualities:

• Knowledge and/or prior experience with elementary and/or high school mathematics, science, and English language arts teaching and learning
• Prior research experience in any of the following: web design and development; online engagement; video coding and analysis; curriculum development; instrument and scoring rubric development; data management; and/or qualitative data analysis

Applicants must apply online. Questions regarding this position can be directed to Emilee Herman (View email address on swooped.co). Applicants should express interest by May 12, 2025, but materials will be accepted until the position is filled.

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Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 

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 View phone number on swooped.co.

University Park, PA