Roadside Ecology Center
The Roadside Ecology Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale studies and mitigates the impacts of roadways and transportation on wildlife and ecosystems.
A dual mission of compliance and research
ComplianceThe Center provides the environmental compliance services for the Illinois Department of Transportation required under state and federal law for transportation projects - species surveys, wetland delineations, and impact assessments that keep IDOT projects moving while minimizing, mitigating, or avoiding impacts to wildlife and ecosystems.
ResearchThe Center aims to be a leading applied research program in road ecology. With varied ecosystems and human needs, the Center will develop research informing regional threatened and endangered species recovery, wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation, wildlife-friendly infrastructure and policy, and leading roadside wetland ecosystem science.
We're building our team now!
The Center is in its founding year and currently recruiting for several positions. We plan to hire 10 scientists during Fall 2026 and 3 additional positions over Winter 2026/27. Graduate student opportunities will also be posted during Fall/Winter.
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Leads the scientific and compliance operations of the Center’s biological and wetland science team.
PhD Required
Salary Range: $96,000-$110,000
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(8) full-time Interdisciplinary Scientists. These positions conduct field-based ecological research and environmental compliance work in support of the Center’s mission to assess and mitigate the impacts of transportation infrastructure on wildlife and ecosystems.
Msc Required; PhD preferred
Salary: $72,000-$96,000
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Provides technical and scientific leadership for the Center’s conservation planning, spatial prioritization, remote sensing, and ecological modeling activities.
Msc Required; PhD preferred
Salary: $72,000-$96,000
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Serves as the spatial data lead for the Center.
BSc Required; MSc preferred
Salary: $84,000-$102,000
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Builds and leads a citizen science program within the Roadside Ecology Center.
BS Required; MSc Preferred
Salary: $55,000 – $65,000
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Serves as the public voice of the Roadside Ecology Center
BS required