Prairie Research Institute

blog posts

• 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 Scientific Specialist, Environmental Assessments Researcher - Illinois State Geological Survey

  Oct 21, 2022 4:15 pm

  The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire a Visiting Scientific Specialist, Environmental Assessments Researcher (up to five depending on applicant pool and programmatic need) to perform sponsored research on environmental assessments. The assessments will involve evaluating potential environmental and geologic hazards and risks for Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) infrastructure improvement projects. IDOT’s infrastructure projects range in size and can involve anything from a single property to hundreds of properties across many miles of existing or future highways.  IDOT uses the assessments completed by ISGS to assess each project’s needs, plan the agency’s short-term and long-term needs, assist in land acquisition decisions, and promote awareness of natural and man-made hazards that may affect the project and its construction.  This is a hybrid position.  Field vehicles and equipment are based out of our office in Lisle, Illinois, a western Chicago suburb.

• Visiting Senior Scientific Specialist, Engineering - Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

  Oct 25, 2022 8:45 am

  The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center is seeking to hire a Visiting Senior Scientific Specialist, Engineering (up to 4, depending on applicant pool and programmatic need) to perform laboratory research and operations and participate in technology development in ongoing projects pertinent to carbon management, waste management, or other relevant clean energy and resource utilization topics.  Position is based in Champaign, Illinois.

• Assistant Research Scientist, River Ecology - Illinois Natural History Survey

  Nov 2, 2022 9:00 am

  The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking a River Ecologist to Administer research activities of the Survey by managing and conducting activities focused on developing and accessing field sampling protocols used to monitor small fish Species of Greatest Conservation Needs (SGCN) in large rivers of Illinois. This position will be based in Champaign, Illinois.

• Senior Scientific Specialist, Terrestrial Ecology - Illinois Natural History Survey

  Nov 2, 2022 9:15 am

  The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking a Terrestrial Ecologist to conduct basic and applied research assisting with ongoing surveys for terrestrial reptile, bat, and noctuid moth species that are threatened, endangered, and Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and assist with planning and analysis of research studies associated with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. This position will be based in Champaign, Illinois.

• Visiting Assistant Research Scientist, Process Engineering - Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

  Nov 2, 2022 10:15 am

  The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center is seeking to hire a Visiting Assistant Research Scientist, Process Engineering (up to 5, depending on applicant pool and programmatic need) to conduct research in the areas of carbon management, waste management, or other relevant clean energy/resource utilization topics.   Position is based in Champaign, Illinois.

• Senior Associate Director for Strategic Communications or an Associate Director for Strategic Communications

  Nov 18, 2022 10:00 am

  The Prairie Research Institute is seeking a Senior Associate Director for Strategic Communications or an Associate Director for Strategic Communications (level is dependent on qualifications) to lead the Research Institute in the branding, marketing, and storytelling of PRI’s transformative science that benefits the people, economy, and environment of Illinois, the nation, and the world.

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

  Nov 18, 2022 1:45 pm

  The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking an Aquatic Ecologist to conduct basic and applied research assisting with ongoing surveys for aquatic amphibians and reptiles, freshwater mollusks, and fishes that are threatened, endangered, and Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and assist with planning and analysis of research studies associated with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. This position will be based in Champaign, Illinois.

• Senior Scientific Specialist, Land-Stream Conservation - INHS/PRI

  Nov 30, 2022 11:15 am

  The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking a Land-Stream Conservation Specialist to plan, promote, and manage easements through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). This involves coordination of office activities to facilitate new enrollments, overseeing field operations, and generating reports and summaries to describe progress toward CREP goals. This position will be based in Springfield, Illinois.