Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. It houses five State Scientific Surveys, covering a wide range of expertise that includes biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology.  PRI’s mission is to provide objective, integrated scientific research and service that allow citizens and decision-makers to make choices that ensure sustainable economic development, enduring environmental quality, and cultural resource preservation for the people, businesses, and across Illinois, the nation, and the world. Learn more at https://go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.

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. This individual would work closely with Firebird Co-PI Dr. Jim Lyons of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The Firebird project works together to address uncertainties around the response of Eastern Black Rail and Mottled Duck to the application of prescribed fire in high marsh habitats along the Gulf Coast. This position would involve working with data from the first five years, and would be working as part of the team to further develop our adaptive resource management models to incorporate new hypotheses around the role of microtopography and prescribed fire, as the project enters its second phase and new data is collected over the next several years.

The successful candidate will be able to work and communicate well with a large team (over 30 people) spread across many institutions (12+ organizations), with most communication occurring virtually.

This position offers the opportunity for Workplace Flexibility as defined per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy. Remote and Hybrid work decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, considering the mission and business needs of the University and respective units.

Why Work at the Prairie Research Institute?

Highlights of Employee Benefits

Duties & Responsibilities:

The postdoc will work with Dr. Auriel Fournier, Director of the Forbes Biological Station, Illinois Natural History Survey, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Dr. Jim Lyons, USGS, as well as the broader Firebird team to update our existing adaptive resource management models (in the form of a Bayes Net) with newly collected data and updated the Bayes net to include our microtopography objective.

Project-specific tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Annual updates of the Bayes net with new data
• Plan and lead adaptive resource management workshops with our end users to get their feedback in updating the Bayes Net to include the microtopography objective.
• Assist with the preparation of scientific presentations and present results at workshops and conferences.
• Assist with the preparation of and write interim reports and final reports.
• Prepare, write, and submit peer-reviewed publications.

• Respond to requests for scientific/technical information and communicate effectively with collaborators.

Minimum Qualifications 

• Ph.D. (within the last 10 years or by the start date) in wildlife ecology, natural resources, or related discipline, with a research interest in quantitative approaches.
• Strong understanding of structured decision making (SDM) and hypothesis-driven management in applied ecological contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and analyze complex ecological studies, including adaptive management experiments and monitoring programs.
• Proficiency in quantitative methods and statistical modeling, including hierarchical and occupancy models, Bayesian decision networks, data simulation, and power analysis, primarily using R.
• Proven skill in facilitating interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder workshops to support consensus building, problem framing, objective setting, and management decision-making.
• Strong scientific communication skills, including preparation of peer-reviewed manuscripts, technical reports, and presentations for scientific, management, and conservation audiences.
• Ability to work independently, analyze complex datasets, and translate scientific findings into actionable management recommendations for granting agencies, scientific audiences, and the public, both orally and in writing.
• Capacity for teamwork and to maintain productive working relationships with diverse partners, and to contribute scientific expertise in meetings, workshops, and peer review.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will possess strong expertise in applied ecological research and adaptive management, with demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and analyzing studies that evaluate the effects of management actions on threatened, endangered, and hunted species. Required skills include structured decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, and facilitation of stakeholder-driven workshops to support conservation planning. The candidate should be proficient in quantitative and statistical modeling, including hierarchical and Bayesian approaches, data simulation, and power analysis using R. The ability to disseminate results through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and presentations to a variety of audiences is essential. The position also requires the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced research environment with multiple priorities, exercising sound judgment and attention to detail.

Environmental Demands

Overnight travel may be necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this position. The work of this position takes place in an office setting. The work is sedentary and involves remaining in a stationary position for extended periods, working at a computer, using a keyboard and mouse, and using repetitive hand motions.

Appointment Information
This is a full-time, 100% Postdoctoral Research Associate position. The budgeted salary is $60,000 and is commensurate with education, experience, and skill, while also considering internal equity. This position is available for up to three years, contingent on continued funding and programmatic need. The preferred start date is April 1, 2026.