Prairie Research Institute

blog posts

• Laboratory Assistant (Hourly) - Illinois State Geological Survey

  Nov 27, 2023 9:30 am

  The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire an individual to conduct laboratory analysis of geologic samples and participate in sample and data archiving activities.  Work up to 40 hours per week at $17.00 to $20.00 per hour depending on qualifications.  Position is based in Champaign, Illinois.

• Bat Survey Field Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey/PRI

  Nov 21, 2023 10:30 am

  The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking 2 field technicians to assist with the 2024 summer field sampling for the Illinois Bat Conservation Program (IBCP), including acoustic surveys and mist netting. 

• Fisheries/Aquatic Ecology Research Technician (Hourly): Sam Parr Biological Station: Kinmundy, Illinois

  Nov 14, 2023 10:30 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. 

• Research Field Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey

  Nov 6, 2023 1:30 pm

  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. 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.  

• NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program - Illinois Natural History Survey

  Nov 6, 2023 12:30 pm

  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.

• Engineering Laboratory Assistant (Hourly) - Illinois State Geological Survey

  Nov 1, 2023 8:30 am

  The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire up to two hourly research assistants to participate in ongoing research projects related to the development, characterization, and evaluation of materials and processes for carbon capture and utilization and the beneficial use of waste materials. Work up to 20 hours per week at $14 to $20 per hour depending on qualifications.  Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

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

  Oct 27, 2023 3:45 pm

  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.

• Grants and Contracts Assistant or Grants and Contracts Specialist

  Oct 20, 2023 4:30 pm

  Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. We serve the state, the nation, and the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and addressing critical societal needs through the transfer and application of knowledge. Illinois is the place where we embrace difference. We embrace it because we value it. Illinois is especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the Illinois community.

  The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, houses five large scientific surveys covering a wide range of expertise including biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology.  PRI’s mission is to provide objective, integrated scientific research and service that allow citizens and decision-makers to make choices that ensure sustainable economic development, enduring environmental quality, and cultural resource preservation for the people, businesses, and governments of Illinois. Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.

  
  

  Why Work at the Prairie Research Institute?

  Highlights of Employee Benefits

  PRI is seeking either a Grants and Contracts Assistant or Grants and Contracts Specialist (level dependent upon experience) to join the Grants and Contracts teams.  

• Institutional Water Treatment Chemistry-Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

  Oct 13, 2023 11:00 am

• Analytical Chemistry - Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute

  Oct 12, 2023 1:00 pm

  The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is seeking to hire an Analytical Chemist to provide analytical support for the Health and Environmental Applications Laboratory (HEAL). 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

• GIS Hourly Assistant - Illinois State Geological Survey

  Sep 22, 2023 10:15 am

  The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire individuals for two USGS-funded projects focused on exploring the mineral resources in Upper Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc deposits and mine wastes in northwestern Illinois. Work up to 20 hours per week at $15 to $17 per hour depending on qualifications. The position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

• PRI Ombudsperson

  Aug 17, 2023 10:45 am

  The PRI Ombudsperson is authorized to confidentially receive complaints, concerns, or inquiries about alleged acts, omissions, improprieties, and/or broader systemic problems within the ombudsperson's defined jurisdiction. The Ombudsperson will be tasked with listening, examining issues and any relevant policies, offering options, facilitating resolutions, and developing and promoting equitable resolutions. All advice and feedback provided by the PRI Ombudsperson will be considered as informal, independent, and non-binding, and should maintain neutrality and impartiality. Only full-time employees within the Institute or qualified retirees of PRI will be considered for this position.

• Chief Scientist, Energy and Minerals (Principal Research Scientist, Geology) - Illinois State Geological Survey

  Aug 11, 2023 4:30 pm

  The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire a Chief Scientist, Energy and Minerals (Principal Research Scientist, Geology) to provide leadership, clear scientific vision, and direction to the sub-disciplines and staff members engaged with the ISGS's energy and minerals programs; encourage multidisciplinary project-based research related to energy, geologic storage (e.g., carbon dioxide, hydrogen, natural gas, geothermal, and compressed air), and mineral resource development; facilitate coordination, communication, and teamwork throughout the Survey, PRI, and with other components of the University, as well as state and federal government and industry collaborators; and implement energy and mineral research and service programs of the Survey. Coordinate and promote funding opportunities to facilitate innovative project-based research for energy and minerals throughout the Survey and PRI. Develop an ISGS research strategy with a focus on transformative energy and minerals topics for a diverse and inclusive workforce.  Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

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

  Aug 1, 2023 4:15 pm

  INHS 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. 

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

  Jul 18, 2023 9:45 am

  The Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking a Graduate Research Assistant at the Master’s or Ph.D. level to work on the phylogenomics of phytoplasmas, a group of not-yet cultured bacteria associated with insects (vectors, primarily Hemiptera) and plants (hosts) and implicated in plant disease. Position will be based in Champaign, Illinois and the selected candidate will be expected to apply and be accepted into the graduate college for enrollment in Fall 2023 or Spring 2024. 

• Environmental Public Health - Prairie Research Institute

  Jul 18, 2023 9:00 am

  The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) is seeking to hire an Environmental Public Health Professional (Official Title: Senior Scientific Specialist, Environmental Public Health) to lead and administer research activities within PRI by developing, planning, and conducting applied research related to groundwater, water quality, and private wells with emphasis on emerging contaminants and drinking water contamination; conduct outreach activities to disseminate research results and provide education to stakeholders; ensure data meet the rigorous standards required for scientific research and analysis; and advance institutional public health goals related to One Health. To view the full description and to apply (by 7pm CST Thursday, December 9th 2023) please visit https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/2661?c=illinois

• Senior Scientific Specialist or Assistant Research Scientist, Wetland Soils - Illinois Natural History Survey/PRI

  May 12, 2023 8:30 am

  The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking a Wetland Soils Scientist at either the Senior Scientific Specialist or Assistant Research Scientist Level. The Wetland Soils Scientist will administer research activities of the Survey by developing, planning, directing, and conducting basic and applied research with an emphasis on the coordination and participation in wetland determinations, assessments, and monitoring. This position will be based in Champaign, Illinois

• Postdoctoral Research Associate (Aquatic Invertebrates) - Illinois Natural History Survey/PRI

  May 2, 2023 4:30 pm

  The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to synthesize responses and vulnerabilities of priority aquatic invertebrates to precipitation extremes across the Midwest. The position is based in Champaign, Illinois (with possibility of remote work) and funded by the USGS Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center.

• Public Health Entomology Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey

  May 2, 2023 9:45 am

  We are seeking hourly technicians for seasonal field and lab work on mosquito and tick surveillance and research. Our group focuses on understanding the distribution and density of vectors of public health concern throughout the state, how environmental factors shape and are altering vector population densities, tracking invasive tick and mosquito species, and understanding the diversity of mosquito- and tickborne pathogens present in Illinois. The position is based at the Illinois Natural History Survey Medical Entomology Lab, within the University Research Park in Champaign, Illinois.

• Fisheries/Aquatic Ecology Research Technician (Hourly): Kaskaskia Biological Station: Sullivan, Illinois

  May 2, 2023 9:00 am

  The Kaskaskia Biological Station is seeking 1-2 hourly Research Technician to conduct field and laboratory work in support of research projects on sportfish management and invasion biology in lakes and rivers.  Job offers come with an expected commitment of 12-24 months and this position will be based out of the Kaskaskia Biological Station in Sullivan, IL.