Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) is searching for an AIS specialist to work with the Illinois Natural History Survey to develop, direct, and assess the effectiveness of outreach and engagement activities for various stakeholders needing scientific information on Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) affecting Lake Michigan and the inland waters of Illinois and Indiana, as well as conduct social science research to help guide outreach efforts. Master’s degree—PhD preferred—related to subject matter emphasis and relevant experience are required. To view the complete job description and apply, visit the listing on the University of Illinois website. Closing date is January 28, 2022. 

INCLUSION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

University of Illinois is an equal access/equal opportunity university. We strongly encourage women, minorities, and people from traditionally underrepresented groups to apply. For more on Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant’s commitment to inclusion, please see our values statement.

Job Duties

Outreach

• Contribute in the area of outreach and engagement in the service of INHS (Illinois Natural History Survey), PRI (Prairie Research Institute), IISG (Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant), the University, and the states of Illinois and Indiana.
• Seek and secure external funding to maintain a robust outreach and research program.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the AIS outreach program.
• Develop and deliver a variety of science-based outreach tools regarding aquatic invasive species (AIS) to address the needs of a wide range of stakeholders in Illinois, Indiana, and the wider Great Lakes region.
• Ensure that programming addresses the diversity of stakeholders
• Present outreach findings and activities in peer-reviewed literature and at conferences and meetings.
• Maintain strong working relationships within Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG).
• Develop new and maintain existing partnerships throughout the Great Lakes region.
• Represent the Survey, PRI, IISG, and the University of Illinois on committees by serving on local, state, regional, and federal committees.

Research

• Conduct social science research that informs programmatic outreach activities.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the AIS program’s outreach activities.
• Develop research collaborations with partners from agencies, non-government organizations, and academic institutions.
• Present research findings and activities in peer-reviewed literature as well as via conferences and meetings.

Administration and Mentoring

• Supervise and lead staff to achieve success and foster a culture of innovation and high-level performance at both individual and organizational levels. This includes task assignment, scheduling, and ongoing performance management with coaching and feedback, and travel approval.
• Oversee administration of grants including budgeting, reporting, and other principal investigator duties.
• Advise, supervise, and mentor undergraduate and graduate students as time permits.
• Serve on graduate advisory committees as time permits.
• Prepare internal reports, reports to sponsoring agencies, and scientific reports for distribution to stakeholders.

APPLICATION

To apply, go to https://jobs.illinois.edu/academic-job-board/job-details?jobID=156761&job=vst-asst-research-sci-aquatic-invasive-species-engagement-il-natural-history-survey-pri-156761. Log in to your account and upload a cover letter and resume as well as the names and contact information of three professional references. Resume dates must be in month/year format and employment history, at a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of your undergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. To receive full consideration, all requested application materials must be submitted via the online system by the close date of January 28, 2022. 

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is a part of University of Illinois Extension and Purdue Extension.