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 Champaign-Urbana, a diverse, affordable, micro-urban community. Learn more about Champaign-Urbana. 

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:

  • Director *NEW* Illinois 3D Climate Mesonet

    The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Illinois Three-Dimensional (3D) Mesonet. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to lead a first-of-its-kind, statewide, multi-sector environmental observing network designed to transform weather, climate, and environmental monitoring and decision-making across Illinois and the Nation.

    About the Illinois 3D Mesonet 

    The Illinois 3D Mesonet is a transformative partnership among the Department of Climate, Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences (CliMAS), the Prairie Research Institute (PRI), and several other campus and external partners including the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN), and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).

    The 3D Mesonet represents a new generation of environmental observing systems — combining surface, subsurface, and autonomous drone-based atmospheric observations up to 8,000 feet. It will integrate these data with a federated statewide environmental data portal and new decision-support tools that benefit stakeholders in public safety/emergency management, agriculture, transportation, power utilities, K-12 and higher education, public health, communications, urban planning, manufacturing, and research. When completed, it will be the Nation’s first fully three-dimensional, autonomous mesonet.

    Lead the creation of a first-of-its-kind, statewide, multi-sector environmental observing network designed to transform weather, climate, and environmental monitoring and decision-making across Illinois and the Nation.

  • Undergraduate Summer Internship - Stream Ecology - Illinois Natural History Survey

    The Illinois Natural History Survey's Stream Ecology Lab is seeking a Summer intern for the Larimore Stream Ecology Internship, which will provide you with knowledge and real-world experience to prepare you for a graduate program in stream or aquatic ecology. INHS has more than 150 years of research on biological resources, particularly aquatic life in Illinois and beyond. 

  • Visiting Scientific Specialist, Aquatic Ecology - Illinois Natural History Survey - Deadline to Apply: March 9, 2025 by 6:00 PM

    The Illinois Natural History Survey, one of the five State Scientific Surveys housed by the Prairie Research Institute, is seeking a Visiting Scientific Specialist who will conduct basic and applied research in the area of Aquatic Ecology, overseeing Lake Michigan Creel surveys and other fisheries work at the Lake Michigan Biological Station. 

    This position will be located at the Lake Michigan Biological Station in Zion, Illinois. This position will be expected to work at the Biological Station on a full-time basis. 

  • Stream and River Research Technicians (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey - Deadline to Apply: March 27, 2026

    The Stream Ecology lab at the Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking up to four research technicians to support research projects evaluating how private land conservation programs impact wadeable stream communities in Illinois.

  • Fisheries/Aquatic Ecology Research Technician (Hourly): Sam Parr Biological Station, Kinmundy, Illinois - Application Deadline: March 15, 2026

    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. 

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

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking to hire up to three (3) field technicians to assist with aquatic research for summer 2026. Position will be based in Champaign, Illinois. Housing is not provided.

  • Principal OR Associate Research Scientist, Archaeology - Illinois State Archaeological Survey - Deadline to Apply 6:00 p.m. March 2, 2026

    ISAS is seeking to hire a Principal Research Scientist or an Associate Research Scientist.  This position will be hired depending on the qualifications of the candidate.  The Principal Research Scientist will develop, lead, and manage all levels of archaeological analysis, research, and review of compliance reports and other publications for the Survey and Office of the State Archaeologist.  The Associate Research Scientist will develop and manage all levels of archaeological analysis, research, and review of compliance reports and other publications for the Survey and Office of the State Archaeologist.

  • Aquatic/Fisheries Field Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey - Havana, Illinois

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking multiple (up to 10) 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. 

  • Aquatic Field Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey - Starved Rock State Park, Oglesby, Illinois

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking up to 3 Aquatic 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 Oglesby, Illinois, at Starved Rock State Park. 

  • Director, Illinois State Geological Survey - Deadline to Apply - 6:00 p.m. Monday, March 23, 2026

    The Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as the next Director of the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS). Based in Champaign, Illinois, the Director will guide a renowned team of scientists, researchers, and professionals dedicated to advancing geoscience research and addressing critical natural resource and environmental challenges.  This dual-role position offers a unique opportunity to direct strategic initiatives, lead groundbreaking research, and influence the future of geoscience through high-impact research and statewide service.  

    For more than 120 years, the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) has advanced Illinois’ environmental quality, economic development, and public safety through accurate, objective earth science research and information. As Director of ISGS, you will build on this legacy by providing strategic leadership for a statewide scientific enterprise, guiding policy, strengthening outreach and engagement, and overseeing more than 130 scientists and staff, while also developing an independent, high-impact research program as a Principal Research Scientist. The Director could also serve, or be eligible to serve, as the Illinois State Geologist. 

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate - Hydrogeology

    The Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct research and analysis focused on evaluating feasibility of managed aquifer recharge in shallow aquifers through hydrogeologic modeling and related activities in support of ongoing projects.

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate - Water Resources Planning

    The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) at the Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to a statewide water resources planning project.

  • Undergraduate Hourly, Graduate Hourly, Academic Hourly

    We are seeking up to three motivated individuals to participate in and support original research and technology development in one or more areas of 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.