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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Overview

Open roles16
Top employerUniversity of Illinois
Top cityUrbana, IL
Cities hiring12
Work type67% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 16+ Physics jobs

Science (Physics) Substitute Teacher - Anticipated
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Added 5d ago
Science (Physics) Substitute Teacher - Anticipated
BISHOP FENWICK HIGH SCHOOL
Oak Park, Illinois
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
High school
11-50

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Debnath Lab Research Assistant I – Computational Medical Physics and Monte Carlo Modeling
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Added 6d ago
Debnath Lab Research Assistant I – Computational Medical Physics and Monte Carlo Modeling
Loyola University Chicago
Maywood, Illinois
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$18 - $22/hr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
1,001-5,000

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Physics Instructor
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Added 6d ago
Physics Instructor
Northwest Suburban College
Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Corporate Training
Higher Education
Teaching & Instruction
$800 - $1,000/yr
On-Site
Master's degree in physics

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Postdoctoral Appointee - Accelerator Physics and Free-Electron Laser Science
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Added 1w ago
Postdoctoral Appointee - Accelerator Physics and Free-Electron Laser Science
Argonne National Laboratory
Lemont, Illinois
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
Research & Academia
$35.04 - $58.4/hr
Doctoral degree in physics
1-1

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Physics Adjunct Faculty - Spring 2027
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Added 1w ago
Physics Adjunct Faculty - Spring 2027
Elgin Community College
Elgin, Illinois
Higher Education
Research & Academia
Teaching & Instruction
$1,140 - $1,171/yr
Master's degree in physics
1,001-5,000

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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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Physics Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Urbana
3 jobs
Chicago
2 jobs
Greenville
2 jobs
Elgin
1 job
Joliet
1 job
Lemont
1 job
Maywood
1 job
Glenwood
1 job
Oak Park
1 job

Physics Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

University of Illinois4 open roles
Greenville University2 open roles
Harper College1 open role

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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