Research Manager Jobs in Illinois
Research Manager jobs in Illinois are active and competitive, with demand concentrated in pharmaceutical and biotech research, market and consumer insights, healthcare systems research, and academic and policy research, covering roles from entry-level research associates stepping into management through senior and principal research managers. Chicago anchors the market, but significant hiring also occurs in Evanston and Deerfield, where established employers like Abbott Laboratories, Baxter International, and the University of Chicago maintain substantial research operations. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois listings are clinical research management, market research, and health policy research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 31+ Research Manager jobs
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Business Unit: Rush Medical Center
Hospital: Rush University Medical Center
Department: Anatomy & Cell Biology-Res Adm
Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)
Shift: Shift 1
Work Schedule: 8 Hr (9:00:00 AM - 5:00:00 AM)
Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).
Pay Range: $32.00 - $46.44 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.
Summary:
The Director of Operations will focus on the design, delivery and evaluation of system wide learning, training, and the development of uniformed system wide policies and procedures. Will provide support and work toward integrating the processes of the research, clinic, clinical trials and education sections within the RADC system. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and ICARE values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.
Required Job Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Business or Health Systems Management/Health Administration, or Bachelor’s degree.
- Five years of healthcare management experience in lieu of a Master’s degree.
- Strong analytical, decision-making and problem solving skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail essential.
- Ability to lead projects to completion.
- Demonstrated interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
- Capable of multi-tasking, remaining flexible, and managing time effectively.
- Must be able to make independent judgments; be self-motivated and use time and resources effectively.
- Ability to work effectively within a team and actively promote team building.
- Demonstrate ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people including faculty and staff.
- Excellent working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets and databases
Responsibilities:
1. Identify and implement areas for operational improvement.
2. Involved in Strategic planning along with the Center’s Director and Administrator.
3. Responsible for interfacing with the various Principal Investigators, Coordinators and Assistant Coordinators to gather information for enhancements to old systems and/or creating new systems.
4. Works with the Director of the Center to develop and implement new processes to integrate all areas of the RADC system.
5. Responsible for integrating all of the Center’s NIH studies, making certain that they are run appropriately.
6. Develops and implements new processes and procedures.
7. Oversees the updating and implementation of policies and procedures to insure the uniformity of such policies across the system.
8. Assesses, determines and coordinates staffing needs for the various areas of the RADC.
9. Participates in the decisions to employ, promote and terminate personnel.
10. Develops and implements training programs and materials for new and existing staff.
11. Oversees training of all new personnel to ensure they have the resources to be successful; supervises trainer(s).
12. Keeps current with the developments of the Data Management department.
13. Acts as the primary liaison between Data Management and the various areas at the RADC.
14. Provides continuous guidance and support to all the various areas within the Center.
15. Must be able to understand and relate to goals of the Director and work toward those goals; individually and as a member of the management team.
16. Other duties as assigned.
Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Business Unit: Rush Medical Center
Hospital: Rush University Medical Center
Department: Anatomy & Cell Biology-Res Adm
Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)
Shift: Shift 1
Work Schedule: 8 Hr (9:00:00 AM - 5:00:00 AM)
Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).
Pay Range: $32.00 - $46.44 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.
Summary:
The Director of Operations will focus on the design, delivery and evaluation of system wide learning, training, and the development of uniformed system wide policies and procedures. Will provide support and work toward integrating the processes of the research, clinic, clinical trials and education sections within the RADC system. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and ICARE values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.
Required Job Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Business or Health Systems Management/Health Administration, or Bachelor’s degree.
- Five years of healthcare management experience in lieu of a Master’s degree.
- Strong analytical, decision-making and problem solving skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail essential.
- Ability to lead projects to completion.
- Demonstrated interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
- Capable of multi-tasking, remaining flexible, and managing time effectively.
- Must be able to make independent judgments; be self-motivated and use time and resources effectively.
- Ability to work effectively within a team and actively promote team building.
- Demonstrate ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people including faculty and staff.
- Excellent working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets and databases
Responsibilities:
1. Identify and implement areas for operational improvement.
2. Involved in Strategic planning along with the Center’s Director and Administrator.
3. Responsible for interfacing with the various Principal Investigators, Coordinators and Assistant Coordinators to gather information for enhancements to old systems and/or creating new systems.
4. Works with the Director of the Center to develop and implement new processes to integrate all areas of the RADC system.
5. Responsible for integrating all of the Center’s NIH studies, making certain that they are run appropriately.
6. Develops and implements new processes and procedures.
7. Oversees the updating and implementation of policies and procedures to insure the uniformity of such policies across the system.
8. Assesses, determines and coordinates staffing needs for the various areas of the RADC.
9. Participates in the decisions to employ, promote and terminate personnel.
10. Develops and implements training programs and materials for new and existing staff.
11. Oversees training of all new personnel to ensure they have the resources to be successful; supervises trainer(s).
12. Keeps current with the developments of the Data Management department.
13. Acts as the primary liaison between Data Management and the various areas at the RADC.
14. Provides continuous guidance and support to all the various areas within the Center.
15. Must be able to understand and relate to goals of the Director and work toward those goals; individually and as a member of the management team.
16. Other duties as assigned.
Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
See All 31 Research Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Manager JobsResearch Manager Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Manager Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Investment & Asset Management
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research manager jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant research discipline such as social sciences, public health, or business
- Minimum three to five years of progressive research experience with at least one year in a supervisory or lead role
- Demonstrated ability to design, execute, and report on quantitative and qualitative research projects
- Proficiency with research and statistical software such as SPSS, SAS, R, or Qualtrics
- Strong project management skills including budgeting, timeline oversight, and cross-functional team coordination
- Experience presenting research findings and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and stakeholders
Research Manager Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research manager in Illinois?
Research manager roles in Illinois do not require a state-issued license, but employers consistently expect a bachelor's degree at minimum, with a master's degree preferred in fields such as public health, social sciences, business, or a discipline tied to the employer's research focus. Most candidates progress by building several years of hands-on research experience, then demonstrating leadership on projects. In Illinois, credentials like the Professional Researcher Certification from the Insights Association strengthen a candidacy, particularly in market and consumer research roles.
How much do research managers make in Illinois?
Research managers in Illinois earn a median of about $159,670 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $85,210 for the lowest 10% to over $281,660 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire research managers in Illinois?
Employers hiring research managers in Illinois right now include AbbVie, University of Chicago, and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of pharmaceutical headquarters, major hospital systems, and policy-focused nonprofits around Chicago means hiring is spread across private industry, academic medical centers, and mission-driven organizations.
Which Illinois cities have the most research manager jobs?
Chicago, Mettawa, and Peoria account for the most research manager openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because it is home to the headquarters of major pharmaceutical, financial, and consumer goods companies alongside large academic medical centers, while Evanston and Deerfield draw openings from Northwestern University's research enterprise and the North Shore pharmaceutical corridor anchored by companies like Baxter International and AbbVie.
Are there remote research manager jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields, because research management is largely analytical and coordination-focused rather than hands-on or site-dependent. About 79% of research manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of the work. Market research and policy research roles tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while clinical research management positions usually require at least partial on-site presence at trial sites or lab facilities.
How can I get hired as a research manager in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a research coordinator or research analyst role first, then moving into management after demonstrating project leadership. Large Illinois employers like the University of Chicago Medicine, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago regularly hire research associates and coordinators as structured entry points. Earning the Professional Researcher Certification or completing a graduate certificate in research methods from an Illinois university strengthens early-career applications. Lateral moves from roles such as data analyst, program coordinator, or survey specialist are common stepping stones in this market.
Where can I find and apply to research manager jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to research manager jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across industries including pharmaceutical, healthcare, market research, and policy. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 31 Research Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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