Research Assistant Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Illinois is one of the strongest states for research assistant visa sponsorship, anchored by world-class institutions like the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Argonne National Laboratory. Chicago leads in sponsored positions, with additional opportunities in Evanston and Champaign-Urbana across life sciences, social sciences, and engineering research.
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Get Access To All JobsResearch Assistant Professor in Cancer Engineering
Department of Bioengineering
The Grainger College of Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Department of Bioengineering in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for a full-time Research Assistant Professor in cancer engineering. The successful candidate will join a research group that is focused on using engineering methods to make cancer models and measuring them using novel forms of imaging. Projects in the group include those supported by The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), National Science Foundation (NSF), and National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The successful candidate will carry out responsibilities related to research and public service. As part of the larger research group, they will carry out research and educational administration to support the entire team. They will be expected to also establish and maintain an active and independent research program. Research track faculty in the Department of Bioengineering are expected to provide professional leadership within the department, other campus units, and the professional community.
There is a strong track record of support for this research group from NSF, NIH and ARPA-H at Illinois, and we are seeking applications from individuals who are eager to engage with this collaborative community. Significant funding has resulted in a demand for dedicated scientific leadership, and the individual in this role will provide leadership, project management, supervision of personnel, and sustained growth of the research enterprise which provide outstanding opportunities related to this research. This role is critical to the successful execution and long-term sustainability of funded research activities.
This position joins a department that is experiencing a period of programmatic growth, including significant increases in course offerings and student numbers in both graduate and undergraduate programs. With the completion of new facilities and strong partnerships with Carle Illinois College of Medicine and the Cancer Center at Illinois, there are numerous opportunities to impact valuable research.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
A doctoral degree in Bioengineering, Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering or a related field is required at the start date.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $80,000 to $95,000, for a 9-month service basis paid over 12 months. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position is eligible for work authorization sponsorship.
Full consideration will be given to applications received by November 3, 2026. Applications may be reviewed as they are received. Those submitted after the stated deadline may still be considered until the position is filled. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. A start date is expected as soon as possible after the close date; however, this is negotiable.
To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu. The application package should include the following materials uploaded as a single PDF file in the “Resume/CV” section: 1) cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) research statement, 4) service statement, and 5) names and contact information for three professional references (no letters required at this time). The research and service statements offer a chance to share your motivation, approach, experience, leadership, impact, and vision in each area, including how you would support the university’s land-grant mission, through campus, community, or professional engagement. For further information regarding application procedures, please address questions to Kathy Atwood at kbuss@illinois.edu.
Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.
LOCATION
Champaign-Urbana
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.
The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.
Research Assistant Professor in Cancer Engineering
Department of Bioengineering
The Grainger College of Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Department of Bioengineering in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for a full-time Research Assistant Professor in cancer engineering. The successful candidate will join a research group that is focused on using engineering methods to make cancer models and measuring them using novel forms of imaging. Projects in the group include those supported by The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), National Science Foundation (NSF), and National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The successful candidate will carry out responsibilities related to research and public service. As part of the larger research group, they will carry out research and educational administration to support the entire team. They will be expected to also establish and maintain an active and independent research program. Research track faculty in the Department of Bioengineering are expected to provide professional leadership within the department, other campus units, and the professional community.
There is a strong track record of support for this research group from NSF, NIH and ARPA-H at Illinois, and we are seeking applications from individuals who are eager to engage with this collaborative community. Significant funding has resulted in a demand for dedicated scientific leadership, and the individual in this role will provide leadership, project management, supervision of personnel, and sustained growth of the research enterprise which provide outstanding opportunities related to this research. This role is critical to the successful execution and long-term sustainability of funded research activities.
This position joins a department that is experiencing a period of programmatic growth, including significant increases in course offerings and student numbers in both graduate and undergraduate programs. With the completion of new facilities and strong partnerships with Carle Illinois College of Medicine and the Cancer Center at Illinois, there are numerous opportunities to impact valuable research.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
A doctoral degree in Bioengineering, Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering or a related field is required at the start date.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $80,000 to $95,000, for a 9-month service basis paid over 12 months. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position is eligible for work authorization sponsorship.
Full consideration will be given to applications received by November 3, 2026. Applications may be reviewed as they are received. Those submitted after the stated deadline may still be considered until the position is filled. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. A start date is expected as soon as possible after the close date; however, this is negotiable.
To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu. The application package should include the following materials uploaded as a single PDF file in the “Resume/CV” section: 1) cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) research statement, 4) service statement, and 5) names and contact information for three professional references (no letters required at this time). The research and service statements offer a chance to share your motivation, approach, experience, leadership, impact, and vision in each area, including how you would support the university’s land-grant mission, through campus, community, or professional engagement. For further information regarding application procedures, please address questions to Kathy Atwood at kbuss@illinois.edu.
Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.
LOCATION
Champaign-Urbana
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.
The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.
Research Assistant Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Research Assistant Jobs in IllinoisResearch Assistant Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies and institutions sponsor visas for research assistants in Illinois?
Universities are the dominant sponsors for research assistant roles in Illinois. The University of Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and University of Illinois Chicago have consistent track records of sponsoring international researchers. Beyond academia, Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory regularly sponsor research staff. Some pharmaceutical and biotech firms in the Chicago metro area also sponsor for research-focused roles.
Which visa types are most common for research assistant roles in Illinois?
H-1B visa is the most common visa for research assistant positions that require a relevant bachelor's or advanced degree and qualify as specialty occupations. J-1 visa exchange visitor visas are widely used at Illinois universities for short-term or postdoctoral research arrangements. OPT and STEM OPT allow international students already in Illinois to work as research assistants without employer sponsorship during their authorized period.
How to find research assistant visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international job seekers and filters research assistant roles in Illinois by visa sponsorship status, saving you from manually screening hundreds of postings. University career portals at institutions like UChicago and Northwestern list lab and research positions directly, but Migrate Mate aggregates sponsored openings across employers in one place, which is especially useful when you're targeting Illinois specifically.
Which cities in Illinois have the most research assistant sponsorship jobs?
Chicago has the highest concentration of sponsored research assistant positions, driven by UChicago, UIC, Rush University Medical Center, and private research organizations. Evanston is significant due to Northwestern University's research output. Champaign-Urbana is a major hub through the University of Illinois system, particularly for engineering, computer science, and agricultural research. Smaller clusters exist near Argonne and Fermilab in the western suburbs.
Are there any Illinois-specific considerations for research assistant visa sponsorship?
Illinois research assistants sponsored on H-1B visas must be paid at or above the prevailing wage for their role and location as determined by Department of Labor standards. University-employed research assistants often fall under cap-exempt H-1B rules, meaning positions at qualifying institutions are not subject to the annual lottery. This cap-exempt status is a meaningful distinction for international candidates weighing Illinois academic employers against private-sector options.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored 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.