At the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE), we believe the most urgent challenges facing our world demand bold ideas and collaborative action. iSEE advances interdisciplinary research that leads to real-world solutions in climate, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and land and water systems. Our work is grounded in a shared commitment to sustainability, equity, and impact.

At iSEE, your work contributes to something larger than any one discipline or person. It’s a place where big ideas are welcomed, diverse perspectives are valued, and collaboration is essential.

Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to grow your impact, we invite you to explore how your path can intersect with ours.

Assistant/Associate Professor in Agroecology — College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES)

We are seeking candidates who have or will develop a nationally recognized research program focused on agroecology with relevance to circular bioeconomy systems. Preference will be given to candidates who adopt a holistic view, apply interdisciplinary approaches, and address questions within the broader context of climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. Specific research areas could include, but are not limited to, food security and biodiversity, soil organic matter, carbon sequestration, sustainable soil management, multifunctional landscapes and ecosystem services, and agroforestry. The successful applicant will be expected to secure extramural funding, recruit and mentor graduate students, publish regularly in leading peer-reviewed scientific journals, and direct ASAP while expanding its scope.

The candidate also should demonstrate excellence in teaching and mentoring students and a commitment to the land-grant mission of the university. Teaching responsibilities typically include two courses per academic year and may include hybrid or online offerings.

A Ph.D. in an appropriate field is required. For the Assistant Professor level, postdoctoral research experience is preferred. For the Associate Professor level, evidence should be provided of established research and teaching effectiveness appropriate for appointment with tenure.

Assistant Professor in Mycology/Plant-fungal Interactions — Department of Plant Biology

The recruitment for this position is part of a campus-wide cluster hiring initiative aimed at developing an interdisciplinary program in Climate-smart Circular Bioeconomy (CCB) in association with the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE). Candidates should have an interest in developing a strong disciplinary and interdisciplinary research program that advances scholarship on topics with relevance to a circular bioeconomy. The cluster hires will foster innovative ideas and problem-oriented approaches in an interdisciplinary research ecosystem on campus to advance scholarship in the emerging field of CCB that contribute to a vibrant, competitive, and circular bioeconomy nationally and globally.

The cluster of faculty hired will receive support to enhance their interdisciplinary research, education and outreach programs, from iSEE, with the goal of securing both public and private funding to advance this field of study. The departments participating in this cluster hire include the following: Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE), Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE), Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES) and Plant Biology. These hires will add to the strong foundation for scholarship, education and outreach in CCB that exists across our campus in areas related to digital agriculture, advanced bioeconomy and bioproducts, regenerative agriculture, agro-ecosystem sustainability and social and behavioral sciences.

The Department of Plant Biology is housed within the School of Integrative Biology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. We are excited to invite applications for a tenure-track research and teaching role at the level of Assistant Professor. We seek individuals with research excellence in mycology, plant-fungal interactions and/or fungal metabolomics relevant to research on circular economies in food and agricultural systems, post-consumer food and plastic waste, and sustainable agricultural systems. The successful applicant will engage with a highly collaborative departmental community with strengths in photosynthesis research, global change, plant molecular and cellular biology, genomics, and ecology. Exceptional opportunities exist for collaborations through the Institute for Genomic Biology, iSEE, Center for Advanced Biofuel and Bioproduct Innovation (CABBI); Center for Digital Agriculture (CDA); National Center for Supercomputer Applications (NCSA); AI Institute for Future Agricultural Resilience, Management and Sustainability (AIFARMS), I-REGEN (Illinois, Regenerative Agriculture Initiative), Agroecosystem Sustainability Center (ASC), Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (IFAB), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded Realizing Improved Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) project and the Levenick Center for Climate-Smart Circular Bioeconomy.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop an externally funded research program, teach at undergraduate and graduate levels, and collaborate with faculty to develop research and education initiatives in plant biology and mycology. We seek candidates with demonstrated experience engaging with students representing the full breath of identities to impact the holistic educational and learning environment of the students enrolled in the department and the campus at large. Applicants are encouraged to include in their cover letter information about how they will further our commitment to these values. A Ph.D. or equivalent in biology, or another relevant field is required, and postdoctoral experience is highly desirable.

Assistant/Associate Professor — Strategic Hiring Initiative in Climate-smart Circular Bioeconomy (CCB)

The recruitment for this position is part of a campus-wide cluster hiring initiative aimed at developing an interdisciplinary program in Climate-smart Circular Bioeconomy (CCB) in association with the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE). Candidates should have an interest in developing a strong disciplinary and interdisciplinary research program that advances scholarship on topics related to a circular bioeconomy. The cluster hires will foster innovative ideas and problem-oriented approaches in an interdisciplinary research ecosystem on campus to advance scholarship in the emerging field of CCB that contribute to a vibrant, competitive, and circular bioeconomy nationally and globally.

The cluster of faculty hired will receive support to enhance their interdisciplinary research, education and outreach programs, from iSEE, with the goal of securing both public and private funding to advance this field of study. The departments participating in this cluster hire include the following: Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE), Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE), Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES) and Plant Biology. These hires will add to the strong foundation for scholarship, education and outreach in CCB that exists across our campus in areas related to digital agriculture, advanced bioeconomy and bioproducts, regenerative agriculture, agro-ecosystem sustainability and social and behavioral sciences.

ACE is excited to invite applications for a tenure-track/tenured research and teaching role at the level of Assistant or Associate Professor. We encourage applications from Ph.D. candidates who are nearing the completion of their studies, as well as established scholars. We seek individuals with research excellence in the application of economics and systems-thinking to the area of CCB systems which includes but is not limited to research on circular economy in food and agricultural systems, post-consumer food and plastic waste, economics of bioenergy and bioproducts, carbon reduction strategies, and sustainable agricultural systems.  The successful applicant’s research program is expected to advance knowledge through quantitative methods and engaging in interdisciplinary collaborations. Teaching responsibilities would generally include two courses per year, at the undergraduate or graduate level, and an expectation of providing leadership to the undergraduate concentration in Environmental Economics & Policy and graduate student supervision.

Internships and Student Opportunities

At iSEE, students are essential to our mission, not just as future leaders, but as active contributors to the work we do today.

Our internships provide real-world experience, meaningful mentorship, and an opportunity to develop your skills while making a positive impact. You’ll work alongside professionals who value your perspective and support your growth, all within a research institute that’s helping lead the transition to a more sustainable world.

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive community. iSEE welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and identities.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact the Office for Access & Equity at accessandequity@illinois.edu or (217) 333-0885.

To learn more about the university’s commitment to nondiscrimination and accessibility, visit: humanresources.illinois.edu/job-seekers