Executive Director -- Prairie Research Institute

The Prairie Research Institute is... a world-class multi-disciplinary unit of the University of Illinois that provides a unique balance of research, expertise, and data on the natural and cultural resources of Illinois to benefit the state’s economy, environment, and people. There is no comparable entity in any other state or university. Institute scientists and engineers pursue basic and applied research and provide objective, integrated, practical advice to public and private sectors. Our researchers encompass a wide breadth of expertise and draw upon over 160 years of collections, records, and data sets. The Prairie Research Institute is the umbrella organization for the state’s five scientific surveys, including the: Illinois Natural History Survey, the Illinois State Geological Survey, the Illinois State Water Survey , the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, and the Illinois State Archaeological Survey. More than 1,000 scientists and staff work in 75 locations around Illinois, pursing projects that include: a federally funded Energy Frontier Research Center to study carbon dioxide storage; major archeological work for the construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge at St. Louis; water supply planning; development of technologies and service programs to support “greener” industry; floodplain mapping; understanding and managing natural resources, native species, and invasive species; among many others. FY14 expenditures (including externally funded research expenditures) totaled nearly $78 million. The Institute reports to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. Urbana-Champaign is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis: http://welcometochampaignurbana.com/ the-cu-community/micro-urban/ The University is a land-grant institution that provides access to world-class laboratory and academic facilities, Big Ten athletic events, and internationally acclaimed cultural opportunities. Learn more at www.prairie.illinois.edu The Executive Director will: • Provide leadership, direction and overall administration for the development, coordination and implementation of scientific research and service programs, activities and professional services undertaken and provided by the state surveys, and centers and initiatives of the Institute. • Encourage, foster and develop collaborative research, service efforts and relationships with the University of Illinois community and its stakeholders and with external constituents within the State. • Supervise and lead Survey/Center Directors and PRI management and staff to achieve success and foster a culture of innovation and high level performance at both the individual and organizational level. • Encourage and lead a strong commitment to diversity through establishing retention and recruiting priorities. • Foster a culture of open communication and promote awareness of and education about safety and safe working methods. • Ensure the Institute gathers, disseminates and archives accurate, objective and relevant scientific information for government, business and the public related to the environmental quality, economic prosperity and public safety with a focus on the natural history, water, geological, cultural and atmospheric resources and in the development and implementation of sustainable technologies. • Ensure the Institute’s legislative responsibilities to provide scientific advice to Illinois and municipal agencies and businesses are met. • Encourage and promote the research enterprise including proposal writing, research innovation, teaching and education; identify and secure state, federal, and private sources of funding. • Facilitate Institute, survey and center development efforts. • Organize and convene the Prairie Research Institute Advisory Board. Qualifications: PhD or equivalent in a science, engineering or other field relevant to the mission and goals of the Institute. Significant administrative experience in bringing science to bear on public policy decisions, experience managing a scientific survey or organization of comparable scope and complexity; familiarity with academic research environments; experience in forming and maintaining relationships with state, federal, relevant non-governmental organizations and citizens; and an established record of obtaining sponsored funding from state and federal agencies and the private sector and actively facilitating research endeavors. This position is appointed on a 12-month service basis. A tenure option is available for candidates with an academic track record appropriate for a tenured full professor at the University, or commensurately significant other qualifications. The starting date is negotiable. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Applications submitted by April 15, 2015 shall recieved full consideration. To apply, please visit: https:jobs.illinois.edu/academic-job-board to complete an online profile and to upload 1) Letter of interest and qualification (not to exceed three pages), 2) CV, 3) Names and contact information for five (5) professional references. For further information, please contact Susan Key, Director of Portfolio Human Resources, susankey@illinois.edu. The University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu