Prairie Research Institute

blog posts

• Senior Scientific Specialist, Archaeology - Illinois State Archaeological Survey

  Sep 29, 2022 3:30 pm

  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 serve as a research archaeologist and an author/editor for archaeological excavation reports. Position is based Champaign, Illinois.

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

  Sep 28, 2022 3:45 pm

  The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire a Director, Energy and Minerals Group (Principal Research Scientist, Geology) to provide leadership, clear scientific vision, and direction to the sub-disciplines and staff members who comprise the Energy and Minerals Group; 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 with industry collaborators; and implement and administer research and service programs of the Survey. Coordinate and promote funding opportunities to facilitate innovative project-based research for the Energy and Minerals Group throughout the Survey and PRI.  Establish clear metrics for a diverse and inclusive workforce with a focus on transformative energy and minerals research. Position is based in Champaign, Illinois.

• Visiting Senior Scientific Specialist, IWT Chemistry - Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

  Sep 27, 2022 10:15 am

  The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center is seeking to hire a Visiting Senior Scientific Specialist, IWT Chemistry to conduct water quality research for institutional water treatment clients. Conduct on-site collection, testing, analysis, and recommendations for improvement as well as manage and coordinate various laboratory functions. Position is based in Champaign, Illinois.

• Grants and Contracts Assistant, Specialist, or Coordinator

  Sep 23, 2022 3:45 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.

  Why Work at the Prairie Research Institute?

  Highlights of Employee Benefits

  The Prairie Research Institute is seeking two individuals to join our Grants and Contracts team (level is dependent on qualifications).

  Grants and Contracts Assistant: Entry level position, responsible for assisting in monitoring assigned grant and contract financial activity to ensure compliance with grant guidance and regulations. Provide assistance to Principal Investigators in creating budgets and spending plans for assigned grant submissions.

  Grants and Contracts Specialist:  Perform pre- and post-award administrative duties related to sponsored projects, with special emphasis on maintaining the data necessary for compliance with institutional policies and procedures, state and/or federal laws, and contractual obligations. Coordinate with PRI principal investigators (PIs).

  Grants and Contracts Coordinator:  Independently perform pre- and post-award administrative duties related to sponsored projects, with special emphasis on maintaining the data necessary for compliance with institutional policies and procedures, state and/or federal laws, and contractual obligations. Independently manage a portfolio of PRI principal investigators (PIs).

• Hardware & Data Engineering with Radio Network for Environmental Monitoring

  Sep 21, 2022 1:15 pm

• Fisheries Technician (Hourly) - Lake Michigan Biological Station

  Sep 20, 2022 8:45 am

  The Lake Michigan Biological Station is looking for a fisheries Technician to participate in daily research activities related to monitoring yellow perch population dynamics, nearshore and tributary fish assemblages, benthic invertebrate and zooplankton resources, biological community assessment of nearshore artificial reefs, and sport fish harvest dynamics along the Illinois shoreline of Lake Michigan. This position will be located at the Lake Michigan Biological Station in Zion, IL. Fieldwork will also occur in various locations throughout Cook County and Lake County, IL. 

• Senior Scientific Specialist, Archaeology - Illinois State Archaeological Survey

  Sep 15, 2022 11:00 am

  The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire a Senior Scientific Specialist, Archaeology (up to 4 depending on applicant pool and programmatic need) to conduct and lead field archaeological investigations and analysis projects.  Position is based in the ISAS American Bottom Field Station in Collinsville, Illinois.

• Scientific Specialist, Archaeology - Illinois State Archaeological Survey

  Sep 15, 2022 10:00 am

  The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire a Scientific Specialist, Archaeology (up to 4 depending on applicant pool and programmatic need) to conduct field archaeological investigations and analysis projects. Position is based in the ISAS American Bottom Field Station in Collinsville, Illinois.

• Office Support Associate - Illinois State Archaeological Survey

  Sep 7, 2022 4:00 pm

  The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire a part-time Office Support Associate to provide support to the ISAS Business/Administrative Associate in the administration of grants and daily operation of the business office.   Position is based in Champaign, Illinois.

• GIS & Remote Sensing

  Sep 2, 2022 11:00 am

  The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is seeking to hire for GIS & Remote Sensing (Official title: Scientific Specialist, Geospatial Science) to provide technical support for two federally funded mapping data programs; staff routinely work in close collaboration.  For the Illinois State Water Survey, process and maintain Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data for the Coordinated Hazard Assessment and Mapping Program (CHAMP) with a focus on preparing digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) databases.  For the Illinois State Geological Survey, implement prescribed activities to process, maintain, and provide access to Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) point cloud data, derivative elevation data in vector and raster formats, and metadata for the Illinois Height Modernization Program (ILHMP).

• Project Manager - Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

  Aug 31, 2022 8:30 am

  The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center is seeking to hire a Project Manager (up to three, depending on applicant pool and programmatic need). The Project Manager will perform functions during post award for a portfolio of projects. Examples of post award activities include, but are not limited to, (1) managing the collection of and updating information for Foreign Nationals (FN) or UIUC and subawardees; (2) managing and updating project budgets; (3) managing conflict of interest filings for UIUC and subawardees; (4) assist project engineers to develop and monitor various schedules, performance metrics, and reporting functions for projects; (5) maintaining project related Staff Plan updates and HR Transactions in PRI’s internal PRIDE system; (6) scheduling on-going project meetings; (7) coordinating with PRI Sponsored Research Coordinator/Fund Manager on project budget; (8) subaward coordination/monitoring, including subawardee invoice review (for PI final approval).  This is a hybrid position based in Champaign, Illinois.

• Communications Intern

  Aug 30, 2022 12:45 pm

  The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) is hiring a science storytelling intern to assist the communications team in sharing innovative research in archaeology, atmospheric science and climate, biodiversity and ecology, geology, hydrology and water, and sustainability.   During this paid internship, you'll gain experience curating and sharing social media content from PRI’s high-impact research that benefits Illinois, the nation, and the world. Depending on the selected candidate’s interests and professional goals, the internship experience could include writing stories, creating illustrations and infographics, producing videos, or other forms of storytelling.

• Visiting Scientific Specialist, GIS - Illinois State Geological Survey

  Aug 29, 2022 11:45 am

  The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire a Visiting Scientific Specialist, GIS to participate in research activities related to coal mines and data. Position is based in Champaign, Illinois.

• Scientific Specialist, Archaeology - Illinois State Archaeological Survey

  Aug 24, 2022 1:00 pm

  The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire a Scientific Specialist, Archaeology.   The archaeologist will work in the statewide program office of the Illinois State Archaeological Survey's Transportation and Architecture Sections to coordinate  environmental survey information from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) or other state or federal agencies with ISAS archaeological and architectural projects for the purposes of (1) characterizing the research potential of said projects, (2) ensuring accurate and timely performance of archaeological and architectural projects, (3) completing archaeological and architectural compliance reports, and (4) assisting the IDOT Cultural Resources Unit in implementing a construction monitoring policy.  Position is based in Champaign, Illinois.

• Fisheries Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey

  Aug 22, 2022 12:00 pm

  The Kaskaskia Biological Station is seeking 1-2 Fisheries Technicians to conduct field and laboratory work in support of research projects on sportfish management and invasion biology in lakes and rivers. Current research projects include spatial ecology and food web effects of habitat enhancements in reservoirs, experimental harvest regulations, and the ecology and management of invasive carp in the Illinois River. 

  This position will be based out of the Kaskaskia Biological Station in Sulllivan, Illinois and will work under the direction of Dr. Joe Parkos. 

• Hourly Research Assistant - Sediment Laboratory, Illinois State Water Survey

  Aug 19, 2022 2:00 pm

  Assist the ISWS Sediment Laboratory Analyst by performing various duties as needed: prepare samples for analysis, prepare supplies and material for analytical methods, washing bottles/caps, taring bottles/glass filters, data entry, and general laboratory upkeep.

• Aquatic Ecology Database Developer (Hourly) - INHS/PRI

  Aug 11, 2022 1:15 pm

  The Illinois River Bioloical Station is seeking a database developer to to assimilate disparate long-term and targeted biological monitoring and research data sources into a functional database repository that is updateable and queryable across projects. The position will also require metadata creation, data analytics and involve data integration platforms. The database developer will also participate in the design and development of API and backend components to generate data metrics and facilitate user access. 

• Archaeological Field Technicians – American Bottom Field Station - Illinois State Archaeological Survey

  Aug 8, 2022 12:00 pm

  The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire Archaeological Field Technicians (Hourly Assistants) to serve as excavators and surveyors capable of performing basic archaeological identification, interpretation, and recordation tasks under the direct supervision of a Research Archaeologist. Duties include, but are not limited to, participation in Phase I field surveys, Phase II site testing, Phase III archaeological mitigation projects, and associated analysis activities based at the ISAS American Bottom Field Station in Collinsville, Illinois. These are full-time (40 hours per week), non-benefits eligible, field/laboratory positions with an hourly rate of $16 to $18 depending on qualifications.

• Fisheries Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey

  Aug 4, 2022 10:45 am

  The Sam Parr Biological Station is seeking field 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 will be based out of the Sam Parr Biological Station in Kinmundy, IL.

• Hourly Research - WaterOperator.Org, Illinois State Water Survey

  Jun 23, 2022 4:15 pm

  The Illinois State Water Survey is seeking an hourly research assistant to conduct research and gather information from water and wastewater related websites, evaluate research data quality, develop written summaries based on research, and develop scientific content for water/wastewater operator website.