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| Company Name: |
University of Illinois |
| Location: |
Urbana, IL |
| Position Type: |
Full Time |
| Post Date: |
03/06/2026 |
| Expire Date: |
04/05/2026 |
| Job Categories: |
Education, Collegiate Faculty, Staff, Administration |
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Research Specialist in Life Sciences - Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
<span style="font-family: Arial"><h2 style="text-align: center">Research Specialist in Life Sciences - Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</h2><h3 style="text-align: center">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</h3>The Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB) isan interdisciplinary research institute at the University of IllinoisUrbana-Champaign, built on a team-science approach. Its mission is to advancelife sciences research, engage the public in understanding the impact ofgenomic discoveries, and foster bioeconomic development across Illinois. IGBresearchers lead groundbreaking genomic studies that tackle critical societalchallenges in food security, energy, health, technology, and environmental sustainability.The institute’s administrative infrastructure is designed to support dynamicresearch themes, enabling them to evolve with emerging discoveries, innovativemethods, and changing needs.<br><br><h4>Job Summary</h4>This position will manage a state-of-the-art bee research facility, providing research training to student researchers, maintaining healthy honeybee colonies, monitoring and recording health metrics, and overseeing the apiary operations for multiple honeybee researchers. This person will also participate in public engagement and scientific outreach. <h4>Duties & Responsibilities</h4><ul><li>Colony Management <br> • Maintain approximately 50–100 healthy honeybee colonies.<br> • Monitor and record colony health metrics, including population strength, queen status, disease and pest levels, and productivity.<br> • Implement best practices for nutrition, disease prevention, and seasonal management.<br> • Drive university vehicle between apiaries to maintain honeybee colonies. </li><li>Student Training & Research Support <br> • Train undergraduate and graduate students in safe and effective beekeeping practices.<br> • Assist in planning, setting up, and execution of research experiments involving honeybees.<br> • Provide guidance on data collection protocols and field logistics.<br> • Follow established beekeeping safety protocols to ensure safe handling of hives and equipment.</li><li>Facilities Maintenance & Development <br> • Maintain bee research facilities through routine upkeep, repairs, and small-scale construction projects.<br> • Ensure safe, functional, and compliant workspaces for field and laboratory activities.<br> • Coordinate equipment and infrastructure needs with research staff.</li><li>Pollinator Outreach <br> • Develop and deliver educational materials and programs for public and stakeholder audiences.<br> • Support outreach events that promote pollinator health and research impacts.</li><li>Equipment Maintenance & Honey Production<br> • Maintain and repair beekeeping equipment.<br> • Plan, manage, and document the annual honey harvest, including processing and storage.</li><li>Personnel Coordination<br> • Foster effective working relationships among bee research personnel.<br> • Serve as a liaison between research staff and principal investigators.<br> • Address and help resolve interpersonal or operational conflicts.</li></ul><br><h4>Additional Physical Demands</h4>Environmental Demands: Some hours during the warmer months spent outdoors in variable weather conditions. Work may be required on nights, weekends, and holidays. Must wear protective clothing such as veils, gloves, and bee suits. Must also properly use bee smokers and other hive tools to safely access the hives.<h4>Minimum Qualifications</h4><p>Bachelor’s Degree required.Experience in beekeeping, including knowledge and ability to identify and treat problems related to bee diseases, pests, and predators. Operate company vehicle to travel between job sites and apiaries (valid driver’s license required).</p><h4> Preferred Qualifications</h4><p>Bachelor’s Degree in a Biology, Entomology, or other Life Sciences field. Alternate degree fields may be considered with equivalent and relevant experience.<br><br>Experience in the handling and/or fabrication of beekeeping equipment. <br>Experience in woodworking or fabrication of specialized equipment. <br>Experience in queen rearing and pest management. <br>Experience in field and/or laboratory research. <br>Experience in scientific outreach.</p><h4>Knowledge, Skills and Abilities</h4><ul><li>Familiarly with a great number of hive implements and equipment used in beekeeping. </li><li>Knowledge of beekeeping safety protocols, including proper use of protective equipment and safe hive handling practices.</li><li>Ability to rear queens and run a successful queen rearing operation from start to finish.</li><li>Ability to identify flower blooms and honey flows in order to understand possible changes in experiments due to changes in environment.</li><li>Familiarity with risk prevention and emergency response related to beekeeping activities.</li><li>Experience with staff management and interpersonal skills.</li><li>Must be able to communicate effectively with others </li></ul><h4>Appointment Information</h4><p>This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 4/1/2026. The budgeted salary range for this position is $50,000 to $60,000 per year. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.<br><strong><br>This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000 fee.</strong></p><h4>Application Procedures & Deadline Information</h4><p>Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Monday, March 23, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through <a href="https://jobs.illinois.edu">https://jobs.illinois.edu</a> will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Jana Lenz at janalenz@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.</p><p></p><p>At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — <strong>every staff member helps shape what’s next</strong>. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.</p><p><a href="https://makeitcu.com/" title="https://makeitcu.com/">Champaign-Urbana</a></p><p><em>Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.</em></p><p id="benefitStatement">This position is intended to be <a href="https://go.illinois.edu/workatillinois">eligible for benefits</a>. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.</p><hr><p align="center">The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit <a href="https://go.uillinois.edu/noticesandposters" target="_blank">Required Employment Notices and Posters</a> to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through <a href="https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf" target="_blank">E-Verify</a>.</p><p align="center">Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the <a href="http://go.illinois.edu/accommodationportal" title="http://go.illinois.edu/accommodationportal">reasonable accommodation portal</a>, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or <a title="mailto:accessibility@illinois.edu">accessibility@illinois.edu</a>.</p><hr><p><strong>Requisition ID</strong>: 1035236<br><strong>Job Category</strong>: Research<br><strong>Apply at:</strong> <a href="https://jobs.illinois.edu">https://jobs.illinois.edu</a></p><a name="HEJobs" type="hidden" value=""></a><a name="Billing_Name" type="hidden" value=""></a><a name="Billing_Email" type="hidden" value=""></a></span>
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| Company Name: |
University of Illinois |
| Website: | https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/16309?c=illinois |
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