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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
We are looking for a highly motivated undergraduate student to join the Materials for Extreme Environments team of The Applied Research Lab (ARL) at Penn State. You will assist with various activities on a broad range of programs involving cold spray, sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, hot pressing, plating, and microelectronics fabrication.
You will:
- Perform material synthesis, processing, characterization, device fabrication process simulation for fabrication, and development of advanced materials and material systems.
- Development of finite element models
- Set up and monitor experimental designs
- Compile and analyze data for a wide range of materials and coatings.
Required skills/knowledge include:
- Hands on mechanical equipment experience, machining, and design work.
Students studying Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Science, Aerospace Engineering, or Nuclear Engineering are encouraged to apply.
The successful candidates will work up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and 40 hours/week over the summer. This is a paid internship located at ARL’s Innovation Park location (230 building); relocation and housing are not provided.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.
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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Skills Required
- Undergraduate student enrollment
- Preferred majors: Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Science, Aerospace Engineering, Nuclear Engineering
- Hands-on mechanical equipment experience, machining, and design work
- Ability to develop finite element models
- Experience with material synthesis, processing, characterization, and microelectronics fabrication
- Ability to obtain a government security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- Successful completion of background checks and pre-employment drug screen
- Availability to work up to 20 hours/week during semesters and 40 hours/week in summer
- Willingness to work on-site at ARL Innovation Park (relocation and housing not provided)
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
Penn State University Insights
What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
