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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 Champaign-Urbana, a diverse, affordable, micro-urban community. Learn more about Champaign-Urbana

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

  • Fisheries & Aquatic Ecology Field & Lab Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey/Lake Michigan Biological Station - Zion, IL

    The Lake Michigan Biological Station, which is part of the Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking technicians 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.

  • Undergraduate Hourly Technician (Entomology) - Illinois Natural History Survey/PRI

    INHS is seeking Undergraduate Students to work on research projects related to the ecology, behavior, and management of corn and soybean insect pests (principally western corn rootworm beetles/larvae) in corn, soybean, or other crops.

  • Medical Entomology Field Technician (Hourly): Illinois Natural History Survey

    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. 

  • Undergraduate Hourly, Graduate Hourly, Academic Hourly

    We are seeking up to three motivated individuals to participate in and support original research and technology development in one or more areas of carbon capture & utilization, critical materials recovery, and the beneficial utilization of waste materials. Responsibilities include participating in laboratory and bench-scale experiments and analytical characterization to evaluate new materials and processes, assisting in the assembly and troubleshooting of experimental setups, analyzing experimental data, supporting modeling efforts, performing literature searches, as well as preparing reports and documentation.

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

    The Illinois River Biological Station is seeking two technicians to conduct applied research in aquatic ecology and large river systems and process riverine samples for aquatic macroinvertebrates.  throughout the state of Illinois. This position will be 40 hours per week and will be based in Macomb, Illinois.

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

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