Research Associate Jobs in Illinois
Research Associate jobs in Illinois are consistently active, concentrated in academic research, pharmaceutical and biotechnology development, clinical trials, and public health, with openings at every level from entry-level lab assistant to senior investigator. Chicago anchors the market, with additional demand in Evanston and Urbana-Champaign, and major employers such as Abbott Laboratories, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago maintain ongoing research associate hiring. The most in-demand specialties include clinical research coordination, life sciences data analysis, and translational research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Research Associate JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 26+ Research Associate jobs
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
bout Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.
Our diagnostic solutions are used in hospitals, laboratories, and clinics around the globe. The crucial information derived from our tests, instruments and informatics systems are often the first step in patient care decision making for hundreds of health conditions from heart attacks to blood disorders to infectious diseases and cancers.
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
- Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
- An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
- Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
- A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
The Opportunity
- This is not a remote opportunity
- Traveling up to 5%
What You’ll Work On
Responsible for the following.
- Experimental procedures
- Conducts experiments, accomplishes established milestones and summarizes data.
- Recommend options for other experiments.
- Presents data to the team.
- Troubleshoots instrumentation or experiments, recognizes and assists with technical problems.
- Participates in planning project tasks, providing input to accomplish assigned tasks.
- Participates in routine maintenance and lab safety.
- Appropriately documents experimental procedures and results according to established guidelines.
- Responsible for implementing and maintaining the effectiveness of the quality system.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferably in Life or Physical science.
- 1 -2 years of related work experience.
- Knowledge of analytical instruments.
Preferred Qualifications
- Masters Degree
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.
The base pay for this position is $55,300.00 – $110,700.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
bout Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.
Our diagnostic solutions are used in hospitals, laboratories, and clinics around the globe. The crucial information derived from our tests, instruments and informatics systems are often the first step in patient care decision making for hundreds of health conditions from heart attacks to blood disorders to infectious diseases and cancers.
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
- Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
- An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
- Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
- A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
The Opportunity
- This is not a remote opportunity
- Traveling up to 5%
What You’ll Work On
Responsible for the following.
- Experimental procedures
- Conducts experiments, accomplishes established milestones and summarizes data.
- Recommend options for other experiments.
- Presents data to the team.
- Troubleshoots instrumentation or experiments, recognizes and assists with technical problems.
- Participates in planning project tasks, providing input to accomplish assigned tasks.
- Participates in routine maintenance and lab safety.
- Appropriately documents experimental procedures and results according to established guidelines.
- Responsible for implementing and maintaining the effectiveness of the quality system.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferably in Life or Physical science.
- 1 -2 years of related work experience.
- Knowledge of analytical instruments.
Preferred Qualifications
- Masters Degree
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.
The base pay for this position is $55,300.00 – $110,700.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
See All 26 Research Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Associate JobsResearch Associate Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Associate Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Investment & Asset Management
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research associate jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, public health, or a related scientific field required
- Experience with IRB protocols, clinical trial documentation, or research compliance standards preferred
- Proficiency in statistical analysis software such as SAS, R, or SPSS commonly expected
- Strong written communication skills for preparing manuscripts, grant applications, and study reports
- Ability to collect, manage, and interpret large datasets with accuracy and attention to detail
- Familiarity with GCP guidelines and federal research regulations for clinical or biomedical positions
Research Associate Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research associate in Illinois?
Most research associate positions in Illinois require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific or technical field, with many academic medical centers and pharmaceutical employers preferring a master's degree. Illinois does not issue a state license specific to research associates, but clinical research roles often require or strongly prefer certification through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. Employers at institutions like the University of Illinois or Rush University Medical Center typically look for candidates with demonstrated lab or data analysis experience gained through coursework, internships, or undergraduate research programs.
Which companies hire research associates in Illinois?
Employers hiring research associates in Illinois right now include AbbVie, University of Illinois, and Fidelity Investments, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's concentration of pharmaceutical companies, academic medical centers, and federally funded research universities makes it one of the more active states for sustained research associate hiring throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most research associate jobs?
Chicago, Mettawa, and Aurora have the most research associate openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates due to its dense cluster of academic medical centers, biotechnology firms, and public health agencies, while Evanston and Urbana-Champaign draw significant hiring from Northwestern University and the University of Illinois system, which both run extensive research programs across the sciences and social policy.
Are there remote research associate jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they represent a smaller share of the market, since many research associate roles involve hands-on lab work, patient interaction, or on-site data collection that cannot be done remotely. About 53% of research associate openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with the remote options concentrated in literature review, data analysis, grant writing, and research coordination roles that do not require physical access to a laboratory or clinical setting.
How can I get hired as a research associate in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to research assistant or junior research coordinator roles at Illinois universities and academic medical centers, which regularly hire candidates straight out of undergraduate programs. Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois system all post entry-level research positions that provide structured mentorship alongside senior investigators. Completing an undergraduate thesis, volunteering in a faculty lab, or earning a certification from the Association of Clinical Research Professionals strengthens an application significantly and distinguishes candidates without professional experience from the broader applicant pool.
Where can I find and apply to research associate jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to research associate jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across industries including life sciences, academic research, public health, and clinical trials. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 26 Research Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Associate Jobs