blog posts

• Aquatic/Fisheries Field Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey - Havana, Illinois

  Jan 23, 2026 11:45 am

  The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking multiple (up to 10) field technicians to conduct applied research in aquatic ecology and large river systems throughout the state of Illinois. Technicians will assist large river ecologists in the collection of standardized long-term river monitoring data with additional targeted data collection. This position will be 40 hours per week and will be located in Havana, Illinois. 

• Aquatic Field Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey - Starved Rock State Park, Oglesby, Illinois

  Jan 23, 2026 11:30 am

  The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking up to 3 Aquatic field technicians to conduct applied research in aquatic ecology and large river systems throughout the state of Illinois. Technicians will assist large river ecologists in the collection of standardized long-term river monitoring data with additional targeted data collection. This position will be 40 hours per week and will be located in Oglesby, Illinois, at Starved Rock State Park. 

• Avian Field Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey

  Jan 9, 2026 1:00 pm

  The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) is seeking hourly Field Technicians to assist with a project examining which bird species use private lands enrolled under the Illinois Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), the Illinois Conservation Stewardship Program, and the Illinois Forestry Development Act, and how habitat provided by these properties changes over time.

• Postdoctoral Research Associate - NOAA Firebird - Illinois Natural History Survey/PRI - Application Deadline: February 15, 2026

  Dec 18, 2025 11:00 am

  The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS),  a leader in investigating and preserving biological resources in Illinois and beyond, is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on the NOAA Firebird project (https://noaafirebird.home.blog/) to support our adaptive resource management work. 

• Fisheries/Aquatic Ecology Research Technician (Hourly): Kaskaskia Biological Station: Sullivan, Illinois - Application Deadline: January 30, 2026

  Dec 18, 2025 10:45 am

  The Kaskaskia Biological Station at the Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking individuals to conduct field and laboratory work in support of research projects on sportfish management and invasion biology in lakes and rivers. This opportunity is available immediately for well-qualified applicants. 40 hours per week, $16 - $17 per hour. 

• Graduate Research Assistantships (MS) - Aquatic/Fisheries Ecology - Illinois Natural History Survey

  Dec 5, 2025 12:45 pm

  The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) is seeking a graduate research assistant (GRA) starting Summer or Fall 2026 to conduct research on recreational fishing effort and harvest in a large reservoir ecosystem. The GRA will be a member of a research team assessing methods for improving estimates of fishing pressure and investigating emerging issues in sustainable fisheries management, such as the use of sonar technologies in recreational fisheries.

• Seasonal Aquatic Field Technician (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey

  Nov 19, 2025 1:30 pm

  INHS is seeking field technicians (1-2) 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. 

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

  Sep 3, 2025 1:00 pm

  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.

• Stewardship and Donor Development Specialist (Hourly) - Illinois Natural History Survey/PRI

  Aug 15, 2025 11:45 am

  The Illinois River Biological Station, part of the Illinois Natural History Survey, is seeking a Stewardship and Donor Development Specialist to support fundraising development efforts by conducting in-depth research, analyzing, and communicating relevant information to support the identification, cultivation, socialization, and stewardship of individuals, corporations, and foundations. This position is a remote/hybrid opportunity with occasional visits to the Illinois River Biological Station required. 

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

  Aug 4, 2025 1:15 pm

  The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking field technicians (1-2) 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.