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 College of Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory seeks to fill a part-time laboratory assistant analyst position at 10 to 20 hours per week beginning in January or February and increasing to 30 to 40 hours per week from May through August 2025. This is an excellent opportunity for a student or recent graduate to gain valuable laboratory experience.

The Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory (AASL) provides analytical testing and research-based recommendations to support sustainable resource management decisions. The lab offers comprehensive analyses of soil, media, water, plant tissue, manure, compost, and other agricultural materials.

This position primarily assists with receiving, sorting, and preparing sample materials for analysis, including soil, media, plant, manure, biosolids, and compost. Sample preparation includes drying, grinding, mixing, subsampling, and extractions. Additional tasks include operating analytical equipment such as pipettes, balances, pH and conductivity electrodes, filtration manifolds, drying ovens, muffle furnaces, and dishwashers.  This position also assists with data collection using the Laboratory Information Management System. All tasks will be performed as specified in the standard operating procedures manual.

Preference will be given to current Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences undergraduate students. Previous laboratory experience is preferred but not required. Interested candidates are invited to submit a current resume and a brief cover letter summarizing relevant training and experience with their application in WorkDay.

Inquiries about the position may be directed to John Spargo (jts29@psu.edu).

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential eleme