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Research Assistant Software Developer Jobs in State College, PA

Penn State University

Research Assistants

University Park, PA · On-site

$18.75 - $26/hr

The successful candidates will assist in developing large language model (LLM) applications for ... Strong programming skills in Python; * Familiarity with machine learning libraries or NLP tools (e ...

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Research Assistant Software Developer information

See State College, PA salary details

$28.9K

$98.1K

$236.2K

How much do research assistant software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for research assistant software developer in State College, PA is $98,059.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,100.00 and $103,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Research Assistant Software Developers when working on interdisciplinary research projects?

Research Assistant Software Developers often collaborate with researchers from diverse academic backgrounds, which can introduce challenges in communication and aligning technical requirements with research goals. Adapting software solutions to evolving project needs and integrating new methodologies or datasets can require quick learning and flexibility. Balancing rigorous coding standards with rapid prototyping, especially under tight research deadlines, is another frequent challenge. However, this role provides valuable exposure to cutting-edge research and fosters strong problem-solving and teamwork skills.

What are Research Assistant Software Developers?

Research Assistant Software Developers are professionals who support research projects by developing, maintaining, and optimizing software tools and applications. They work alongside researchers, helping to design experiments, process data, and create algorithms or simulations necessary for the research. Their role bridges the gap between software engineering and academic research, ensuring that technical solutions meet the specific needs of scientific studies. This position often requires strong programming skills, familiarity with research methodologies, and the ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams.

What is the difference between Research Assistant Software Developer vs Data Analyst?

AspectResearch Assistant Software DeveloperData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS, Software Engineering, or related fieldBachelor's in Statistics, Data Science, or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, tech companiesBusiness, finance, healthcare, or tech industries
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutions, tech firmsCorporations, consulting firms, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Research Assistant Software Developer and a Data Analyst lies in their focus areas. Research Assistant Software Developers primarily work on developing software tools for research purposes, often within academic or research settings. Data Analysts focus on interpreting data to inform business decisions. Both roles require programming skills and analytical thinking, but their end goals and work environments differ.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Research Assistant Software Developer, and why are they important?

A Research Assistant Software Developer should have solid programming skills, a background in computer science or a related field, and experience with software development methodologies. Familiarity with tools like Git, Python or Java, and data analysis libraries, as well as knowledge of research-specific platforms, is commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the development of robust research software, facilitate collaboration with research teams, and contribute to the advancement of scientific projects.
What job categories do people searching Research Assistant Software Developer jobs in State College, PA look for? The top searched job categories for Research Assistant Software Developer jobs in State College, PA are:
What cities near State College, PA are hiring for Research Assistant Software Developer jobs? Cities near State College, PA with the most Research Assistant Software Developer job openings:
Research Assistant Software Developer jobs near you

Research Computing Software Engineer

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University

University Park, PA • On-site

$200K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University is seeking a Research Computing Software Engineer to join their Visualization and Decision Support Division. The role involves developing and maintaining software solutions to support the research community's computational and data analysis needs, while leading a team of engineers and researchers.
Responsibilities:
• Develop, deploy, enhance, and maintain software applications and tools to support research computing needs
• Implement efficient algorithms and data structures to handle large datasets and complex computations
• Write clean, well-documented, and maintainable code using modern programming languages
• Integrate software solutions with existing research computing infrastructure, including cloud platforms
• Collaborate with other engineers and researchers to ensure seamless integration and functionality of software tools within the research environment
• Analyze and optimize the performance of software applications, ensuring they meet the high demands of computational research
• Identify and address performance bottlenecks, memory usage issues, and other technical challenges
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for software issues, assisting researchers in overcoming obstacles
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for software tools, including user guides, technical specifications, and troubleshooting procedures
• Stay up to date with advancements in software engineering and computational research technologies
• Propose and implement new features, improvements, and updates to enhance the functionality and usability of software tools
• Lead or participate in software development projects, including planning, development, testing, and deployment phases
• Manage project timelines, deliverables, and milestones to ensure successful and timely completion of software initiatives
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management
Qualifications:
Required:
• Code analysis
• Cross-team collaboration
• Data Analysis
• Presentation Skills
• Programming
• Software architecture
• Software development
• Software testing
• Technology acumen
• Trend analysis
• Bachelor's Degree
• 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted (if filled as Research Computing Software Engineer - Senior Professional)
• 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted (if filled as Research Computing Software Engineer - Advanced Professional)
• Ability to obtain a government security clearance
• Must be a U.S. citizen
Preferred:
• Active or recently active TS/SCI clearance
• A Master's degree in Geography is preferred
Company:
The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University is an integral part of one of the leading research universities in the nation. Founded in 1945, the company is headquartered in State College, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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