State College Research Jobs Overview
Do you often ask questions that are difficult to answer? Are you an introvert with a curious mind? If so, you may want to consider a career in research, where you can get paid to search for answers to the unknown. Research jobs span all scientific fields, from the social sciences to natural science.
There are many different types of research positions in both higher education and the private sector. Researchers may choose to work in academia so they can enjoy independence—at a commercial lab, your aim as a researcher is to serve a business's goals rather than to answer your own burning questions.
Common academic research positions include:
- Research assistant (RA): RAs assist senior researchers in collecting and analyzing data, reviewing literature, preparing reports, and writing articles. For studies involving human subjects, research assistants also recruit and interview study participants.
- Research associate: Being a research associate is often a postdoc job—a temporary position which allows Ph.D. graduates to continue their training under a supervisor.
- Research fellow: Research fellows typically work on a specific study. This means that the salary is paid by grants or an endowment and the position is temporary.
- Research scientist: Research scientists plan and conduct experiments, interpret results, and write academic articles. They also supervise junior researchers and work on grant proposals and presentations. Some research scientists at academic institutions are also part-time professors.
You can expand your search for higher ed jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in State College, Pennsylvania
Home to Penn State’s main campus in central Pennsylvania, State College is inevitably defined by the hulking influence of university life. Beaver Stadium hosts the Nittany Lions football team, a major local attraction with several Big Ten Conference championship wins. Meanwhile, the sizeable Palmer Museum of Art features a permanent collection of over 10,000 objects—extending across many centuries and cultures—in addition to rotating exhibits. Densely populated (with the greater environs nicknamed Happy Valley), State College is full of quality-of-life assets, from loads of parks and walking trails to multiple libraries, good schools, friendly residents, cultural activities, and a bustling downtown district.
As for State College jobs, academia reigns supreme here, with work widely available in the education field. Other important sectors include food services, retail, construction, and government. Housing and the overall cost of living tend to be on the higher end, but well-paying jobs with upward mobility, low crime rates, and utilities and transportation expenses that are cheaper than the national average make up for this. If you need more options, take a look at Altoona and Harrisburg nearby, as well as Pittsburgh further west.
Update Your State College Research Resume
Since research positions require a lot of writing, having a well-written resume and cover letter is essential. Start by reading our resume writing tips and cover letter tips. Then learn more about what specifics to include in our examples of a research assistant cover letter and a research scientist resume.
How Much Do Research Jobs Pay in State College, Pennsylvania?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in research jobs in State College, Pennsylvania, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median research associate pay in State College is $30,484 per year, which is 103% lower than the national average.
Find Your Next State College Research Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
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