This job was posted by https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov : For more information, please see: https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/11836224 Associate Research Scientist, Coastal Resilience

Prairie Research Institute

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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 large 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 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 governments of Illinois. Learn more at https://prairie.illinois.edu/about/jobs/

PRI in partnership with Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) and the Great Lakes Higher Education Consortium (GLHEC) through the Office of the Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation at the University of Illinois System, is seeking a Coastal Resilience Scientist to conduct impactful research, enhance outreach programs, and foster collaborations in Great Lakes coastal resilience. Great Lakes coastal resilience is vital, focusing on the dynamic interaction across the critical interface encompassing land, coast, and water in response to human and climate-induced ecological and geomorphological changes. This role requires enhancing coordination, communication, and teamwork within the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) and across other university units. It involves developing and leading comprehensive outreach programs to educate a range of stakeholders from government officials to the general public about coastal resilience challenges and viable management solutions. Interaction with external partners, including governmental bodies, industries, and NGOs, is essential, along with fostering international collaborations and effectively disseminating study results through various mediums and platforms. Position will be based in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Lead and conduct research in Great Lakes coastal resilience focusing on the critical land-coast-water interface and the interaction between various scientific domains.

Serve as principal investigator, managing grant funding, producing reports, and delivering research outputs related to coastal issues.

Identify and pursue externally funded research opportunities related to coastal resilience to drive multidisciplinary collaborative research including the development of a Great Lakes Coastal Observatory.

Facilitate multidisciplinary teamwork within PRI and with other University units and external colleagues.

Engage with colleagues from various regions on common coastal resilience issues and the development of multi-state/multi-national projects.

Collaborate with IISG partners to ensure the inclusiveness of under-resourced communities in the Lake Michigan resilience network.

Develop and implement outreach programs informed by applied research outcomes to educate various stakeholders about coastal resilience challenges and solutions, with emphasis on underserved audiences.

Communicate research results through diverse channels such as journal articles, public pamphlets, social media, workshops, and public speaking.

Engage with a variety of stakeholders, including elected officials, industry representatives, international partners, and the general public to promote the value of coastal research.

Provide technical guidance to various municipal, state, and federal management agencies involved in coastal resilience activities and planning.

Review and analyze existing laws and statutes for com atibility with the impacts of lake-level change for the purpose of defining regional coastal resilience recommendations.

Respond to information requests, providing technical expertise to a variety of stakeholders.

Contribute to educational, outreach, and service areas to PRI, GLHEC, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, the University of Illinois, and the state of Illinois.

Enhance the reputation of PRI, GLHEC, and IISG at the state, national, and international levels.

Perform other duties as needed to further the mission and goals of PRI.

Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D. in geological/earth science, ecology, biology, environmental science, atmospheric science, or engineering with a minimum of 5 years related industry or research experience, which includes experience conducting research in Great Lakes or ocean coastal settings and supervisory and/or team leadership experience. Experience and/or knowledge with protocols, techniques, and equipment used by Great Lakes coastal scientists and ecologists. Experience in data analysis and communication including report writing and publication of research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and record of writing successful externally sponsored grant proposals. Interest and evidence of ability to develop and execute a coastal resilience outreach/extension program. Established scientific and publication record or equivalent professional achievement and experience. Demonstrated experie