Research Jobs in Illinois
Research jobs in Illinois are concentrated in academic institutions, healthcare systems, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies, with demand for research professionals ranging from entry-level associates to senior principal investigators. Chicago anchors the market as a national hub for biomedical and social science research, while Evanston and Urbana-Champaign draw significant activity through Northwestern University, the University of Illinois, and affiliated research centers. Established employers with consistent research hiring include Abbott Laboratories, Argonne National Laboratory, and the University of Chicago. The most in-demand specialties are clinical research, data and policy analysis, and life sciences research. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 114+ Research jobs
At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
Job Description
The Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator is a registered professional nurse who demonstrates exemplary clinical research knowledge, has strong communication skills and is responsible for serving as a liaison between Northwestern University (NU) clinical research investigator teams (e.g., investigator initiated trials, sponsor trials) and Northwestern Medicine; a joint collaboration between NMG and the NU Feinberg School of Medicine.
The Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator (CRNC) works collaboratively with the inter-professional team and peers to ensure appropriate implementation and conduct of clinical research studies throughout the lifecycle of a protocol. The CRNC adheres to the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice of Professional Nursing and the Code of Ethics. The CRNC utilizes the NIH Clinical Research Nurse Domain of Practice and Model of Care. The CRNC reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
Collaborate with a wide range of professionals to disseminate patient care outcomes through publications and presentations, managing all stages of research projects—from feasibility, project conception and approval, data collection, literature review to manuscript submission. Participates in monthly meetings with surgeons and NU research team staff to track progress of projects. Clinical expertise in cardiac surgery (valve and atrial fibrillation procedures) is preferred.
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Responsibilities:
- Leads the coordination and support to Principal Investigator(s).
- Reviews research studies in pre-submission phase for feasibility of protocol implementation.
- Guides the review, revision, and maintenance of protocols. Assures established protocols meet compliance and regulatory requirements.
- Provides guidance to clinical research nurses on projects related to new research study submissions, utilization reviews, wording/phrasing of medical orders, protocols and workflows.
- Develops and maintains clinical nursing research policies, standard operating procedures, and guidelines.
- Supports the development of projects created in response to research-related problems and events as identified and reported by staff and research study team members (e.g., events, deviations, corrective and preventative actions).
- Collaborates with Clinical Coordinators, Education Coordinators, and peer CRNCs to orient and train new staff to clinical research.
- Collaborates with Clinical Coordinators, Education Coordinators, and peer CRNCs to identify training needed for clinical research nurses about unfamiliar practices, procedures and medications to ensure patient/subject safety and compliance with protocols and regulatory requirements.
- Escalates research-related concerns to the appropriate leader or committee.
- Serves as a mentor and role model for communication and collaboration with investigator teams and clinical and technical research practices.
- Supports the clinical research nursing staff during adverse events, emergencies, and difficult clinical situations.
- Provides clinical nursing support to both inpatient and/or outpatient teams as needed as a cross trained resource.
#AMCIND
#LI-MP
Qualifications
Required:
- Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois.
- Experience in clinical trials
- BSN
- Minimum of two years related clinical experience.
- CPR-BLS Certification through the American Heart Association (AHA)
Preferred:
- MSN
- Membership in Professional Nursing Organization
- ACLS Certification in clinical areas where required
- Society of Clinical Research Associates' (SOCRA) or Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) Certification
- Certification in area of clinical specialty.
Additional Information
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events.
Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information https://jobs.nm.org/benefits
Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.
If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.
At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
Job Description
The Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator is a registered professional nurse who demonstrates exemplary clinical research knowledge, has strong communication skills and is responsible for serving as a liaison between Northwestern University (NU) clinical research investigator teams (e.g., investigator initiated trials, sponsor trials) and Northwestern Medicine; a joint collaboration between NMG and the NU Feinberg School of Medicine.
The Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator (CRNC) works collaboratively with the inter-professional team and peers to ensure appropriate implementation and conduct of clinical research studies throughout the lifecycle of a protocol. The CRNC adheres to the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice of Professional Nursing and the Code of Ethics. The CRNC utilizes the NIH Clinical Research Nurse Domain of Practice and Model of Care. The CRNC reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
Collaborate with a wide range of professionals to disseminate patient care outcomes through publications and presentations, managing all stages of research projects—from feasibility, project conception and approval, data collection, literature review to manuscript submission. Participates in monthly meetings with surgeons and NU research team staff to track progress of projects. Clinical expertise in cardiac surgery (valve and atrial fibrillation procedures) is preferred.
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Responsibilities:
- Leads the coordination and support to Principal Investigator(s).
- Reviews research studies in pre-submission phase for feasibility of protocol implementation.
- Guides the review, revision, and maintenance of protocols. Assures established protocols meet compliance and regulatory requirements.
- Provides guidance to clinical research nurses on projects related to new research study submissions, utilization reviews, wording/phrasing of medical orders, protocols and workflows.
- Develops and maintains clinical nursing research policies, standard operating procedures, and guidelines.
- Supports the development of projects created in response to research-related problems and events as identified and reported by staff and research study team members (e.g., events, deviations, corrective and preventative actions).
- Collaborates with Clinical Coordinators, Education Coordinators, and peer CRNCs to orient and train new staff to clinical research.
- Collaborates with Clinical Coordinators, Education Coordinators, and peer CRNCs to identify training needed for clinical research nurses about unfamiliar practices, procedures and medications to ensure patient/subject safety and compliance with protocols and regulatory requirements.
- Escalates research-related concerns to the appropriate leader or committee.
- Serves as a mentor and role model for communication and collaboration with investigator teams and clinical and technical research practices.
- Supports the clinical research nursing staff during adverse events, emergencies, and difficult clinical situations.
- Provides clinical nursing support to both inpatient and/or outpatient teams as needed as a cross trained resource.
#AMCIND
#LI-MP
Qualifications
Required:
- Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois.
- Experience in clinical trials
- BSN
- Minimum of two years related clinical experience.
- CPR-BLS Certification through the American Heart Association (AHA)
Preferred:
- MSN
- Membership in Professional Nursing Organization
- ACLS Certification in clinical areas where required
- Society of Clinical Research Associates' (SOCRA) or Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) Certification
- Certification in area of clinical specialty.
Additional Information
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events.
Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information https://jobs.nm.org/benefits
Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.
If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.
See All 114+ Research Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research JobsResearch Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- University of Illinois23
- The University of Chicago12
- Rush University Medical Center7
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago6
- AbbVie5
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Transportation & Logistics
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in a relevant scientific, social science, or technical field
- Experience designing and executing research studies or data collection protocols
- Proficiency with statistical software such as R, SPSS, SAS, or Python
- Ability to write clear research reports, grant proposals, or peer-reviewed manuscripts
- Familiarity with IRB protocols and human subjects research compliance requirements
- Strong project management skills with experience meeting research timelines and deliverables
Research Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research professional in Illinois?
Most research positions in Illinois require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, with many roles at universities, hospitals, and national labs expecting a master's or doctoral degree. Clinical research coordinators working with human subjects typically need CITI training certification and, for regulated clinical trials, may pursue credentials through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. Illinois has no single statewide research license, but institutional credentialing and IRB compliance training are standard entry requirements.
Which companies hire research professionals in Illinois?
Illinois research roles are posted by University of Illinois, The University of Chicago, and Rush University Medical Center and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of pharmaceutical headquarters, federal national laboratories, and major research universities makes it one of the more active states for research hiring across both public and private sectors.
Which Illinois cities have the most research jobs?
Chicago, Urbana, and River lead Illinois for research job openings. Chicago dominates due to its density of academic medical centers, policy think tanks, and corporate R&D headquarters, while Evanston and Urbana-Champaign generate consistent openings through Northwestern University and the University of Illinois campus research enterprise.
Are there remote research jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 79% of research openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of research work involves data analysis, literature review, and writing that can be done independently. Roles requiring laboratory work, patient interaction, or fieldwork remain largely on-site, while policy, social science, and quantitative research positions are the most likely to offer remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a research professional in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a research assistant or research coordinator role at a university hospital or academic institution. Large Illinois employers like the University of Chicago Medical Center, Northwestern Medicine, and the University of Illinois system regularly post entry-level openings for recent graduates and hire from their own undergraduate research programs. Completing CITI human subjects training, building a writing or data sample portfolio, and moving laterally from adjacent roles such as clinical data abstractor or program coordinator are the most effective starting points.
Where can I find and apply to research jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to research jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that match your experience.
See All 114+ Research Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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