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Assistant Professor Jobs in Champaign, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Assistant Professor information

See Champaign, IL salary details

$42.6K

$80.2K

$135.2K

How much do assistant professor jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant professor in Champaign, IL is $80,174.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,100.00 and $91,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does an Assistant Professor Do?

An assistant professor is an entry-level university teaching position below that of associate professor and full professor. You can find work as an assistant professor in any department at a college or university. Assistant professorships fall into either tenure-track and non-tenure track positions. Regardless of whether you are tenure or non-tenure track, your duties are similar. You conduct research, teach classes, advise students on their studies, and perform numerous administrative functions, such as attending faculty meetings and professional conferences or events.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Assistant Professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Professor, you typically need a doctoral degree in your field, a strong publication record, and experience in teaching or research. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), academic databases, and research tools is often required, along with any relevant certifications for teaching or research ethics. Excellent communication, mentorship, and organizational skills help you engage students, collaborate with colleagues, and manage academic responsibilities. These skills are crucial for fostering student success, advancing research, and contributing meaningfully to the academic community.

What are some common challenges Assistant Professors face during their early years, and how can they address them?

Assistant Professors often juggle multiple responsibilities, including teaching, research, and service commitments. Balancing the demands of developing a strong research portfolio with effective teaching and departmental service can be challenging, especially when working toward tenure. Building a supportive network of mentors, setting clear priorities, and managing time efficiently are critical strategies for success. Many institutions also offer professional development programs and peer collaboration opportunities to help early-career faculty navigate these challenges.

What is an Assistant Professor?

An Assistant Professor is an entry-level faculty position at a college or university, typically responsible for teaching, conducting research, and participating in academic service. This role is usually tenure-track, meaning the professor may eventually qualify for tenure after a probationary period. Assistant Professors often mentor students, publish scholarly work, and contribute to their department's academic community. Their work helps advance both the institution's educational mission and their own academic careers.

What is the difference between Assistant Professor vs Lecturer?

AspectAssistant ProfessorLecturer
Required CredentialsDoctorate or equivalent in fieldBachelor's or Master's, sometimes doctorate
Work EnvironmentAcademic institutions, research, teachingPrimarily teaching, less research
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, collegesUniversities, colleges, vocational schools
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Assistant Professors typically hold a doctorate and engage in both teaching and research at universities. Lecturers usually focus on teaching, often with less emphasis on research, and may have different credential requirements. While both roles are found in academic settings, Assistant Professors often have more responsibilities related to research and academic advancement.

What are the most commonly searched types of Professor jobs in Champaign, IL? The most popular types of Professor jobs in Champaign, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Assistant Professor jobs in Champaign, IL? For Assistant Professor jobs in Champaign, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Assistant Professor jobs in Champaign, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Assistant Professor jobs in Champaign, IL are:
What cities near Champaign, IL are hiring for Assistant Professor jobs? Cities near Champaign, IL with the most Assistant Professor job openings:
Infographic showing various Assistant Professor job openings in Champaign, IL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $80,174 per year, or $38.5 per hour.
Grainger Engineering: Teaching Assistant Professor or Teaching Associate Professor - NPRE

Grainger Engineering: Teaching Assistant Professor or Teaching Associate Professor - NPRE

University of Illinois

Urbana, IL โ€ข On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Teaching Assistant Professor or Teaching Associate Professor
Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering
The Grainger College of Engineering
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for a full-time teaching track faculty position at the assistant or associate professor rank. This is a 100% non-tenure track, renewable appointment.
This position is expected to teach introductory as well as advanced courses that support our Plasma and Energy Curricula on energy sources, energy systems, fusion and plasma engineering, advanced plasma for semiconductor processing, as well as plasma lab courses. Candidates must be able to teach effectively in these and other areas at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Many teaching faculty also engage in outreach and service activities. This position also has the opportunity to engage in research focused on experimental extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, with particular emphasis on tin management and other areas. The successful candidate will be encouraged and supported in pursuing external funding in engineering education, energy systems, plasma engineering, or sustainability.
Teaching activities are well supported by the department, college, and university. Candidates will have opportunities to interact with a large community of education researchers, supported by the Academy for Excellence in Engineering Education (AE3), Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL), and other campus units. The University of Illinois, a prominent R1 institution, is home to numerous research centers on energy, water, and sustainability.
NPRE ILLINOIS is renowned for its expertise on issues surrounding the production, transport, and interactions of radiation with matter and the application of all nuclear processes. This includes leadership in traditional areas of nuclear fission for production of electric power and guiding the development of advanced nuclear systems for more efficient production of energy resources. We also emphasize nuclear fusion for near-term scientific applications and for its development as a future clean energy source. Research and educational efforts in NPRE ILLINOIS also span a wide spectrum of plasma science, radiological science, medical physics, materials science, homeland security, reliability and risk, and other related applications. We are also at the forefront of topics involving national and global energy and security issues, particularly concerning the development and implementation of nuclear energy sources and other advanced energy systems. www.npre.illinois.edu
NPRE is part of the Grainger College of Engineering - a top ranked college with 24 top-five-ranked degree programs.
Faculty and students at Illinois benefit from access to world-class experimental and computational facilities across campus, including: Illinois Nuclear Power Institute, Advanced Materials Testing and Evaluation Laboratory, Aerodynamics Research Laboratory, the Coordinated Science Laboratory, the Center for Hypersonics and Entry Systems Studies, Materials Research Laboratory, Holonyak Micro & Nanotechnology Lab, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications.
A doctoral degree in nuclear engineering or a related field is required at the start date, as well as demonstrated interest or track record in developing coursework, teaching effectively, and mentoring/advising students. It is highly desirable that candidates exhibit significant potential in interdisciplinary and collaborative research, including the writing of proposals for funding. The budgeted salary range for the position is $90,000 to $100,000 at the Teaching Assistant Professor level and $100,000 to $110,000 at the Teaching Associate Professor level, 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 May 19, 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 in the fall of 2026; 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) teaching statement, 5) service statement, and 6) names and contact information for three professional references (no letters required at this time). The research, teaching, 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 (https://boldly.illinois.edu/), through campus, community, or professional engagement. For further information regarding application procedures, please address questions to Kathy Atwood at kbuss@illinois.edu.
We have an active and successful Dual Career Academic Couples Program and a strong commitment to work-life balance and family-friendly programs for faculty and staff (https://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/work-life-balance/).
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 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.
Faculty Recruitment
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.
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 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.
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 accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1035822
Job Category: Faculty
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

University of Illinois logo

About University of Illinois

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Illinois, located in Urbana, Illinois, US, is a prominent entity in the higher education sector. Operating its official functions through its website uillinois.edu, the institution provides a range of educational programs and services. The University was founded in 1867 and has since grown dramatically both in size and reputation. Its core values are embodied in its mission to enhance the lives of its students and citizens in the state, nation, and world through leadership in learning, discovery, engagement, and economic development. The university boasts several notable achievements including producing Nobel laureates and Pulitzer prize winners. It is renowned for its research programs and is known for significant advancements across various fields including engineering, science, and humanities.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Urbana, IL, US

Year founded

1974

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