Professor Jobs in Illinois
Professor jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, Champaign-Urbana, and Evanston, where the University of Illinois system, Northwestern University, and Loyola University Chicago anchor sustained hiring across disciplines. Demand is strongest in STEM fields, business, and health sciences, with openings at every level from visiting instructor to tenured full professor. Illinois hosts one of the most active higher education markets in the Midwest, drawing candidates for both research-intensive and teaching-focused positions. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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See All 102+ Professor Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Professor JobsProfessor Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Professor Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- University of Illinois27

- Northern Illinois University9

- SIUE7

- Eureka College6

- City Colleges of Chicago4

Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in professor jobs across Illinois.
- Terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in the relevant academic discipline required
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed scholarship, grants, or creative work in the field
- Prior teaching experience at the undergraduate or graduate level strongly preferred
- Ability to develop and deliver curriculum aligned with department or program requirements
- Experience supervising graduate students, dissertations, or undergraduate research projects
- Commitment to faculty service including committee work and institutional governance participation
Professor Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a professor in Illinois?
Most Illinois colleges and universities require a terminal degree, typically a Ph.D. or M.F.A., in the discipline you plan to teach. Illinois does not issue a state license specifically for college professors, so hiring decisions rest with individual institutions. Community colleges governed by the Illinois Community College Board may require additional teaching credentials or state-aligned coursework, but the core path is completing your terminal degree and building a teaching and research portfolio before applying.
Which companies hire professors in Illinois?
Employers hiring professors in Illinois right now include University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University, and SIUE, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of research universities, liberal arts colleges, and community college districts means hiring is distributed statewide, with the largest volume coming from institutions in and around the Chicago metro and Champaign-Urbana.
Which Illinois cities have the most professor jobs?
The cities with the most professor openings in Illinois are Chicago, Urbana, and DeKalb. Chicago dominates because of the sheer number of universities, medical schools, and professional programs headquartered there, while Champaign-Urbana reflects the large footprint of the University of Illinois flagship campus, and suburban or mid-size cities often appear when regional universities or community college campuses in those areas are actively hiring.
Are there remote professor jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they are less common than in most knowledge-work fields, since most professor roles involve in-person instruction, lab supervision, or student advising. About 33% of professor openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to be in online program development, continuing education, or fully asynchronous degree programs rather than traditional tenure-track or full-time teaching roles.
How can I get hired as a professor in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an adjunct or visiting instructor appointment while you complete or have recently finished your terminal degree. Large Illinois community college districts, including City Colleges of Chicago and College of DuPage, regularly hire part-time adjuncts and offer pathways to full-time lecturer roles. Postdoctoral fellowships at University of Illinois or Northwestern can also bridge into assistant professor positions, and building a teaching portfolio through graduate teaching assistantships or departmental visiting roles strengthens your candidacy significantly.
Where can I find and apply to professor jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to professor jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to Illinois institutions and programs. Search the listings, find roles that match your discipline and experience level, and apply directly to each position.
See All 102+ Professor Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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