Post Doctoral Fellow Jobs in Illinois
Post Doctoral Fellow jobs in Illinois are concentrated in academic research, life sciences, and biomedical sciences, with the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois system driving the majority of openings. Chicago, Urbana-Champaign, and Evanston are the primary hiring hubs, where federally funded labs and major research medical centers sustain demand for fellows in molecular biology, computational science, and materials research. Argonne National Laboratory and the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole's Chicago-area affiliate add further depth to the market, particularly for physical and environmental sciences. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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About Empowered Minds Today
Located in downtown Naperville, Empowered Minds Today is a growing private practice serving children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. We keep a "casual yet professional" culture where clinicians feel respected, valued and safe. We use evidence-based approaches (CBT, DBT, mindfulness) and modern tools (SimplePractice, Google Workspace) so you spend your time on clinical work, not paperwork.
About the role
We are expanding our assessment services and want PsyD/PhD trainees who are ready to build strong diagnostic skills. You will test clients ages 5 and up, from children through adults. Whether you need practicum hours or post-doctoral hours toward Illinois licensure, you will get real testing cases from intake through feedback, with weekly supervision from a licensed clinical psychologist.
What you'll do
- Conduct diagnostic intakes and clinical interviews with clients ages 5 and up (children, adolescents and adults)
- Administer and score cognitive, academic, personality and diagnostic measures (e.g., WAIS/WISC, WIAT, ADOS-2, MMPI/PAI, mood and ADHD rating scales, and others)
- Evaluate for ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities and mood disorders, plus pre-surgical (bariatric) and fertility clearance evaluations
- Write integrated reports with clear, practical recommendations
- Lead feedback sessions with clients and families
- Keep testing materials and client information secure and HIPAA-compliant
What we offer
- Paid practicum and post-doc positions.
- Weekly individual supervision by a licensed clinical psychologist; post-doc hours count toward Illinois licensure
- Report templates and scoring software to speed up writing
- Flexible scheduling: Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat–Sun 10am–2pm
- Steady referral flow, so your hours stay full
- 401(k)
- Path to a licensed staff psychologist role after licensure
Qualifications
- Enrolled in an APA-accredited (or equivalent) PsyD/PhD clinical or counseling psychology program and eligible for diagnostic practicum, OR a completed doctorate and eligible for post-doctoral supervision in Illinois
- Coursework or experience with standard cognitive, academic and personality measures
- Strong clinical writing skills
- Child and adolescent testing experience, or ADOS-2 training, is a plus
- Commitment to HIPAA and ethical testing practice
How to apply
Submit your CV, a de-identified sample assessment report, and your training level and available hours. Practicum applicants: tell us your program's start date and required hours.
Empowered Minds Today is an equal opportunity employer.
Pay: $20.00 - $50.00 per hour
Expected hours: 10.0 – 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Flexible schedule
Application Question(s):
- Are you currently enrolled in a doctoral program or completed a doctorate and eligible for post-doctoral supervision in Illinois?
Work Location: In person
See All 15 Post Doctoral Fellow Jobs in Illinois
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Find Post Doctoral Fellow JobsPost Doctoral Fellow Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Post Doctoral Fellow Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in post doctoral fellow jobs across Illinois.
- PhD completed or conferred before the fellowship start date in a relevant discipline
- Demonstrated peer-reviewed publication record in the field of specialization
- Experience with grant writing or funded independent research projects
- Proficiency in discipline-specific laboratory techniques, computational tools, or data analysis methods
- Strong record of presenting research at regional or national conferences
- Ability to mentor graduate students and contribute to departmental teaching as needed
Post Doctoral Fellow Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a post doctoral fellow in Illinois?
You become a post doctoral fellow in Illinois by earning a doctoral degree and then applying directly to university departments, research institutes, or national laboratories that post fellowship openings. Illinois does not require a state license for post doctoral research roles. Strong candidates in Illinois secure positions by identifying faculty whose research aligns with their dissertation work, reaching out proactively, and submitting a tailored cover letter, CV, and writing samples before or alongside any formal application.
Which companies hire post doctoral fellows in Illinois?
Illinois post doctoral fellow roles are posted by Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Endeavor Health, and LifeStance Health and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's deep concentration of research universities, academic medical centers, and federally funded national laboratories makes it one of the more active states for post doctoral hiring in the country.
Which Illinois cities have the most post doctoral fellow jobs?
Chicago, Evanston, and River are the cities with the most post doctoral fellow openings in Illinois. Chicago leads because of its cluster of research universities and academic medical centers, while Urbana-Champaign is driven by the flagship University of Illinois campus and Evanston by Northwestern University's research programs.
Are there remote post doctoral fellow jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of post doctoral fellow openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how heavily the role depends on laboratory access, shared equipment, and direct faculty mentorship. Computational, data science, and certain social science fellowships are the sub-areas most likely to allow partial remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a post doctoral fellow in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is applying during the final year of your PhD before the degree is formally conferred, since most Illinois institutions accept candidates who are ABD. The University of Chicago, Northwestern, and the University of Illinois system all post fellowship openings that accept incoming PhDs and often run structured onboarding cohorts. Lateral entry from a research scientist or staff scientist role at an Illinois hospital or national lab is another common route, especially when paired with at least one first-author publication or a funded grant application.
Where can I find and apply to post doctoral fellow jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to post doctoral fellow jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across research universities, medical centers, and national laboratories. Search the listings, find the roles that fit your research background and career stage, and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 15 Post Doctoral Fellow Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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