New

College of IST Lab Assistant for the IST Open-Source Lab w/ Dr. Fonkam

The Pennsylvania State University
remote work
United States, Pennsylvania, University Park
201 Old Main (Show on map)
Jan 08, 2026
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, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants. JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS The College of IST is seeking applicants for part-time job of Lab Assistant for the IST Open-Source Lab. Job duties to include: Key Responsibilities 1. Technology Curation & Lab Infrastructure (40%): Identify, evaluate, deploy, and maintain a suite of relevant open-source software and platforms to support AI modeling, simulation, data visualization, and collaborative development (e.g., MLflow, GAMA Platform, JupyterHub, GitLab, Vensim). Manage the lab's physical and virtual computing infrastructure, including workstations, servers, and cloud-based resources. Ensure a robust, secure, and accessible computing environment for diverse users and projects. Develop and maintain documentation for software tools, setup procedures, and best practices. 3. Lab Operations & Community Support (25%): Serve as the primary point of contact for lab users, providing technical support and guidance on tool usage. Help organize and potentially lead workshops, hackathons, or demo days to showcase lab capabilities. Collaborate with faculty and students to understand research and instructional needs, proactively suggesting and implementing technical solutions. Manage lab access, scheduling, and inventory. 2. Content Development & Branding (35%): Lead the comprehensive revamp of the lab's public-facing content, including its website, event schedules and promotional materials. Craft a compelling new brand identity (visual and narrative) that communicates the lab's focus on Open-Source AI Systems Modeling & Computer Simulation. Develop engaging tutorials, workshop materials, and "project starter kits" to lower the barrier to entry for students and researchers. Create clear, visually appealing guides and documentation for the lab's capabilities and available technologies. Requirements, qualifications, and/or competencies: Who You Are (Required Qualifications): Proven Knowledge & Expertise in Information Sciences & Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. Demonstrated hands-on experience deploying, configuring, and troubleshooting software in Linux/Unix environments. Strong familiarity with the open-source software ecosystem and community practices. Proven ability to create clear technical documentation and user guides. Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects. Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with a passion for helping others learn and succeed. Preferred Qualifications: Experience with AI/ML toolsets (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn), simulation platforms, or data science workflows. Skills in web development (e.g., static site generators, basic HTML/CSS) and graphic design tools for branding. Experience in an academic, research, or advanced maker-space environment. A portfolio or examples of previous technical writing, system documentation, or public-facing content creation. What We Offer: The unique opportunity to architect a new, high-visibility academic lab from an early stage. A collaborative and innovative work environment within a top-tier research university. Professional development opportunities to stay at the forefront of open-source and AI technologies. Compensation: The starting rate for this job is $20/hr 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. The Pennsylvania State University 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. 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