Academic Assistant Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Academic assistant visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois are concentrated at the state's major research universities, including the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago. Chicago, Evanston, and Champaign-Urbana are the primary hiring hubs, with roles spanning undergraduate instruction support, lab coordination, and departmental administration across a wide range of disciplines.
Find Academic Assistant JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 94+ Academic Assistant Jobs in Illinois with Visa Sponsorship
See all 94+ Academic Assistant Jobs in Illinois with Visa Sponsorship
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Academic Assistant Jobs in Illinois with Visa Sponsorship.
Get Access To All JobsDepartment
PME Education & Academic Programs
About the Department
The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME; https://pme.uchicago.edu/) was established in May 2019 and evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, which was founded in 2011. The PME integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME’s rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the University of Chicago’s unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering. In the next phase of growth as a School, the PME will continue to expand its team of world-class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting-edge facilities. The PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront, while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.
Job Information
Job Summary:
Sr. Assistant Director of Academic Programs for Chicago, IL location. Leads strategic initiatives at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering to improve academic program delivery, including the development of new initiatives, structures, policy frameworks, and long-term planning tools to support academic excellence and institutional growth. Provides data analysis, updates, and regular reports on admission, enrollment, student academic progress, outcomes, ROI and career trajectory of alumni. Serves as a project lead on assigned cross-functional efforts involving course innovation, academic technology integration, hybrid/online program implementation, and assessment planning. Leads planning and implementation of key events and meetings, such as recruitment events, open houses, new student orientation, and admitted student weekends. Leads the design and execution of yield and retention strategies for graduate students, including admitted student engagement plans, communications strategy, and event programming. Primary program administrator for the graduate and undergraduate programs, focused on developing positive and active working relationships with internal and external constituents at varying levels of leadership. Mentors junior staff within the Academic Programs unit, supporting onboarding, professional development, performance management. Coordinates basic academic advising to undergraduate and graduate students.
Additional Responsibilities
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Higher Education Administration, Physical Sciences, Engineering, or other related field plus 2 years of experience with academic programs required.
Required Skills:
- 2 years with: higher education student affairs administration
- Experience must include: international graduate admissions and recruitment; academic advising; international student services; managing and analyzing large data sets; academic information systems; identifying administrative needs and proposing solutions; developing metrics to assess ROI; liaising with campus stakeholders and partners; team supervision.
Background check including review of criminal convictions required. Some telecommuting permitted. $75,000/yr - $83,000/yr + Benefits: https://mybenefits.nfp.com/UChicago/benefits-guide/
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Benefit Eligibility
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.
Pay Rate Type
Salary
Pay Range
$0.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Union
Non-Union
Job is Exempt
Yes
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Posting Date
2026-11-05
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
Department
PME Education & Academic Programs
About the Department
The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME; https://pme.uchicago.edu/) was established in May 2019 and evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, which was founded in 2011. The PME integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME’s rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the University of Chicago’s unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering. In the next phase of growth as a School, the PME will continue to expand its team of world-class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting-edge facilities. The PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront, while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.
Job Information
Job Summary:
Sr. Assistant Director of Academic Programs for Chicago, IL location. Leads strategic initiatives at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering to improve academic program delivery, including the development of new initiatives, structures, policy frameworks, and long-term planning tools to support academic excellence and institutional growth. Provides data analysis, updates, and regular reports on admission, enrollment, student academic progress, outcomes, ROI and career trajectory of alumni. Serves as a project lead on assigned cross-functional efforts involving course innovation, academic technology integration, hybrid/online program implementation, and assessment planning. Leads planning and implementation of key events and meetings, such as recruitment events, open houses, new student orientation, and admitted student weekends. Leads the design and execution of yield and retention strategies for graduate students, including admitted student engagement plans, communications strategy, and event programming. Primary program administrator for the graduate and undergraduate programs, focused on developing positive and active working relationships with internal and external constituents at varying levels of leadership. Mentors junior staff within the Academic Programs unit, supporting onboarding, professional development, performance management. Coordinates basic academic advising to undergraduate and graduate students.
Additional Responsibilities
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Higher Education Administration, Physical Sciences, Engineering, or other related field plus 2 years of experience with academic programs required.
Required Skills:
- 2 years with: higher education student affairs administration
- Experience must include: international graduate admissions and recruitment; academic advising; international student services; managing and analyzing large data sets; academic information systems; identifying administrative needs and proposing solutions; developing metrics to assess ROI; liaising with campus stakeholders and partners; team supervision.
Background check including review of criminal convictions required. Some telecommuting permitted. $75,000/yr - $83,000/yr + Benefits: https://mybenefits.nfp.com/UChicago/benefits-guide/
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Benefit Eligibility
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.
Pay Rate Type
Salary
Pay Range
$0.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Union
Non-Union
Job is Exempt
Yes
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Posting Date
2026-11-05
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
Academic Assistant Job Roles in Illinois
See all 94+ Academic Assistant Jobs in Illinois
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Academic Assistant Jobs in IllinoisAcademic Assistant Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for academic assistants in Illinois?
The primary sponsors for academic assistant roles in Illinois are large research universities and medical schools. The University of Illinois system, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, and DePaul University have all filed employer-sponsored petitions for education support roles. Community colleges in the Chicago metro area also hire academic assistants, though sponsorship activity is more concentrated at four-year research institutions.
Which visa types realistically fit academic assistant roles in Illinois?
H-1B visa is an option if the academic assistant role requires a bachelor's degree in a directly related field and the employer treats it as a specialty occupation. J-1 visa is well-suited for exchange visitors through a designated sponsor organization, covering intern and research assistant categories. F-1 students may work under OPT if the role relates to their field of study. EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based green cards are available for longer-term positions through PERM labor certification.
How to find academic assistant visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate lists academic assistant positions at Illinois employers with verified sponsorship history, letting you search by role and location across Chicago, Evanston, Champaign-Urbana, and other hiring hubs in the state. Because academic assistant sponsorship is concentrated at research universities rather than spread across many employer types, using a platform focused on verified sponsors helps you identify which institutions are actively filing rather than sorting through employers who rarely sponsor these roles.
Which cities in Illinois have the most academic assistant sponsorship jobs?
Chicago is the largest market, driven by Northwestern University's downtown and Evanston campuses, Loyola University Chicago, DePaul University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Champaign-Urbana is a significant hub due to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, one of the largest public research universities in the country. Evanston stands out as a smaller city with high sponsorship density relative to its size because of Northwestern's research output and graduate programs.
Are there state-specific factors that affect academic assistant sponsorship in Illinois?
Illinois benefits from a dense concentration of R1 research universities, which are the institution type most likely to sponsor academic assistants through H-1B or J-1 pathways. The University of Illinois system's size and federal research funding make it one of the more active sponsors in this category statewide. Roles tied to funded research grants at these institutions tend to have more defined sponsorship processes than general instructional support positions at smaller colleges.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored academic assistant jobs in Illinois?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.