Laboratory Research Assistant Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Laboratory research assistant visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois are concentrated at major research universities and medical centers, including the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Chicago metro area and Champaign-Urbana drive most hiring, with strong demand across biomedical, chemical, and agricultural science research programs.
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Pay rate: $17 - $22 an hour, depending on skills and qualifications
Position Summary
The laboratory of Dr. FabioRe in the Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Research Assistant. The focus of the lab is innate immunity and host-pathogen interaction. We use mouse model of bacterial infection to investigate mechanisms of activation of the inflammasome, complement, and B1 cells.
Interested applicants should submit: (1) Statement of interest describing relevant skills and how this position will contribute to career goals; (2) CV; and (3) contact information for three references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Our generous benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision plans; paid parental leave; short term and long term disability plans; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; and a 403(b) retirement plan which includes a 8% employer contribution after 2 years of service. RFUMS is committed to employee wellbeing and work-life balance. Full time staff are eligible for 3 weeks of vacation/personal leave, 15 sick days, and 9 paid holidays, paid winter break, plus two floating holidays.
Who We Are
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, a national leader in interprofessional medical and healthcare education, is a graduate-level health sciences university situated on an attractive 85-acre campus in North Chicago, Illinois, approximately 40 miles north of the city of Chicago and 50 miles south of Milwaukee. The University encourages applications from individuals belonging to groups underrepresented in their field and those that can add new and valuable perspectives to the academic environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status or status as an individual with disability.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Laboratory Operations
- Maintain laboratory inventory and order supplies.
- Ensure lab cleanliness, adherence to safety standards, and proper waste disposal.
Experimental Support
- Prepare media, reagents, and buffers.
- Maintain mammalian cell cultures under sterile conditions.
- Perform immunological and molecular assays including flow cytometry, ELISA, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, and Western blotting.
- Maintain accurate experimental records and results.
- Assist in data analysis and visualization for publication.
- Contribute to a collaborative and conducive research environment.
Colony Maintenance
- Assist with mouse colony management, breeding, genotyping, and databasing.
- Perform routine mouse procedures following approved animal protocols.
- Collect and process tissues and samples for downstream analyses.
Conditions of Employment
- Must achieve satisfactory results from a background check.
Required Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related field.
- Demonstrated research experience in a laboratory environment.
Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Competency in standard laboratory techniques such as PCR, DNA/RNA prep, mammalian cell culture, media and buffer preparation.
- Willingness to work with laboratory mice.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
- Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in mouse work (husbandry, injection, dissection).
- Experience with flow cytometry and immunofluorescence techniques is highly desirable.
Typical Physical Demands & Working Conditions
- Selected candidate must have the mental and physical capabilities to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
EOE, Including Disability / Vets
Laboratory Research Assistant Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Laboratory Research Assistant Jobs in IllinoisLaboratory Research Assistant Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies and institutions sponsor visas for laboratory research assistants in Illinois?
The largest sponsors of laboratory research assistant positions in Illinois are research universities and academic medical centers, including the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Rush University Medical Center. Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory also sponsor research staff. These institutions regularly file petitions for H-1B visa and J-1 visas to support their research operations.
Which visa types realistically apply to laboratory research assistant roles in Illinois?
H-1B is the most common pathway when the role requires a bachelor's degree in a directly related scientific field such as biology, chemistry, or biochemistry. J-1 is widely used at Illinois universities through designated exchange visitor programs for research scholars and interns. Canadian and Mexican citizens may qualify for TN visa status under the USMCA Research Assistant category, but only when the position is at a post-secondary educational institution. F-1 OPT and STEM OPT can also cover research assistant roles tied to a STEM-designated degree.
How to find laboratory research assistant visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find laboratory research assistant visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois, since it lists employers with verified sponsorship history filtered to this role and state. Because most sponsoring employers in Illinois are universities, medical centers, and national laboratories, searching Migrate Mate for research-focused institutions in Chicago, Champaign-Urbana, and Evanston will surface the most relevant active openings.
Which Illinois cities have the most laboratory research assistant sponsorship jobs?
Chicago is the largest market, anchored by the University of Chicago, Northwestern's medical campus, UIC, and Rush University Medical Center. Evanston adds Northwestern's main campus. Champaign-Urbana is the second major hub, driven by the University of Illinois at its flagship campus, particularly in life sciences, agricultural research, and chemistry. Aurora and Lemont have additional activity tied to Argonne National Laboratory, which is a significant employer of research staff in the western suburbs.
What state-specific factors should laboratory research assistants know about Illinois sponsorship?
Illinois benefits from one of the densest concentrations of research universities and federally funded national laboratories in the country, which makes it an active state for research assistant sponsorship. Many Illinois institutions are cap-exempt for H-1B purposes because they qualify as institutions of higher education, meaning sponsored researchers are not subject to the annual H-1B lottery. J-1 sponsorship is also common through university-designated exchange visitor programs, though the two-year home residency requirement under section 212(e) may apply to some participants.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored laboratory research 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.