Assistant Professor
Insect Declines
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The Department of Entomology and the School of Integrative Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign invite applications from entomologists with research portfolios in which insect biodiversity loss is a key element, including understanding how anthropogenic stressors (such as land-use change, climate change, agriculture, invasive species, and pollution) are causing declines in insect abundance, biomass, species richness, or range size. Candidates whose work addresses…
amelioration of anthropogenic changes to species, populations, and people, and who are working to develop new strategies for insect and biodiversity conservation and long-term monitoring, are especially welcome to apply. We additionally encourage researchers who can build connections and expand research in understudied global regions.
The successful candidate will contribute to the mission of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Illinois, where curiosity drives impact. As the heart of a leading land-grant research university, LAS brings together diverse disciplines to explore fundamental questions and address complex challenges. We prepare students for a lifetime of inquiry, leadership, and service through innovative research, transformative teaching, and thoughtful mentoring. We strongly encourage applications from those who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to be effective teachers for our student population with its wide range of backgrounds and experiences, in alignment with the mission of our university. To learn more about the mission, vision, and values of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, visit: https://las.illinois.edu.
The position is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track faculty position at the assistant professor level, with an anticipated start date of August 16, 2027. The successful candidate is expected to develop an externally funded research program and collaborate to develop research initiatives; this position provides an opportunity to join a dynamic and well-established community of biologists with interests spanning a wide range of taxa in the School of Integrative Biology, as well as many interdisciplinary programs across the campus, including the Illinois Natural History Survey, which houses several large invertebrate collections, the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, and the Beckman Institute for Science and Technology. Responsibilities also include undergraduate and/or graduate teaching (to be determined based on departmental need and candidate strengths), participation in both undergraduate and graduate training, and to provide service to the department, the university and the profession.
Qualifications
The successful candidate must have a Ph. D. in entomology, ecology, evolution, biology, zoology, genetics/genomics, conservation biology, or a related discipline. Applicants must show evidence of research productivity and evidence (or promise of developing) teaching and mentorship effectiveness at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Candidates whose PhD may be delayed but will complete all the Ph. D. requirements within the first appointment year may be appointed at the rank of Instructor. After the Ph. D. requirement is met, the appointment will be changed to Assistant Professor.
Appointment Information
The budgeted salary range for the position is $91,800 to $98,000 at the Assistant Professor level, for a 9-month service basis (paid over 12 months). The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors, including (but not limited to) the candidate's experience and qualifications, as well as equivalent years in rank, training, and field or discipline; internal equity; and external market pay for comparable jobs. It is not typical for a beginning Assistant Professor to be offered a salary at or near the top of the full range for the position. This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy. This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000 fee.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
To apply, create your candidate profile through https://jobs.illinois.edu and submit application materials. Applicants should upload a letter of application addressing how they meet the qualifications for the position, curriculum vitae, links to 3 representative publications, a statement of teaching philosophy and interests, a statement of research interests, and contact information for three professional references. We ask that all documents be uploaded in a single .pdf file in the "Resume/CV" section.
Applications submitted through the University of Illinois Job Board will be considered. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by 6pm (CST) on October 1, 2026. Interviews may take place before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date.
Questions about the position may be directed to Kim Leigh at kaleigh@illinois.edu.
Questions regarding the application materials may be directed to lascollegehiring@illinois.edu.
Questions regarding the application portal can be directed to 217-333-2137 or jobs@illinois.edu.
To find out more about the resources available at the university and Urbana-Champaign community please visit these sites:
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (www.illinois.edu) is located approximately 120 miles south of Chicago in a metropolitan area of approximately 235,000 people. The campus is home to internationally recognized facilities and interdisciplinary programs including the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (www.igb.illinois.edu), Beckman Institute (www.beckman.illinois.edu), Energy Biosciences Institute (http://energybiosciencesinstitute.org/), W.M. Keck Center for Comparative and Functional Genomics (www.biotech.uiuc.edu/centers/Keck), National Center for Supercomputing Applications (www.ncsa.illinois.edu), and the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (https://sustainability.illinois.edu/).
The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, it reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.
Founded in 1867 as Illinois's flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university's legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career - along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.
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.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.