Visiting Scientific Specialist, Large River Ecology - INHS/PRI

Visiting Scientific Specialist, Large River Ecology Illinois Natural History Survey Prairie Research Institute The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, houses five State Scientific Surveys covering a wide range of expertise, including biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology. PRI’s mission is to provide objective, integrated scientific research and services 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. The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), one of the five Scientific Surveys housed by the Prairie Research Institute, is seeking a Visiting Large River Ecologist who will contribute to monitoring and applied field and laboratory research and to the coordination of lab operations for the Illinois River Biological Station. This is an in-person opportunity with the ability to be on site on a regular basis. This position is located at the Illinois River Biological Station in Havana, Illinois. Duties & Responsibilities Include Contribute to the design, development, and implementation of laboratory and field-based research studies related to fisheries, river ecology, otolith analysis, and other aquatic science projects. Support the development of research methodologies, protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and workflows to support the collection, processing, analysis, and interpretation of biological and environmental data. Contribute to and oversee the collection, processing, preparation, and analysis of otolith and other biological samples in support of research objectives. Apply established and emerging techniques for otolith preparation, including mounting, sectioning, photographing, age estimation, and measurement, and evaluate methods for improving accuracy, efficiency, and reproducibility. Explore, mine, and integrate historical datasets and biological collections to support new and ongoing research questions. Collaborate on multidisciplinary field and laboratory investigations, including fisheries, limnological, and hydrological research. Provide necessary information to public constituents, research associates, and collaborating research agencies. Maintain databases for various projects. Analyze data files to ensure quality control and assurance. Organize, document, archive, and manage research data and biological materials to ensure their integrity and availability for future natural history, ecological, and resource-management research. Contribute to the development and distribution of technical reports to granting agencies, the Survey, and PRI. Provide recommendations to funding agencies, collaborators, and other interested parties. Assist with the preparation of manuscripts and technical reports for peer-reviewed publications as well as presentations for professional meetings. Assist with training and mentoring technicians in research methods, laboratory techniques, data collection, sample processing, quality assurance, and established research protocols. Delegate tasks to technicians, inventory and catalog otolith and other biological materials in the lab and maintain lab safety and cleanliness. Assign and monitor research-related tasks to ensure data and samples are collected, processed, and documented accurately and according to project requirements. Assist with the supervision, training, and leadership of hourly technicians to achieve success and foster a culture of innovation and high-level performance at both individual and organizational levels. Coordinate procurement of laboratory, field, and research supplies and equipment necessary to support ongoing studies. Ensure laboratory, field, marine, and research safety…

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