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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

  • Human Dimensions Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey: Deadline to Apply: September 27, 2024

    Sep 9, 2024 11:30 am

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking an hourly technician to assist with all aspects of Human Dimensions research including, but not limited to, mail surveys, telephone interviews, data entry, and analysis. This position will be based out of the Forbes Natural History Building on the U of I Campus. 

  • Molecular Plant Pathology Lab Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey

    Sep 5, 2024 9:15 am

    The Illinois Natural History Survey’s Molecular Plant Pathology Lab is seeking undergraduate/graduate students or hourly technicians for lab work on DNA extraction, detection, and identification of phytoplasma plant pathogenic bacteria. Applications should be received by September 13, 2024. However, posting will remain open throughout the Fall Semester. 

  • Part-Time Chemistry Lab Helper

    Sep 4, 2024 11:00 am

    The chemical analysis lab at the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is experiencing a high volume of samples and unexpected shortage in staff. If you are interested and able to help, it would be flexible hours per week over the coming months. Tasks include cleaning and shipping supplies as well as helping analysts with routine lab tasks like reagent preparation. $15–$18 per hour depending on experience. All maximum hours rules apply to students and international students currently registered in classes. Please email Jon Freiman - Human Resources Business Partner (jcf@illinois.edu) for more details.

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

    Aug 22, 2024 12:15 pm

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

  • Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.) - Wetland Biodiversity & Climate Sensitivity - Illinois Natural History Survey/PRI - Application Deadline: September 15, 2024

    Aug 19, 2024 2:45 pm

    The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) is seeking a Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.) to help understand the resiliency of wetland biodiversity (including plants, insects, and herpetofauna) to climate change in the Midwestern United States. The main task is to estimate species' climate sensitivity using occurrence records, trait data, climate data layers, and other available information. These scores can enable conservation status updates, biodiversity resiliency mapping, and novel wetland bioassessments across the region.

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

    Aug 18, 2024 12:00 pm

    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.

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate - Illinois Natural History Survey/PRI - Apply by October 1, 2024

    Aug 15, 2024 2:45 pm

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to assist with studying the diversification of North American minnows. The project is funded by the National Science Foundation, and the objective is to combine genomics, phylogenomics, biogeography, and comparative phylogenetic methods to gain insights into the evolution and diversification of North American minnows. This position will be based in Champaign, IL. 

  • Hazard Mitigation Planning - Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Insitute, Illinois

    Aug 14, 2024 11:15 am

    The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is seeking to hire an entry level Hazard Mitigation Planner (Official Title: Scientific Specialist, Hazard Mitigation Planning ) to conduct research related to hazard mitigation projects as well as perform outreach for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) grants and other projects as assigned within the Coordinated Hazard Assessment and Mapping Program (CHAMP). Produce and prepare technical reports for FEMA regulatory and Risk MAP products and other projects and communicate and disseminate technical reports and research data

    The ISWS CHAMP group has many funded projects that assess local flood hazards, identify high-risk areas, and engage community partners to inform, educate, and empower others to take action in preventing losses from natural hazards. CHAMP is a Cooperating Technical Partner with the Federal Emergency Management Agency creating maps and products as reflected on https://illinoisfloodmaps.org/.

  • Hazard Mitigation Planning, Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, Illinois

    Aug 14, 2024 11:15 am

    The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is seeking to hire an experienced Hazard Mitigation Planner (Official Title: Senior Specialist, Hazard Mitigation Planning ) to conduct research related to hazard mitigation projects as well as perform outreach for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) grants and other projects as assigned within the Coordinated Hazard Assessment and Mapping Program (CHAMP). Produce and prepare technical reports for FEMA regulatory and Risk MAP products and other projects and communicate and disseminate technical reports and research data

    The ISWS CHAMP group has many funded projects that assess local flood hazards, identify high-risk areas, and engage community partners to inform, educate, and empower others to take action in preventing losses from natural hazards. CHAMP is a Cooperating Technical Partner with the Federal Emergency Management Agency creating maps and products as reflected on https://illinoisfloodmaps.org/.

  • Visiting Assistant Research Scientist - Community Research, Engagement, and Outreach

    Aug 13, 2024 10:45 am

    The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) is seeking to hire a Community Research Scientist (Official Title: Visiting Assistant Research Scientist, Community Research) to conduct qualitative research in communities related to the topics of carbon capture, environmental contaminants, and sustainable technologies. Create outreach materials for in-house and community events

    The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. ISTC integrates applied research, technical assistance, and information services to advance efforts in the areas of pollution prevention; water and energy conservation; and materials recycling and beneficial reuse. ISTC is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.  Learn more at https://prairie.illinois.edu/about/jobs/

  • GIS Specialist

    Aug 9, 2024 2:15 pm

    The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is seeking to hire an experienced GIS Specialist (Official Title: Senior Scientific Specialist, Geospatial Science ) to provide Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technical support and specialized production process support for the Coordinated Hazard Assessment and Mapping Program (CHAMP). The focus is on preparing databases, maps, and reports for state and federal programs, contributing significantly to hazard assessment and mapping initiatives.

    The ISWS CHAMP group has many funded projects that assess local flood hazards, identify high-risk areas, and engage community partners to inform, educate, and empower others to take action in preventing losses from natural hazards. CHAMP is a Cooperating Technical Partner with the Federal Emergency Management Agency creating maps and products as reflected on https://illinoisfloodmaps.org/.

    We are unable to sponsor an employment VISA or take over sponsorship for an employment VISA for this position now and in the future. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States with no VISA sponsorship.

  • GIS Analyst

    Aug 9, 2024 2:00 pm

    The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is seeking to hire an entry level GIS Analyst (Official Title:  Scientific Specialist, Geospatial Science ) to provide Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technical support and specialized production process support for the Coordinated Hazard Assessment and Mapping Program (CHAMP). The focus is on preparing databases, maps, and reports for state and federal programs, contributing significantly to hazard assessment and mapping initiatives.

    The ISWS CHAMP group has many funded projects that assess local flood hazards, identify high-risk areas, and engage community partners to inform, educate, and empower others to take action in preventing losses from natural hazards. CHAMP is a Cooperating Technical Partner with the Federal Emergency Management Agency creating maps and products as reflected on https://illinoisfloodmaps.org/.

    We are unable to sponsor an employment VISA or take over sponsorship for an employment VISA for this position now and in the future. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States with no VISA sponsorship.

  • Fisheries/Aquatic Ecology Research Technician (Hourly): Sam Parr Biological Station: Kinmundy, Illinois - Application Deadline: September 30, 2024

    Aug 7, 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 September 30, 2024.  

  • Visiting Senior Scientific Specialist - Community Research, Engagement, and Outreach

    Aug 1, 2024 1:30 pm

    The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) is seeking to hire an Community Research Specialist (Official Title: Visiting Senior Scientific Specialist, Community Research) to conduct qualitative research in communities related to the topics of carbon capture, environmental contaminants, and sustainable technologies. Create outreach materials for in-house and community events.

    The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. ISTC integrates applied research, technical assistance, and information services to advance efforts in the areas of pollution prevention; water and energy conservation; and materials recycling and beneficial reuse. ISTC is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.  Learn more at https://prairie.illinois.edu/about/jobs/

  • Senior Scientific Specialist, Water Resources Engineer

    Jul 30, 2024 3:15 pm

    The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is seeking to hire an experienced Water Resources Engineer (Official Title: Senior Scientific Specialist, Water Resources Engineering) to conduct applied research by developing and reviewing hydrologic and hydraulic studies and summarizing results to produce reports, technical memorandum, presentations, databases, and mapping products for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) grants and other projects as assigned within the Coordinated Hazard Assessment and Mapping Program (CHAMP).

    The ISWS CHAMP group has many funded projects that assess local flood hazards, identify high-risk areas, and engage community partners to inform, educate, and empower others to take action in preventing losses from natural hazards. CHAMP is a Cooperating Technical Partner with FEMA, creating maps and products as reflected on https://illinoisfloodmaps.org/.

  • Scientific Specialist, Water Resources Engineering

    Jul 30, 2024 2:00 pm

    The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is seeking to hire an entry level Water Resources Engineer (Official Title: Scientific Specialist, Water Resources Engineering) to conduct applied research by developing and reviewing hydrologic and hydraulic studies and summarizing results to produce reports, technical memorandum, presentations, databases, and mapping products for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) grants and other projects as assigned within the Coordinated Hazard Assessment and Mapping Program (CHAMP).

    The ISWS CHAMP group has many funded projects that assess local flood hazards, identify high-risk areas, and engage community partners to inform, educate, and empower others to take action in preventing losses from natural hazards. CHAMP is a Cooperating Technical Partner with FEMA, creating maps and products as reflected on https://illinoisfloodmaps.org/.

  • Aquatic Ecology Field Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey - Macomb, IL - Application Deadline: May 24, 2024

    Apr 26, 2024 10:00 am

    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.  

  • 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. 

  • 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.