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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

  • NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program - Illinois Natural History Survey - Deadline to Apply: February 3, 2025

    The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program sponsored by the National Science Foundation supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the Foundation. The Illinois Natural History Survey (Prairie Research Institute) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking undergraduate students who want to be involved in an ongoing research project focused on the detection and characterization of phytoplasmas, a group of bacteria associated with insects (vectors, primarily Hemiptera) and plants (hosts) and implicated in plant disease.

  • Seasonal Aquatic Ecology & Lab Technician (Hourly) - Lake Michigan Biological Station, Zion Illinois

    The Lake Michigan Biological Station is looking for Seasonal Technicians to interview shoreline and boat anglers on their fishing effort, expenditures, harvest, and biological characteristics of fish in their possession and to participate in the monitoring of sport fish harvest dynamics along the Illinois shoreline of Lake Michigan, as well as research activities related to monitoring yellow perch population dynamics, nearshore fish assemblages, and benthic invertebrate and zooplankton prey resources. This position will be located at the Lake Michigan Biological Station in Zion, Illinois. Fieldwork will take place at several sites in Cook County, IL, and Lake County, IL. 

  • Macroinvertebrate Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey : Macomb, Illinois

    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.

  • Assistant Research Scientist, Geology - Illinois State Geological Survey - Deadline to Apply 6:00 p.m. December 13, 2024

    Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire an Assistant Research Scientist, Geology to lead basic and applied research in geological mapping of glacial and non-glacial Quaternary deposits, environmental geology and/or environmental hazards.  

  • Research Field Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey : Application Deadline: December 13, 2024

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking 3 field technicians to conduct research on the behavior and habitat use of wild turkeys in Illinois. Primary responsibilities will include trapping, radio-tagging, tracking wild turkeys, and remotely downloading data from their transmitters. All positions will have a start date of on or around January 10, 2025. Housing and field vehicles are provided. Shared housing will be located near Shelbyville, Illinois, which is approximately 30 minutes to an hour away from field sites.  

     

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate, Analytical Chemistry - Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

    The researcher will primarily focus on developing analytical methods for major cations, anions, trace metals, and rare earth elements (REE) in CCR effluents. Desired expertise includes inorganic analytical chemistry, sample enrichment/separation, spectroscopic analytical instrumentation, and processing of REE and critical minerals (CM).

  • Graduate Research Assistantships (MS or Ph.D.) - Aquatic Ecology - Illinois Natural History Survey

    The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) is seeking 2 graduate research assistants (GRAs) starting Summer or Fall 2025 to conduct research in the areas of aquatic ecology, invasion biology, or fisheries ecology. MS or PhD GRAs are available to research topics such as sport fish growth and recruitment, habitat enhancements for reservoir fisheries, riverine larval fish ecology, and harvest regulations.

  • Visiting Assistant Research Scientist, Process Engineer - Illinois State Geological Survey - Deadline to Apply 6:00 p.m. November 7, 2024

    ISGS is seeking to hire a Visiting Assistant Research Scientist, Process Engineer to conduct original research and technology development for ongoing projects related to critical mineral separation, refining, and process design.  Conceive, recommend, and initiate new research in these areas.  This position is based in Champaign, Illinois.

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Climatology

    Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Maritime to Inland Transitions Towards ENvironments for Convection Initiation (MITTEN-CI) 

    A Postdoctoral Fellow position is available to join a university institute-based research group focused on analyzing observational data and improving understanding of the evolution of the lower atmosphere in response to differing land/water areas traversed by the air in the Great Lakes region. Prospective candidates must have a strong background in atmospheric science, as well as extensive programming and data visualization skills.

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate - Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, Prairie Research Institute

    The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center is seeking to hire a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct laboratory and field experiments for plant uptake and mitigation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) derived from biosolids applicaiton. In particular, there is interest in developing new treatment techniques to remediate these forever chemicals in various environmental media including water, soils, biosolids and food plants.

  • Graduate Student Hourly - Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, Prairie Research Institute

    A graduate student hourly position is available to conduct research project and develop a process for electrochemical wastewater treatment. Key responsibilities will include literature survey, planning and executing experiments, data analysis, and report preparation. A position needs to learn to use instruments and discuss the obtained data with ISTC staff to improve the process

  • Graduate Research Assistantship (Ph.D.) (Pollinators) - Illinois Natural History Survey

    The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) and the Department of Entomology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are seeking a Graduate Research Assistant at the Ph.D. level to work on plants, pollinators, and conservation in Illinois. The student will work with Dr. Mark Davis (INHS) and Dr. Adam Dolezal (Entomology).

  • Climate Change & Climate Services, Postdoctoral Research Associate - Illinois State Water Survey

    The Illinois State Climatologist Office is seeking to hire a Postdoctoral Research Associate to help advance actionable climate information and services for urban planning and hazard resilience across Illinois. The scientist will work in close collaboration with the State Climatologist, the State Emergency Management Agency, and National Weather Service offices to develop web-based climate tools and services that meet the needs of regional planning, urban development, and hazard mitigation partners around the state. The scientist will also assist the State Climatologist Office with stakeholder engagement to ensure the development of climate services meets the growing needs of partners at state and local levels. The position is an excellent opportunity for scientists who are interested in climate services and engaging public and private sector partners to advance climate resilience in Illinois.

  • Director and Principal Research Scientist - Illinois State Water Survey/PRI

    The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS), whose 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, 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 candidate's 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.  

  • Student Hourlies GIS & Programming - Illinois State Water Survey, PRI

    We are seeking several University of Illinois graduate students to assist with preparing digitally available GIS data and analyzing streamflow statistics regionalization at the Illinois State Water Survey. The primary duty will be to assist our staff to compile a geodatabase with geology, hydrogeology, land use/land cover, soil, and climate information. It is also expected that the student will prepare data for streamflow statistics regionalization. Detailed documentation is required.