Prairie Research Institute

blog posts

• Director & Principal Research Scientist - Illinois Natural History Survey - Deadline to Apply: April 30, 2024 by 6:00pm

  Apr 4, 2024 8:15 am

   The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) which investigates and documents the biological resources of Illinois and other areas and acquires and provides natural history information that can be used to promote the common understanding, conservation, and management of these resources is seeking a Director who will provide strategic direction and overall administration for the Survey while also serving in a Principal Research Scientist role to administer research activities of the Survey by conceiving, recommending, implementing, directing, and participating in scientific research focused on the selected candidates area of study while contributing to the overall scientific mission of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI). This is an in-person position based in Champaign, Illinois. Applications must be received by 6:00pm (CST) on April 30, 2024. 

• Environmental Monitoring - Illinois State Water Survey, PRI

  Feb 27, 2024 9:15 am

  ISWS is seeking to hire a Visiting Scientific Specialist, Environmental Monitoring to support research activities of the Survey by providing research and technical support to the Water & Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program networks. 

  The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Our research and service programs provide citizens, industries, and government agencies at all levels with timely, science-based information and analyses necessary to manage our water resources wisely for economic development and a sustainable environment.   Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.

• Environmental Public Health - Prairie Research Institute

  Jul 18, 2023 9:00 am

  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, April 15, 2024), please visit https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/9756?c=illinois. 

• Associate Research Scientist, Engineering - Illinois State Geological Survey

  Feb 26, 2024 1:00 pm

  The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire an Associate Research Scientist, Engineering to develop and review engineering designs and models of geothermal systems.  Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

• Visiting Scientific Specialist, Geographic Information Science - Illinois State Geological Survey

  Mar 23, 2024 10:30 am

  The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire a Visiting Scientific Specialist, Geographic Information Science (up to 2 depending on applicant pool and programmatic need) to assist and collaborate with an interdisciplinary project team to 1) conduct geospatial analysis of geologic, engineering, environmental, and societal datasets, 2) facilitate access to geospatial data and analysis products internally and on the web, and 3) help develop map and data products with a goal of translating complex geological and social analysis into decision support-input and community engagement tools that are easy to understand.  Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

• Visiting Scientific Specialist, Wetlands Geology - Illinois State Geological Survey

  Mar 23, 2024 9:30 am

  The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire a Visiting Scientific Specialist, Wetlands Geology (up to 3 depending on applicant pool and programmatic need) to participate in specialized assessment and monitoring of the hydrogeology and geochemistry of wetlands, streams, bioswales, and other related environments. This position is for a specialist dedicated to field data collection and analysis to support Illinois state agencies under their environmental programs, including the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Tollway, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. This position will support the analysis and reporting for compliance with various federal (e.g., Clean Water Act) and state regulatory programs.  Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

• Scientific Specialist, Archaeology - Illinois State Archaeological Survey

  Mar 27, 2024 3:45 pm

  The Illinois State Archaeological Survey is seeking to hire a Scientific Specialist, Archaeology to assist with all levels of research projects including background research, fieldwork, artifact analysis, and report writing as well as post contact material recovery, analysis, and report writing.    Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

• Visiting Scientific Specialist, Mining & Geological Data Preservation - Illinois State Geological Survey

  Apr 16, 2024 9:15 am

  The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire a Visiting Scientific Specialist, Mining & Geological Data Preservation to catalog and archive historical data and map products of mining and geologic activities in Illinois. Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

• Assistant Research Scientist, Hydrogeology - Illinois State Geological Survey

  Apr 17, 2024 1:00 pm

  The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire an Assistant Research Scientist, Hydrogeology to carry out research including data analysis, groundwater aquifer assessments, and numerical modeling of subsurface fluid flow, to 1) characterize and describe the underground sources of drinking water (USDW) for a given area, 2) design sampling and analytical strategies to characterize the properties (e.g., composition, age, etc.) of basin fluids and, 3) conduct numerical flow modeling from basin-scale to understand the migration of basin fluids over geologic time to site-scale to predict the movement of fluids and distribution of pressure during and after active injection. develop and review engineering designs and models of geothermal systems.  Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

• Visiting Scientific Specialist, Historic Mining & Geology - Illinois State Geological Survey

  Apr 17, 2024 2:45 pm

  The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire a Visiting Scientific Specialist, Historic Mining & Geology (up to 2 depending on applicant pool and programmatic need) to conduct historical research on mining activities in Illinois to assist in the compilation and mapping of coal mine data.  Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

• Visiting Scientific Specialist, Mining Data Preservation - Illinois State Geological Survey

  Apr 17, 2024 2:45 pm

  The Illinois State Geological Survey is seeking to hire a Visiting Scientific Specialist, Mining Data Preservation to help prepare, coordinate, and copyedit technical and scientific reports and maps on mining activities in Illinois for contract fulfillment to funding agencies.. Position is based in Champaign, Illinois. 

• Assistant Research Scientist, Hunter Research

  Apr 19, 2024 10:45 am

  The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), which investigates and documents the biological resources of Illinois and other areas and acquires and provides natural history information that can be used to promote the common understanding, conservation, and management of these resources, is seeking an Assistant Research Scientist who will contribute to the research activities of the Survey by conducting research essential to the Survey’s Illinois Learn to Hunt Program.  This position will contribute to the Regional Recruitment, Retention, and Reengagement of Illinois Hunters. Remote and Hybrid work options are available.  

• Associate Research Scientist, Coastal Resilience - Prairie Research Institute

  Dec 14, 2023 4:15 pm

  The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) in partnership with Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) and the Great Lakes Higher Education Consortium (GLHEC) through the Office of the Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation at the University of Illinois System, is seeking a Coastal Resilience Scientist to conduct impactful research, enhance outreach programs, and foster collaborations in Great Lakes coastal resilience. Great Lakes coastal resilience is vital, focusing on the dynamic interaction across the critical interface encompassing land, coast, and water in response to human and climate-induced ecological and geomorphological changes. This role requires enhancing coordination, communication, and teamwork within PRI and across other university units. It involves developing and leading comprehensive outreach programs to educate a range of stakeholders from government officials to the general public about coastal resilience challenges and viable management solutions. Interaction with external partners, including governmental bodies, industries, and NGOs, is essential, along with fostering international collaborations and effectively disseminating study results through various mediums and platforms.   Position will be based in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois.