Sustainability Research Analyst - Facilities & Services

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Tuition waivers

Job summary

The Sustainability Research Analyst at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign facilitates research, teaching, and engagement between Facilities & Services and academic units. You will analyze data for grant applications, support project-based learning, and mentor student teams on campus sustainability initiatives.

You will build partnerships, coordinate stakeholder meetings, and report results while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration across campus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biotechnology, bioprocessing, bioenergy, engineering, or related field.
• One year (12 months) of education, training and/or work experience in a research setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide analysis and scientifically obtained data to researchers across the University of Illinois and peer institutions.
• Serve as a co-instructor for the Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) 190 Project Based Learning course for 200+ students annually.
• Mentor student teams and supervise student employees; guide project management and research protocols.
• Research data analysis on campus sustainability infrastructure and set science-based targets.
• Identify stakeholders and coordinate meetings; report status and results to leadership and campus community.
• Support interdisciplinary sustainability initiatives and campus engagement through lectures and collaborations.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology, Bioprocessing, Bioenergy, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Sustainability Research Analyst - Facilities & Services

Job Summary The Sustainability Research Analyst is responsible for facilitating research, teaching, and engagement between Facilities & Services (F&S) and academic units at the University of Illinois. This role focuses on research and student inquiries, providing scientific analysis for inclusion in grant applications, participating in educational classes and programs, and engaging with university research partners. Responsibilities include building internal and external partnerships, facilitating collaborative research projects, securing funding, implementing online educational resources, and working directly with students, faculty, staff, and community members. The Sustainability Research Analyst will research and scientifically quantify safe and sustainable solutions to implement through F&S.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide analysis and scientifically obtained data and best practices to researchers across the University of Illinois and peer R1 institutions nationally. This includes being the primary F&S contact for scientists, translational research, and teachers. This includes tracking requests, issues, and progress towards solutions, as well as researching and scientifically quantifying safe and sustainable solutions to implement through F&S.
• Serve as a co-instructor for the Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) 190 Project Based Learning course. This includes participating in the weekly faculty team meetings, providing guidance and expertise on campus facilities and procedures to the 200+ students each year, and teaching student teams about project implementation principles and requirements.
• Mentor student teams through directly explaining project management protocols. Guide student researchers and provide scientific data, research protocols, and access to appropriate subject matter experts. Provide guidance for student capstone project(s), class inquiries, and research teams. Supervise and guide student employees.
• Research and complete data analysis regarding campus sustainability infrastructure and identify scientifically-based goals for campus sustainability plans that meet the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) protocols. Present findings at conferences, seminars, and related stakeholder groups.
• Identify the appropriate F&S stakeholders by facilitating meetings with department heads at F&S and seeking leadership direction for appropriate stakeholders. Serve as a point of contact for the collaboration partner, regarding related funding and needs. Provide regular reporting on status and results. Provide strong customer service to the campus community members that are served by F&S.
• Manage the Bike at Illinois annual program. Administratively responsible for implementing program priorities, setting goals and objectives for student interns. Oversight of the bicycle programming and infrastructure fee (Bike Fee) projects, including all bicycle infrastructure improvement projects and seeking additional funding for bicycle infrastructure improvements.
• Serve as a guest lecturer for campus courses for topics related to Academic Collaborations with F&S, such as bioenergy topics, fleet transition topics, energy efficiency topics, clean energy topics, and more. This includes sharing results from research collaborations and data-driven sustainability solutions at relevant conferences.
• Promote and encourage interdisciplinary research initiatives with F&S. This includes spreading awareness of the existing programs for energy, transportation, green infrastructure, etc. Spreading awareness may include participating in campus-wide awareness events, hosting engagement events, and maintaining online information. Serve on campus committees related to research and engagement, such as the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) topical teams. Update related webpages, accordingly, including the iCAP Portal and the F&S Sustainability pages.
• Research sustainable transportation innovations, such as incorporating bio-binder in asphalts, biofuels for vehicles, self-healing concrete, and asphalt, using other scientifically-based solutions to reduce the university's carbon footprint from transportation infrastructure projects, and similar initiatives.
• Assist Transportation Demand Management (TDM) by helping to initiate transportation infrastructure projects (such as complete streets, permeable pavements, and electric vehicle infrastructure), ensuring their timely implementation, and communicating with customers.
• Support the Mission, Vision, Values and Guiding Principles of Facilities & Services.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Work will occur in a typical office environment.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology, Bioprocessing, Bioenergy, Engineering, or other related field. 2. A total of one (1) year (12 months) in education, training and/or work experience in a research setting.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5002 - Program Coordinator position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 12/14/2026. The budgeted salary range for this position is $65,450 to $70,000 per year. This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization. For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Benefits

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• A Retirement Plan
• Paid time Off
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents

Equal Opportunity Employer

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 Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Disability Accommodations

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 reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail].

Application Deadline

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on November 15, 2026.

About the Employer

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. 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.

Champaign-Urbana

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.