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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Overview

Open roles30
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring12
Work type78% Hybrid
Top industryHealthcare
Companies hiring16

Showing 5 of 30+ Research Manager jobs

Manager, Accounting Research & Policy
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New 14h ago
Manager, Accounting Research & Policy
CME Group
Chicago, Illinois
Accounting
Bookkeeping & AP/AR
Compliance & Legal
$120k - $200k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in finance
1,001-5,000

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Manager, Research Technology Services
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Added 2d ago
Manager, Research Technology Services
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
River, Illinois
Compliance & Legal
Compliance & Risk
Consulting & Professional Services
Human Resources
$100k - $165k/yr
Associate's degree in computer science
1,001-5,000

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Research and Community Engagement Manager
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Added 3d ago
Research and Community Engagement Manager
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Higher Education
Research & Academia
Teaching & Instruction
$63k - $68k/yr
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

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Clinical Research Data Manager I
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Added 3d ago
Clinical Research Data Manager I
The University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Specialists
$50k - $65k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Senior Manager, Analytics & Market Research
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Added 5d ago
Senior Manager, Analytics & Market Research
AbbVie
Mettawa, Illinois
Accounting
Compliance & Risk
Healthcare Administration
$125k - $237k/yr
Hybrid
Master's degree in business administration
10,000+

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See All 30 Research Manager Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Research Manager Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

River
4 jobs
Peoria
4 jobs
Mettawa
3 jobs
Urbana
1 job
Oak Lawn
1 job
Rosemont
1 job
Scott AFB
1 job
Park Ridge
1 job

Research Manager Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago5 open roles
AbbVie4 open roles
OSF HealthCare4 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Education

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 Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, AbbVie, and OSF HealthCare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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, River, 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 89% of research manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 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 30 Research Manager Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Research Manager Jobs