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, Aquatic Invasive Species - Illinois Natural History Survey

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking an Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist to develop and conduct basic and applied research with an emphasis on improving the effectiveness of scientific outreach for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). This position will be based out of the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois. Application deadline is June 13, 2023. 

  • Scientific Specialist, Field Scientist - Illinois Natural History Survey

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking two Field Specialist to work in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to monitor, assess and promote the Illinois Conservation Reserved Enhancement Program (CREP).  These positions will be located in various sites throughout the State of Illinois and will be mainly field-based with in-office work as needed. Headquarters will be based in Havana, Illinois and Pawnee, Illinois. Application deadline is June 13, 2023. 

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

    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, Archaeology - Illinois State Archaeological Survey

    The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire a Senior Scientific Specialist, Archaeology (up to 2 depending on applicant pool and programmatic need) to review, analyze, and manage archaeological and other IDOT cultural resource project data, environmental survey requests, and project notifications for the ISAS Transportation section. Position is based at the ISAS Western Illinois Field Station located in Jacksonville, Illinois. 

  • Strategic Content Specialist (Writing emphasis)

    PRI is seeking to hire a Strategic Content Specialist (focus on writing) to conceptualize, research, and produce communication products to effectively reach PRI's internal and external stakeholders/audiences.  

  • Assistant or Associate Research Scientist, Map Standards - Illinois State Geological Survey

    The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire an individual at either the Assistant Research Scientist, Map Standards level or the Associate Research Scientist, Map Standards level depending on qualifications, who will develop, improve, and implement cartographic standards and procedures for the geologic mapping programs of the Survey. Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

  • Associate Research Scientist, Botany - Illinois Natural History Survey/PRI

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking a Botanist to develop, plan, direct, and conduct basic and applied research by coordinating, supervising, and managing research, technical work, and projects in botany.  This position fits within the Biological Surveys and Assessment Group whose primary function is to evaluate Illinois Department of Transportation projects and their impacts to threatened and endangered species. This position will be based in Champaign, Illinois. 

  • Senior Scientific Specialist, Aquatic Invasive Species - Illinois Natural History Survey/PRI


    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking an Aquatic Invasive Species Senior Specialist to develop and conduct basic and applied research with an emphasis on the scientific outreach for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). This position will be based out of the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois.  

  • Assistant and Asscoiate Director for Research Development

    PRI is hiring an Assistant and Associate Director for Research Development.  

    The Assistant Director of Research Development will serve as a member of PRI’s leadership team, support the Executive Director, Associate Director for Research, and Survey Directors in increasing PRI’s research portfolio by conducting research and facilitating the development of inter-disciplinary research, scholarship, and communication of  opportunities, initiatives, and outcomes. Engage as a technical expert in research compliance or protocol review with input on research method and practices by identifying, expanding, and supporting new research initiatives involving institute investigators, campus faculty and external stakeholders; coordinate new, multi-disciplinary, multi-investigator proposals; and work to build the research capacity and funding of the Prairie Research Institute. Provide research knowledge and support to programs, systems, and processes supporting research development at the Prairie Research Institute.

     The Associate Director for Research Development will serve as an integral member of the Prairie Research Institute’s leadership and operations team. Coordinate research activities of the Institute by conducting research, planning, developing, supporting, and growing cross-cutting research across the Institute. Responsible for increasing PRI’s research capacity by conducting and facilitating inter-disciplinary research among its scientists and across the Scientific Surveys, including identifying funding opportunities, emerging challenges, and potential collaborations; fostering interdisciplinary projects; envisioning and facilitating collaboration between PRI scientists and other academic departments and institutes on campus; envisioning and facilitating the development of infrastructure for research programs across PRI; developing collaboration between PRI and organizations external to UIUC, and enhancing scholarship.   

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

    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

  • Strategic Content Specialist (Social Media emphasis)

    PRI is seeking to hire a Strategic Content Specialist (focus on social media campaigns and platforms) to conceptualize, research, and produce communication products to effectively reach PRI’s internal and external stakeholders/audiences.

  • GIS Student Summer Internships

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

    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

    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

    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.

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate (Population, Climate, and Disease Modeling) - Illinois Natural History Survey

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to collaborate on a project developing predictive models of avian disease in the Laurentian Great Lakes. This position will be based out of Champaign, Illinois. 

  • Visiting Assistant Research Scientist, Hydroclimatology - Illinois State Water Survey

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

    The Health & Environmental Applications Laboratory (HEAL) seeks an Analytical Chemist to conduct chemical analysis, ensure an adequate supply of required reagents and supplies, and maintain analytical instruments. The HEAL lab resides at The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) which 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. Our 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. Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.

  • Seasonal Creel/Fisheries Technician (Hourly) - Lake Michigan Biological Station

    The Lake Michigan Biological Station is looking for a Seasonal Creel/Fisheries Technician to interview shoreline and boat anglers on their fishing effort, expenditures, harvest, and biological characteristics of fish in their possession. This position will be located at the Lake Michigan Biological Station in Zion, Illinois. Creel surveys and other fieldwork will take place at several sites in Cook County, IL and Lake County, IL. 

  • Fisheries Management Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking multiple (up to 2) technicians to conduct field and laboratory work in support of sportfish management projects in streams and reservoirs in Illinois. Field work responsibilities include measuring limnological parameters and sampling fish using boat electrofishing in reservoirs and stream electrofishing gears in wadable streams. Position will be based out of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office in Gibson City, Illinois