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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

  • Student Hourly - Operations Intern

    Apr 12, 2024 1:15 pm

    The Prairie Research Institute and the Illinois Water Resources Center, a multidisciplinary research institute at the University of Illinois, is seeking a motivated, resourceful, and tech-savvy undergraduate student to join our team.

  • Aquatic/Fisheries Field Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey - Havana, Illinois - Application Deadline: April 30, 2024

    Apr 9, 2024 2:00 pm

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking multiple field technicians to conduct applied research in aquatic ecology and large river systems throughout the state of Illinois. Technicians will assist large river ecologists in the collection of standardized long-term river monitoring data with additional targeted data collection. This position will be 40 hours per week and will be located in Havana, Illinois. 

  • Analytical Chemistry - Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, Prairie Research Institute

    Apr 5, 2024 10:30 am

    The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) is seeking to hire an Analytical Chemist (Official Title: Visiting Senior Scientific Specialist, Analytical Chemistry) to plan, conduct, supervise, and formulate collaborations on research related to wastewater treatment and emerging contaminants issues  (aimed at advancing the characterization of coal combustion residual (CCR) effluents.

  • Director & Principal Research Scientist - Illinois Natural History Survey - Deadline to Apply: April 30, 2024 by 6:00pm

    Apr 4, 2024 8:15 am

     The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) which investigates and documents the biological resources of Illinois and other areas and acquires and provides natural history information that can be used to promote the common understanding, conservation, and management of these resources is seeking a Director who will provide strategic direction and overall administration for the Survey while also serving in a Principal Research Scientist role to administer research activities of the Survey by conceiving, recommending, implementing, directing, and participating in scientific research focused on the selected candidates area of study while contributing to the overall scientific mission of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI). This is an in-person position based in Champaign, Illinois. Applications must be received by 6:00pm (CST) on April 30, 2024. 

  • Fisheries/Aquatic Ecology Research Technician (Hourly): Sam Parr Biological Station: Kinmundy, Illinois - Application Deadline: May 31, 2024

    Mar 28, 2024 9:00 am

    The Sam Parr Biological Station is seeking research technicians to conduct field and experimental work as well as laboratory tasks in support of research projects on sportfish management and invasion biology in lakes and ponds. This position is based out of the Sam Parr Biological Station in Kinmundy, Illinois. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2024. 

  • Scientific Specialist, Archaeology - Illinois State Archaeological Survey

    Mar 27, 2024 3:45 pm

    The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire a Scientific Specialist, Archaeology to assist with all levels of research projects including background research, fieldwork, artifact analysis, and report writing as well as post contact material recovery, analysis, and report writing.    Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

  • Fisheries/Aquatic Ecology Research Technician (Hourly): Kaskaskia Biological Station: Sullivan, Illinois - Application Deadline: May 3, 2024

    Mar 27, 2024 12:00 pm

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking Research Technicians to conduct field and laboratory work in support of research projects on sportfish management and invasion biology in lakes and rivers. This position is based out of the Kaskaskia Biological Station in Sullivan, Illinois. Deadline to apply: May 3, 2024

  • Macroinvertebrate Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey : Macomb, Illinois - Deadline to Apply: April 20, 2024

    Mar 27, 2024 11:00 am

    The Illinois River Biological Station is seeking two technicians to conduct applied research in aquatic ecology and large river systems and process riverine samples for aquatic macroinvertebrates.  throughout the state of Illinois. This position will be 40 hours per week and will be based in Macomb, Illinois. 

  • Aquatic Ecology Field Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey - Macomb, IL

    Mar 25, 2024 1:45 pm

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking field technicians (1-3) to conduct applied research in aquatic ecology and large river systems throughout the state of Illinois, focusing on the Mississippi River. Technicians will assist large river ecologists in the collection of standardized long-term river monitoring data with additional targeted data collection and lab sample processing. This position will be 40 hours per week and will be based in Macomb, Illinois.  

  • Visiting Scientific Specialist, Geographic Information Science - Illinois State Geological Survey

    Mar 23, 2024 10:30 am

    The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire a Visiting Scientific Specialist, Geographic Information Science (up to 2 depending on applicant pool and programmatic need) to assist and collaborate with an interdisciplinary project team to 1) conduct geospatial analysis of geologic, engineering, environmental, and societal datasets, 2) facilitate access to geospatial data and analysis products internally and on the web, and 3) help develop map and data products with a goal of translating complex geological and social analysis into decision support-input and community engagement tools that are easy to understand.  Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

  • Visiting Scientific Specialist, Wetlands Geology - Illinois State Geological Survey

    Mar 23, 2024 9:30 am

    The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire a Visiting Scientific Specialist, Wetlands Geology (up to 3 depending on applicant pool and programmatic need) to participate in specialized assessment and monitoring of the hydrogeology and geochemistry of wetlands, streams, bioswales, and other related environments. This position is for a specialist dedicated to field data collection and analysis to support Illinois state agencies under their environmental programs, including the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Tollway, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. This position will support the analysis and reporting for compliance with various federal (e.g., Clean Water Act) and state regulatory programs.  Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

  • Assistant Research Scientist, Large River Ecology - Illinois Natural History Survey - Application Deadline: April 19, 2024

    Mar 21, 2024 8:30 am

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking an Assistant Research Scientist with a broad background in large river ecology and experimental design to synthesize diverse existing data and identify important data gaps in space or topic area within the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) from Pool 14 to Pool 25 and develop potential approaches for addressing these data gaps.  The scientist would work as part of the Long Term Resource Monitoring (LTRM) element of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration program. The position is based in Havana, Illinois, at the Illinois River Biological Station (https://illinois-river-bio-station.inhs.illinois.edu/) where the applicant will join an interdisciplinary community of researchers and graduate students.  Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on April 19, 2024.

  • Undergraduate Hourly Technician (Entomology) - Illinois Natural History Survey/PRI

    Mar 15, 2024 10:15 am

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking Undergraduate Students to work on research projects related to the ecology, behavior, and management of corn and soybean insect pests (principally western corn rootworm beetles/larvae) in corn, soybean, or other crops. This position will be based in Champaign, Illinois. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. 

  • Archaeological Field Technicians – Northern Illinois Field Station - Illinois State Archaeological Survey

    Mar 13, 2024 9:30 am

    The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire Archaeological Field Technicians (Academic Hourly Assistants) to serve as excavators and surveyors capable of performing basic archaeological identification, interpretation, and recordation tasks under the direct supervision of a Research Archaeologist. Duties include, but are not limited to, participation in Phase I field surveys, Phase II site testing, Phase III archaeological mitigation projects, and associated analysis activities based at the ISAS Northern Illinois Field Station in Elgin, Illinois. These are full-time (40 hours per week), non-benefits eligible, field/laboratory positions with an hourly rate of $16 to $18 depending on qualifications.

  • Grants and Contracts Associate or Specialist - Prairie Research Institute

    Mar 6, 2024 8:00 am

    PRI is seeking either a Grants and Contracts Associate or a Grants and Contracts Specialist to join our finance team.  

    Grants and Contracts Associate: Entry level position, responsible for assisting in monitoring assigned grant and contract financial activity to ensure compliance with grant guidance and regulations.  This person will provide assistance to Principal Investigators in creating budgets and spending plans for assigned grant submissions.

    Grants and Contracts Specialist: Perform pre- and post-award administrative duties related to sponsored projects, with special emphasis on maintaining the data necessary for compliance with institutional policies and procedures, state and/or federal laws, and contractual obligations. This person will coordinate with PRI principal investigators (PIs).

  • Stream and River Research Technicians (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey/PRI

    Mar 5, 2024 9:30 am

    The Stream Ecology lab at the Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking up to 7 research technicians to conduct bioassessments of aquatic life in streams and rivers in Illinois.The position will be stationed in Champaign Illinois, but travel will occur throughout the state.

  • Lab Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey

    Feb 27, 2024 1:30 pm

    The Illinois Natural History Surveys Wildlife Vet Lab is seeking Lab Technicians to assist with laboratory tasks associated with wildlife research. This position will be based in Champaign, IL. The position will remain open until filled. 

  • Environmental Monitoring - Illinois State Water Survey, PRI

    Feb 27, 2024 9:15 am

    ISWS is seeking to hire a Visiting Scientific Specialist, Environmental Monitoring to support research activities of the Survey by providing research and technical support to the Water & Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program networks. 

    The Illinois State Water Survey (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.

  • Associate Research Scientist, Engineering - Illinois State Geological Survey

    Feb 26, 2024 1:00 pm

    The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire an Associate Research Scientist, Engineering to develop and review engineering designs and models of geothermal systems.  Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

  • Medical Entomology Field Technician (Hourly): Illinois Natural History Survey

    Feb 2, 2024 1:15 pm

    The Illinois Natural History Survey’s Medial Entomology Lab is seeking undergraduate students or hourly technicians for seasonal field and lab work on mosquito and tick surveillance and research. The position is based at the Illinois Natural History Survey Medical Entomology Lab, within the University Research Park.