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.
This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
JOB TITLE: Researcher
LOCATION: University Park, PA
DEPARTMENT: NCEMS
COLLEGE/UNIT: Huck
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Huck Institutes of The Life Sciences (The Huck) and the U.S. National Science Foundation National Synthesis Center for Emergence in the Molecular and Cellular Sciences (NCEMS
The successful candidate will contribute to a dynamic and collaborative research environment and will work closely with internal and external faculty, staff, students, and partners. This position is intended to support an individual in the early stages of a research career who will contribute to ongoing research efforts while continuing to build expertise in computational and data-intensive synthesis science. The role is primarily research-focused and emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, reproducible analytical approaches, and scholarly output.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Advance the NCEMS mission through participation in community-scale synthesis research in the molecular and cellular sciences
Contribute to research activities involving computational biology, bioinformatics, biological data analysis, and related quantitative approaches
Analyze and interpret complex molecular and cellular datasets
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across NCEMS and with external research partners
Contribute to the preparation of technical reports, manuscripts, presentations, and other research outputs
Support the development and application of reproducible and open-science-oriented research workflows, tools, and resources
Participate in scientific meetings, project discussions, and other research activities that contribute to the progress of NCEMS initiatives
Assist with mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, as appropriate, in support of research activities
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Biosciences, Plant Sciences, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field
Demonstrated experience in computational biology, bioinformatics, AI-driven biological data analysis, and scalable open-science research infrastructure and training
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated ability to contribute to research products such as analyses, manuscripts, technical reports, presentations, or related scholarly outputs
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience working with large-scale biological datasets
Experience with reproducible computational workflows and open-science research practices
Experience contributing to externally funded research projects
Experience working collaboratively across disciplines and with research teams
Record of publications, manuscripts in preparation, technical reports, or other scholarly contributions
Interest in community-scale synthesis research in the molecular and cellular sciences
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applicants must submit:
A cover letter describing relevant experience and interests
A current curriculum vitae (CV)
Contact information for three professional references
Applications must be submitted electronically through Penn State’s employment system.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.
For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
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 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.