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• 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 position is part of a pilot study housed in the Biobehavioral Health Department at Penn State University. A key responsibility is conducting in-person intake and follow-up interviews at the BBH and HHD buildings; therefore, applicants must be physically located in State College and able to work on-site at the University Park campus. Availability during the week of January 5 is especially valuable.

The study evaluates a novel mind-body intervention that incorporates guided writing activities, brief resistance exercises (air squats), and slow-paced breathing. Participants complete 30-minute Zoom sessions five days per week over a four-week period. The research assistant will lead these Zoom-based sessions, which require consistent availability for 2–3-hour time blocks each weekday (e.g., 5:00–8:00 p.m., Monday–Friday) and occasional weekend availability for participant scheduling needs.

SAMPLE WORK ACTIVITIES:

·        Deliver live, protocol-guided intervention sessions to participants via Zoom, including writing prompts, 2-minute air squats, and breathing exercises

·        Recruit, screen, and schedule participants according to IRB-approved procedures

·        Describe study goals, procedures, and privacy protections to participants; obtain informed consent as needed

·        Collect self-report survey data and manage wearable data (e.g., fitness tracker output)

·        Enter, clean, and organize participant data using REDCap or similar platforms

·        Monitor intervention fidelity and participant adherence; maintain detailed records

·        Attend weekly team meetings and contribute to study operations and troubleshooting

·        Assist with IRB documentation and compliance tracking

·        Perform other research-related activities as assigned by the Principal Investigator

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

·        Interest in behavioral medicine and p