Part-Time Research Assistant – Lieurance Invasion Ecology Lab

Dr. Lieurance in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management currently has an opening for paid part-time research assistant(s). The successful candidate will assist with sponsored research conducting invasion status assessments on non-native species present in the US.

• training with US Dept. of Agriculture sponsors
• completing status assessments of non-native plants
• conducting literature reviews
• assisting in reviewing completed assessments
• attending regular meetings
• and other tasks related to invasion assessments.

Please submit an application with a resume/CV and short statement detailing your interest. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position(s) have been filled.

Context:
This agreement will support the use of the USDA-APHIS-PPQ Weed Status Assessment (WSA), a process that helps determine how invasive certain high-risk non-native plants are in the United States. The results will guide which weeds should be prioritized for classical biological control - using natural enemies, such as insects or pathogens, to manage them. In the past, these targets were often chosen based on expert opinion or requests from local land managers.

While valuable, that approach can be subjective. The WSA uses a more evidence-based method, combining scientific data, modeling, and input from stakeholders to make decisions that are more effective, efficient, and transparent. It looks at where a plant is currently found, how quickly it could spread, the damage it causes, and how difficult it is to control. This information helps ensure that biocontrol programs focus on the species where they can have the greatest impact.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

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.

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 . 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.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom - it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world.

Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania's sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters - more than half a million strong - driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows;
Integrity, Respect, Responsibility,…