Research Jobs in Pennsylvania
Research jobs in Pennsylvania are in strong demand, concentrated in the life sciences, healthcare, higher education, and defense sectors, with openings at every level from research assistant to principal investigator. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and State College anchor the hiring market, home to major institutions and employers such as the University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and GlaxoSmithKline. Clinical research, biomedical research, and policy research are among the most sought-after specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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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 Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics is seeking a graduate student for the part-time job of Research Assistant.
Job duties to include:
research on non-nuclear massive black holes with Rubin Observatory data
Requirements, qualifications, and/or competencies:
Current graduate student
Schedule:
Expected hours will be approximately 4 hours/week.
Compensation:
The starting rate for this job is $ 21.50 /hour .
The selected candidate will report to Dr. Charlotte Ward . Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.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.
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PA State Labor Law Poster
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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 Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics is seeking a graduate student for the part-time job of Research Assistant.
Job duties to include:
research on non-nuclear massive black holes with Rubin Observatory data
Requirements, qualifications, and/or competencies:
Current graduate student
Schedule:
Expected hours will be approximately 4 hours/week.
Compensation:
The starting rate for this job is $ 21.50 /hour .
The selected candidate will report to Dr. Charlotte Ward . Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.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.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
See All 166+ Research Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research JobsResearch Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Penn State University38
- University of Pittsburgh21
- University of Pennsylvania20
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia16
- Carnegie Mellon University12
Top Industries Hiring
- Education19
- Healthcare & Medical Services6
- Science & Research2
- Insurance1
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in a relevant scientific, social science, or technical field
- Experience designing and conducting research studies or experiments in a laboratory or field setting
- Proficiency with statistical software such as SPSS, SAS, R, or Python for data analysis
- Demonstrated ability to prepare research reports, grant proposals, or peer-reviewed publications
- Familiarity with IRB protocols, research compliance regulations, or federal grant requirements
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting findings to diverse audiences
Research Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research in Pennsylvania?
Most research positions in Pennsylvania require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, with many roles at universities, health systems, and pharmaceutical firms preferring a master's or doctoral degree. Pennsylvania does not issue a single state license for researchers broadly, but clinical research coordinators often pursue credentials such as the ACRP Certified Clinical Research Coordinator designation. Entry-level candidates typically begin as research assistants or associates at Pennsylvania universities, hospitals, or industry labs before advancing.
Which companies hire researchs in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring researchs in Pennsylvania right now include Penn State University, University of Pittsburgh, and University of Pennsylvania, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Pennsylvania's dense concentration of major health systems, Ivy League and research-intensive universities, and global pharmaceutical companies headquartered in the Philadelphia suburbs makes it one of the more active research hiring markets on the East Coast.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most research jobs?
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and University Park consistently lead Pennsylvania for research job openings. Philadelphia dominates due to its cluster of academic medical centers, biotech firms, and federal agency offices, while Pittsburgh draws from Carnegie Mellon, the University of Pittsburgh, and UPMC, and State College reflects Penn State's large research enterprise and affiliated industry partnerships.
Are there remote research jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, though availability varies considerably by specialty. About 71% of research openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting that many research roles require on-site lab access, patient contact, or specialized equipment. Policy research, health economics, data analysis, and literature review roles are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements within the field.
How can I get hired as a research in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a research assistant or junior research coordinator role at one of Pennsylvania's major universities or health systems, where many positions are designed for candidates with a bachelor's degree and minimal prior experience. Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh, and Jefferson Health regularly post entry-level openings and run structured programs for new graduates. Building familiarity with IRB submissions and at least one statistical software package strengthens a candidate's application significantly.
Where can I find and apply to research jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to research jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the state. Search the available positions, find roles that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 166+ Research Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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