Principal Research Scientist/Director Illinois Natural History Survey Prairie Research Institute University of Illinois
The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, is seeking a Principal Research Scientist/Director of the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS). The successful individual will serve as the lead scientist and chief executive officer for INHS, will provide leadership, direction, and overall administration for the development, coordination, and implementation of scientific programs undertaken by INHS. The mission of INHS is to investigate and document the biological resources of Illinois and other areas nationally and globally, and to acquire and provide rigorous, scientific information that can be used to promote the common understanding, conservation, and management of these resources. INHS maintains research programs in basic and applied ecology, systematics, environmental health, and biogeography that stand at the forefront of efforts to understand the biological processes and components that shape the environment. INHS also acts as a long-term repository of biological collections and ecological data, and disseminates information to the scientific community, government agencies, and the general public. More than 260 scientists and staff contribute to the programs at INHS; FY17 expenditures (including externally funded research expenditures) totaled more than $75 million. As a Principal Research Scientist, the successful candidate will be expected to pursue relevant research opportunities, secure external funding in support of research, to present results in peer-reviewed publications, and to network and collaborate with faculty, scientists, and various stakeholders within the University of Illinois and other institutions. As Director, the successful candidate will provide leadership, direction, and overall administration for the development, coordination, and implementation of scientific research and service programs undertaken by INHS. The Director will participate in PRI leadership, and represent INHS interests to PRI as well as elsewhere inside and outside of the University. Additionally, the Director will be expected to identify cutting-edge research foci and other multi- disciplinary research themes related to INHS and PRI, encourage, promote, and facilitate research, and identify and secure funding from state, federal and private sources. The position requires a Ph.D. in a scientific discipline relevant to the mission of PRI and INHS, significant experience in academic or government research environments, administrative experience in a university or state, federal, or non-government organization, and an established record of scholarship and obtaining sponsored funding from state and federal agencies and/or the private sector. An additional faculty tenure or non- tenure option may be entertained for candidates with an academic track record or commensurately significant other qualifications. The starting date is negotiable. Salary is commensurate with experience. To ensure full consideration, applications should be submitted by October 20, 2017; however, the search will remain open until a successful candidate is identified. For additional information, including instructions on how to apply, please visit https://jobs.illinois.edu/academic-job-board. You may also contact Lori Walston-Vonderharr, Human Resources, Prairie Research Institute at [email protected]. The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. The U of I is an EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled http://www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu. The full job description can be found at: https://jobs.illinois.edu/academic-job-board/job-details? jobID=85685&job=principal-research-scientist-director-illinois-natural- history-survey
