Physics Jobs in Illinois
Physics jobs in Illinois are consistently active, concentrated in research institutions, national laboratories, and advanced manufacturing, with openings at every level from entry-level research associate to principal scientist. The strongest hiring is in Chicago, Batavia, and Champaign-Urbana, where employers like Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, and the University of Chicago maintain deep, ongoing physics workforces. The most in-demand specialties are accelerator physics, condensed matter research, and applied instrumentation. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Position Type:
High School Teaching/Science - Physics
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Date Posted:
10/28/2026
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Location:
505 Washington Blvd Oak Park IL 60302
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Date Available:
ASAP
Fenwick High School is a Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory high school. Founded in 1929 by the Dominican Friars, this private school of over 100 faculty and staff is dedicated to empowering our students to grow intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and physically in a disciplined and diverse environment. As a Dominican institution, Fenwick High School continues the great Dominican tradition of inclusion and welcome for the common good. We believe experiencing racial, gender, ethnic, religious and socio-economic diversity enriches everyone involved in the educational enterprise. Fenwick commits itself to welcoming every student, faculty and staff member who would flourish by embracing our Dominican, Catholic, college preparatory curriculum. Fenwick pledges that no one will face discrimination based on race, gender, religion, culture, ethnicity or sexual orientation. The school offers a rigorous academic program, including college prep, honors and AP coursework, as well as a variety of clubs, athletics and service opportunities.
Job Purpose:
Faculty at Fenwick High School provide instruction and guidance to their students, in support of Fenwick's mission to educate and empower students to lead, achieve, and serve.
For the 2026-27 school year, Fenwick High School anticipates a possible, immediate need for a full-time Physics teacher to fill a long-term substitute teaching position.
Fenwick is especially seeking candidates with the qualifications or experience to teach one or more of the following courses:
- Physics
- Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Aerospace Engineering
Schedule:
Faculty are generally expected to be present in the building from 7:45 a.m. - 3:25 p.m., Mondays - Fridays, unless approved by the Principal. This anticipated part-time position is for one section.
Job Function:
- Understand curriculum expectations; prepare for all classes and instruct effectively for students
- Grade and assess all tests, quizzes and homework in a timely manner
- Provide consistent and fair assessments on a regular basis, based on the material from classroom instruction and readings. Additionally, tests are to only be given on the assigned test days
- Demonstrate professionalism as a teacher by being on time to all classes; not leaving students unattended; dress and act appropriately in accordance with the faculty/staff handbook
- Collaborate with colleagues in their instructional practice, and to seek continuous professional growth.
- Support students' success by communicating effectively with students, parents and guardians, including by keeping Schoology and other systems updated every two weeks at a minimum, corresponding via email, and attending other school events as required.
- Promptly attend all required meetings, professional development days, and school assemblies
- Perform other duties as assigned
Job Qualifications/Requirements:- Bachelor of Arts degree in a related field; Master's degree preferred
- Illinois Professional Educator's License (PEL) preferred
- Prior teaching experience is required; high school teaching experience is preferred.
- PLTW Engineering certification preferred.
- Ability to use technology in instruction and for student learning
- Familiarity with 1:1 iPad use in the classroom a plus
- Commitment to student growth
- Preferred experience or knowledge in the Catholic faith
Salary Range: Compensation is an anticipated substitute teaching is $175.00 per day.
Application: Please apply on our website at fenwickfriars.com/careers. Applications will be considered as received.-
Position Type:
See All 16 Physics Jobs in Illinois
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Find Physics JobsPhysics Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Physics Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in physics jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in physics or a closely related field required
- Experience with experimental design, data acquisition, or computational modeling in a research setting
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, C++, or ROOT for data analysis
- Familiarity with particle accelerator systems, detector hardware, or nuclear instrumentation preferred
- Ability to obtain or maintain a U.S. Department of Energy security clearance for national laboratory roles
- Strong publication record or demonstrated contribution to peer-reviewed research for senior positions
Physics Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a physicist in Illinois?
Most physics roles in Illinois require at least a Bachelor of Science in physics, though research and laboratory positions at national facilities typically expect a master's degree or PhD. Illinois has no state-issued license for physicists, so hiring is credential-driven rather than licensure-driven. Candidates targeting national laboratories such as Fermilab or Argonne should expect a rigorous technical interview process and, for certain roles, a Department of Energy security clearance review.
Which companies hire physicists in Illinois?
Companies currently hiring physicsts in Illinois include University of Illinois, Greenville University, and Harper College, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of federally funded national laboratories and major research universities makes it one of the more consistent states for physics hiring year-round.
Which Illinois cities have the most physics jobs?
Urbana, Chicago, and Greenville have the most physics openings in Illinois. Chicago anchors the market through its university medical centers, private research firms, and technology companies, while Batavia draws heavily from Fermilab's accelerator and detector programs and Champaign-Urbana reflects the University of Illinois's broad physics and applied sciences research activity.
Are there remote physics jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Most physics work in Illinois is hands-on and tied to laboratory equipment, accelerator facilities, or on-site instrumentation, which limits remote options significantly. About 33% of physics openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those roles tend to be in computational physics, data analysis, or theoretical modeling where physical presence is not required.
How can I get hired as a physicist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a research assistantship or internship during undergraduate or graduate study, particularly at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, or the University of Chicago, all of which run structured programs for early-career physicists. Both Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab offer named internship and postdoctoral programs that regularly convert to full-time roles. Candidates from adjacent fields such as electrical engineering or materials science can also transition into applied instrumentation or detector roles with relevant coursework and a strong technical portfolio.
Where can I find and apply to physics jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to physics jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and target specialization, and apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 16 Physics Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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