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The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) and its five constituent surveys—the Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, and Illinois State Water Survey—serve the state of Illinois and beyond by providing rigorous, objective scientific research, data, and expertise to help understand, manage, and protect our essential natural resources. With around 600 full-time staff, PRI is one of the largest research institutes at the University of Illinois.

PRI is based in Urbana-Champaign, a diverse, affordable, micro-urban community. Learn more about Urbana-Champaign. 

U of I HR provides more information about applying to and working at the University of Illinois, including available benefits.

If you have questions about any PRI open positions or the application process, contact a member of our human resources team:

blog posts

  • Hazard Mitigation Planning

    Feb 25, 2025 10:45 am

    The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is seeking to hire an experienced Hazard Mitigation Planner (Official Title: Scientific Specialist, Hazard Mitigation Planning ) to lead CHAMP's Resilience and Mitigation (ResMit) team in developing and implementing comprehensive hazard mitigation strategies, managing FEMA grants, and advancing innovative resilience solutions. Direct technical and programmatic activities related to FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) and Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) programs. Provide strategic leadership in expanding CHAMP's mitigation and resilience initiatives.

    The ISWS CHAMP group has many funded projects that assess local flood hazards, identify high-risk areas, and engage community partners to inform, educate, and empower others to take action in preventing losses from natural hazards. CHAMP is a Cooperating Technical Partner with the Federal Emergency Management Agency creating maps and products as reflected on https://illinoisfloodmaps.org/.

    ISWS is part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Our research and service programs provide citizens, industries, and government agencies at all levels with timely, science-based information and analyses necessary to manage our water resources wisely for economic development and a sustainable environment.   Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.

  • Undergraduate Hourly, Graduate Hourly, Academic Hourly

    Feb 25, 2025 6:00 am

    We are seeking up to three motivated individuals to participate in and support original research and technology development in one or more areas pertaining to carbon capture & utilization, critical materials recovery, and the beneficial utilization of waste materials. Responsibilities include participating in laboratory and bench-scale experiments and analytical characterization to evaluate new materials and processes, assisting in the assembly and troubleshooting of experimental setups, analyzing experimental data, supporting modeling efforts, performing literature searches, as well as preparing reports and documentation.

  • Black-Billed Cuckoo Field Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey

    Feb 21, 2025 4:00 pm

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking 2 field technicians to assist on an M.S. research project studying Black-billed Cuckoo (BBCU) migration. The position will begin in Mid May and run through Mid July. 

  • Chemist - Illinois State Water Survey, PRI, Illinois

    Feb 21, 2025 1:00 pm

    The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is seeking to hire an Analytical Chemist (Official Title: Senior Scientific Specialist, Analytical Chemistry) to conduct chemical analyses, ensure an adequate supply of required reagents and supplies, and maintain analytical instruments.). This position will focus on analysis of routine water samples for a variety of organic and inorganic parameters including metals, ions and nutrients. Sample analysis is performed using standard operating procedures for Ion Chromatography (IC), Inductively Couple Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Flow Injection Analysis (FIA), and other techniques.

  • Fisheries/Aquatic Ecology Research Technician (Hourly): Kaskaskia Biological Station: Sullivan, Illinois - Application Deadline: April 4, 2025

    Feb 18, 2025 1:15 pm

    The Kaskaskia Biological Station with the Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking a Fisheries/Aquatic Ecology Research Technician to conduct field and laboratory work in support of research projects on sportfish management and invasion biology in lakes and rivers. 

    Thi position is located at the Kaskaksia Biological Station in Sullivan, Illinios. 

  • Visiting Assistant Research Scientist, Engineering - Illinois State Geological Survey - Deadline to Apply 6:00 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2025

    Feb 11, 2025 10:00 am

    The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire a Visiting Assistant Research Scientist, Engineering to participate in and conduct original research on the current and new projects on the development of advanced coal-based materials for energy/environmental applications and perform other relevant activities. Conceive, recommend, and initiate new research in these areas.  Please visit jobs.illinois.edu for further information regarding application procedures, or you may contact Jill Billerman at jrandell@illinois.edu for information on the job position. Application deadline is 6:00 p.m. (CST) on Friday, February 28, 2025.

  • Visiting Scientific Specialist, Environmental Assessments - Illinois State Geological Survey - Deadline to Apply 6:00 p.m. April 1, 2025

    Feb 11, 2025 8:45 am

    The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire a Visiting Scientific Specialist, Environmental Assessment Researcher to perform sponsored research on environmental assessments.  The assessments will involve evaluating potential environmental and geologic hazards and risks for Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) infrastructure improvement projects. IDOT's infrastructure projects range in size and can involve anything from a single property to hundreds of properties across many miles of existing or future highways.  IDOT uses the assessments completed by ISGS to protect workers and public safety, to reduce IDOT's liability, and to minimize delays by operating in an efficient and cost-effective manner.  Please visit jobs.illinois.edu for further information regarding application procedures, or you may contact Jill Billerman at jrandell@illinois.edu. Application deadline is 6:00 p.m. (CST) on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

  • Survey Director- Illinois State Water Survey/PRI

    Feb 10, 2025 11:00 am

    The Illinois State Water Survey is seeking a Survey Director who will provide strategic direction and overall administration for the Survey and administer research activities by conceiving, recommending, implementing, directing, and participating in scientific research, focused on the selected candidate’s area of study, while contributing to the overall scientific mission of the Prairie Research Institute. This position will also hold a Principal Research Scientist job. This is an in-person position based in Champaign, Illinois.

    The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) has a 130-year history of providing citizens, industries, and government agencies at all levels with timely, science-based information and analyses necessary to manage our water resources wisely for economic development and a sustainable environment. The 125 scientists, technicians, and students conduct state-of-the-art research and collect, analyze, archive, and disseminate high-quality, objective data and technical information. The ISWS has been at the forefront of many firsts and contributed to hydrologic and climate concepts still used nationally and internationally today. (https://doi.org/10.1111/1752-1688.13139)  

  • Visiting Senior Scientific Specialist, Botany - Deadline to Apply: February 28, 2025 by 6:00 PM (CST)

    Feb 10, 2025 10:15 am

    The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), a leader in investigating and preserving biological resources in Illinois and beyond, is seeking a Visiting Botanist who will lead and support botanical research, conduct fieldwork, and provide data analysis efforts within the Chicago Region and the Tollway Network. 

    This in-person position is located in Champaign, Illinois on the University of Illinois Campus. 

  • Visiting Senior Scientific Specialist, Terrestrial Ecology - Deadline to Apply: February 28, 2025 by 6:00 PM (CST)

    Feb 10, 2025 10:00 am

    The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), a leader in investigating and preserving biological resources in Illinois and beyond, is seeking a Visiting Terrestrial Ecologist who will lead and support bat ecology research, conduct fieldwork, and participate in data analysis efforts within the Chicago Region and the Tollway Network. 

    This in-person position is located in Champaign, Illinois on the University of Illinois Campus. 

  • Seasonal Aquatic Field Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey

    Feb 6, 2025 1:30 pm

    We are seeking up to four (4) field technicians to assist with aquatic research for summer 2025, with the possibility for extension depending on funding and programmatic needs. The position will be based in Champaign, Illinois. Housing is not provided. 

  • Seasonal Insect Survey Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey - Deadline to Apply: March 9, 2025

    Feb 5, 2025 12:15 pm

    The Illinois Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program is seeking several qualified and self-motivated individuals to work as part of its field crops monitoring team. Successful candidates will travel throughout Illinois, conducting surveys aimed at detecting new pests in corn and soybeans. Work will also be done in the lab sorting, identifying, and cataloging insect pests. This position will be located in Champaign, Illinois.

  • Senior Scientific Specialist, Archaeological Collections- Illinois State Archaeological Survey - Deadline to Apply 6:00 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2025

    Feb 5, 2025 9:30 am

    The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire a Senior Scientific Specialist, Archaeological Collections who will be responsible for the management, inventory, documentation, and care of grant-funded archeological collections curated with the Illinois State Archaeological Survey.  

  • Director for IDOT Projects - Prairie Research Institute

    Feb 4, 2025 1:00 pm

    The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is seeking a dynamic Director for IDOT Projects to coordinate, organize, and manage the various IDOT programs and projects at the Institute. This position will implement strategic planning and maintain relationships with project stakeholders, including colleagues within PRI and IDOT, and act as the primary liaison for critical external relationships. This individual will be responsible for establishing goals and ensuring that staff and resources are directed efficiently toward achieving IDOT project goals and research objectives. This is an in-person position based in Champaign, Illinois. 

  • Director, Roadside Ecology Center, Prairie Research Institute

    Feb 4, 2025 1:00 pm

    The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is seeking a dynamic Director for our Roadside Ecology Center. As a member of the PRI Leadership Team, the Director will participate in strategic project leadership, and overall administration for the development, coordination, and implementation of scientific research.   

    This is an in-person position based in Champaign, Illinois, with competitive compensation and the chance to collaborate with top experts across diverse disciplines. 

  • Senior Scientific Specialist, Archaeology- Illinois State Archaeological Survey - Deadline to Apply 6:00 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2025

    Feb 4, 2025 11:15 am

    The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire a Senior Scientific Specialist, Archaeology to conduct and lead field archaeological investigations, analysis, and reporting for Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Forest Preserve of Cook County (FPCC) archaeological projects.  Please visit http://humanresources.illinois.edu/job-seekers/ for further information regarding application procedures, or you may contact Jill Billerman at jrandell@illinois.edu for questions about the position. The application deadline is 6:00 p.m. (CST) on Friday, March 21, 2025.

  • Scientific Specialist, Archaeology - Illinois State Archaeological Survey - Deadline to Apply 6:00 p.m. February 18, 2025

    Feb 3, 2025 3:15 pm

    The Illinois State Archaeological Survey (ISAS) is seeking to hire a Scientific Specialist, Archaeology to assist with all levels of compliance projects including background research, map production, fieldwork, artifact analysis, and report writing for Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Forest Preserve of Cook County (FPCC) archaeological projects.

  • Stream and River Research Technicians (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey - Deadline to Apply: March 31, 2025

    Jan 30, 2025 12:15 pm

    The Stream Ecology lab at the Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking up to 6 research technicians to conduct bioassessments of aquatic life in streams and rivers in Illinois.

    The position will be based in Champaign Illinois, but travel will occur throughout the state. 

  • Botany Field Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey: Deadline: March 17, 2025

    Jan 29, 2025 10:00 am

    The Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking up to 2 Field Technicians to work with Survey botanists to conduct vegetation and seed dispersal surveys.

  • Part-Time Green Processes Research Assistant

    Jan 27, 2025 8:30 am

    The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. ISTC integrates applied research, technical assistance, and information services to advance efforts in the areas of pollution prevention; water and energy conservation; and materials recycling and beneficial reuse. ISTC is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Learn more at https://prairie.illinois.edu/about/jobs/