blog navigation

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

  • Scientific Specialist, Archaeological Data Preservation - Illinois State Archaeological Survey

    Sep 25, 2023 1:45 pm

    The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire a Scientific Specialist, Archaeological Data Preservation to design, develop, and manage archaeological research data and informational management strategy, dissemination, applications, workflow procedures, and data preservation.   Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

  • Office Support Associate - Illinois State Archaeological Survey

    Sep 25, 2023 12:30 pm

    The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire a part-time (40% appointment; 15 hours per week) Office Support Associate to provide support to ISAS in the administration of grants and daily operation of the business office.  Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

  • Scientific Specialist, Archaeology - Illinois State Archaeological Survey

    Sep 22, 2023 4:45 pm

    The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire a Scientific Specialist, Archaeology (up to 3 depending on applicant pool and programmatic need) to conduct field archaeological investigations and analysis projects.  Position is based at the ISAS ABFS Field Station in Collinsville, Illinois. 

  • Scientific Specialist, Archaeology - Illinois State Archaeological Survey

    Sep 22, 2023 3:00 pm

    The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire a Scientific Specialist, Archaeology to conduct field archaeological investigations in conjunction with managing archaeological data needs.  Position is based at the ISAS ABFS Field Station in Collinsville, Illinois. 

  • 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. 

  • Environmental Science Writer - Prairie Research Institute

    Sep 6, 2023 3:30 pm

  • SUSTAINABILITY TECHNICIAN – Academic Hourly

    Aug 31, 2023 10:30 am

  • GIS Specialist, Illinois State Water Survey, PRI (experienced)

    Aug 28, 2023 2:30 pm

  • GIS Analyst - Illinois State Water Survey, PRI (entry level)

    Aug 28, 2023 2:15 pm

  • Deputy Director - Prairie Research Institute

    Aug 22, 2023 3:15 pm

    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.

    Job Summary

    Serve as an integral member of the PRI Executive Leadership team. Advising the executive director (ED) and survey directors of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) and performing a complex mix of duties related to executive leadership, governmental relations, engagement, advocacy, law, public policy, and legislative process.

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

    Aug 22, 2023 12:45 pm

    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 20 hours per week at $17.00 to $20.00 per hour depending on qualifications.   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. 

  • Visiting Scientific Specialist, Environmental Engineering - Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

    Aug 9, 2023 11:30 am

    The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center is seeking to hire a Visiting Scientific Specialist, Environmental Engineering (up to 2, depending on applicant pool and programmatic need) to participate in research related to wastewater treatment, bioenergy production, carbon capture/utilization, and/or emerging contaminant issues (e.g., pharmaceuticals, per- fluorinated chemicals, disinfection by-products, algal toxins and microplastics). In particular, there is interest in developing new treatment systems using combinations of membranes, adsorbents, hydrothermal conversion processes and various specialized microorganisms (e.g., algae, anaerobes, denitrifiers, and phosphorus-accumulating organisms) to accomplish multiple sustainability goals for food, energy, and water.  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 6pm CST Monday September 11th 2023) please visit https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/2661?c=illinois

  • Visiting Assistant Research Scientist, Engineering - Illinois State Geological Survey

    May 23, 2023 12:45 pm

    The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire a Visiting Assistant Research Scientist, Engineering (up to 4, depending on applicant pool and programmatic need) to perform original research and technology development for ongoing projects pertinent to CO2 capture & utilization, waste management, coal combustion byproducts utilization, and other relevant clean energy and resource utilization. Conceive, recommend, and initiate new research in these areas. Position is based in Champaign, 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.