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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

  • Scientific Specialist, Archaeological Collections - Illinois State Archaeological Survey

    The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire a Scientific Specialist, Archaeological Collections to assist with the management, inventory, documentation, and care of curated archaeological collections.   Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

  • Visiting Scientific Specialist, Soils & Disease Research - Illinois Natural History Survey

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking a Visiting Scientific Specialist to administer research activities of the Survey by assisting with fieldwork, laboratory work, and other research tasks related to soil sampling.  This position will be based in Champaign, Illinois.

  • Fisheries/Aquatic Ecology Research Technician (Hourly): Kaskaskia Biological Station: Sullivan, Illinois

    The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking Research Technicians to conduct field and laboratory work in support of research projects on sportfish management and invasion biology in lakes and rivers. This position is based out of the Kaskaskia Biological Station in Sullivan, Illinois. 

  • Purchasing Coordinator

    The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) is hiring a Purchasing Coordinator to supervise and manage centralized purchasing team and all purchasing functions, including internal purchasing software applications; process development/maintenance; coordinate with various University purchasing mechanisms and perform ongoing monitoring/distribution of purchasing workload.

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

    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

    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

    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. 

  • GIS Hourly Assistant - Illinois State Geological Survey

    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. 

  • Strategic Content Specialist - Social Media

    The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) is seeking to hire a Strategic Content Specialist - Social Media to conceptualize, research, and produce communication products to effectively reach PRI's internal and external stakeholders/audiences. The person hired for this position will create social media campaigns, schedules, graphics, and posts and monitor social media engagement; create illustrations and infographics, and edit photographs for social media; attend and photograph events; analyze and measure the effectiveness and impact of communication efforts; and in collaboration with the strategic communications team, identify internal and external communication needs and develop strategic communications projects to address these needs. They will also write news releases, web content, and other marketing and communications materials that communicate key PRI messages and advance relationships with PRI stakeholders, including internal audiences, the campus community, policymakers, donors and potential donors, and funding agencies.

  • Sustainability Technician – Academic Hourly

    Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is seeking to hire a part-time Sustainability Technician. This position will be part of the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) at ISTC and will primarily support others who work with companies and organizations to evaluate and identify opportunities to improve their sustainability and to support and document their actual implementation of sustainability activities associated with materials, processes, waste minimization and recycling. Assist with developing and overseeing solid waste prevention and sustainable materials management programs established by ISTC that assist companies and communities. Particular focus will be supporting the zero waste unit consulting projects (contracts) with commercial, public sector (e.g., local or state government agencies, colleges and universities, and industrial clients.

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

    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) with a focus on preparing databases, maps, and reports for state and federal programs.

  • Deputy Director - Prairie Research Institute

    The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) is hiring a Deputy Director to serve as an integral member of the PRI Executive Leadership team; advise the executive director (ED) and survey directors of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) and perform 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

    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

    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

    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. 

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

    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

    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

    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

  • 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

  • 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.