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Assistant Professor Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Professor

Downers Grove, IL ยท On-site

$110 - $150/hr

The Assistant Professor Preclinical Faculty must have earned a DDS/DMD degree or equivalent. A minimum of 3 years of experience in a general dental clinical practice is preferred. The completion of a ...

Assistant Professor

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$99K - $125K/yr

Position Details Position Details Job Title Assistant Professor Position Title Assistant Professor Position Number Job Category University Faculty Job Type Full-Time FLSA Status Exempt Campus Maywood ...

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Assistant Professor information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$43.8K

$82.5K

$139.1K

How much do assistant professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant professor in Chicago, IL is $82,470.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,800.00 and $94,300.00 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 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 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 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 do you do as an assistant professor?

An assistant professor conducts research, teaches courses, and advises students within their academic discipline. They typically engage in scholarly activities, publish findings, and participate in departmental service, often working toward tenure. The role requires strong communication skills and expertise in their field, with a schedule that includes lectures, research, and administrative duties.

What are the most commonly searched types of Professor jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Professor jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Assistant Professor jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Assistant Professor job openings:

Infographic showing various Assistant Professor job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $82,470 per year, or $39.6 per hour.

$95 - $130/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

The Assistant Professor Preclinical Faculty must have earned a DDS/DMD degree or equivalent. A minimum of 3 years of experience in a general dental clinical practice is preferred. The completion of a post-doctoral General Dentist Residency or training is preferred. The candidate should have strong clinical expertise in the use of CAD/CAM technologies. It is preferred that the Preclinical Faculty have some minimal level of teaching experience at an academic health center. This individual should be a person committed to educating and empowering students with a wide range of clinical and academic abilities.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Preclinical Education, the Assistant Professor Preclinical Faculty will:

  • Work directly with students in the simulation clinic, supervising the development of hand skills in all areas of general dentistry
  • Interact positively with students, treating all students as future colleagues.
  • Be competent in teaching and demonstrating all areas of general dentistry.
  • Be a positive role model for students in professionalism.
  • Be an example of an active lifeโ€‘long learner in dentistry, through learning new techniques, materials and treatment protocols as needed by the college.
  • Being open to technology and learning new delivery systems to mentor students.
  • Adopt different teaching techniques and styles to meet the needs of individual students.
  • Be willing to serve on committees within the college and/or university.
  • Interact professionally with all faculty and staff, treating all faculty and staff with respect and collegiality.
  • Be expected to take courses in education as needed, which should include skills of delivering lectures, as well as skills in developing examinations.
  • Be willing to develop and deliver lectures on topics or disciplines as requested by the Associate Dean for Preclinical Education.
  • Be a course director as requested by the Associate Dean for Preclinical Education.
  • Evaluate students in a timely manner (daily, quarterly or weekly) as required by the college.
  • Meet with the Associate Dean for Preclinical Education for performance reviews.
  • Be competent in the use of the collegeโ€™s patient digital record keeping system, being able to demonstrate in the simulation clinic use of the Electronic Health Record.
  • Work professionally with specialists as needed, roleโ€‘modeling to students the ideal of a positive working relationship of a general dentist with dental specialists.
  • Be a positive influence on the MWU CDMI program.
  • Be willing to mentor students in small groups on projects or special needs, as requested by the college.
  • Be willing to work as a member of a team of faculty, accepting calibration of college protocols as necessary in the college teaching environment.
  • Assume other responsibilities as needed, at the request of the Associate Dean for Preclinical Education.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • The Preclinical Faculty position involves being in the dental simulation clinic when students are in session and walking between the students without disturbing them. The Preclinical Faculty is expected to actively circulate through the assigned bench during operating hours to evaluate, provide feedback, and grade procedures performed by students.
  • Inherent to this Preclinical Faculty Assistant Professor position is the ability of the faculty to work chairside to evaluate procedures that are being performed by students.
  • Inherent to this Preclinical Faculty Assistant Professor position is the ability of the Faculty to sit or stand chairside and demonstrate procedures for students on a simulator at the dental simulation clinic.
  • Inherent to this Preclinical Faculty Assistant Professor position is the ability of the Faculty to communicate, listen and follow along to any communications occurring during studentsโ€™ learning.
  • The Preclinical Faculty must be capable of tolerating the lights and noises associated with the dental simulation clinic.
  • The Preclinical Faculty must be capable of lifting and /or moving up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds.
  • Specific vision abilities required for Preclinical Faculty include close and distance vision, including looking at a computer monitor for extended periods of time.

Additional inquiries may be directed to:

Kaveh Adel, D.D.S.
Associate Dean of Preclinical Education
Midwestern University Illinois
kadel@midwestern.edu

Midwestern University is a private, notโ€‘forโ€‘profit organization that provides graduate and postโ€‘graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois, and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 fullโ€‘time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speechโ€‘language pathology, biomedical sciences, and veterinary medicine. Over 500 fullโ€‘time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the healthcare team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/longโ€‘term disability, and pet insurance. We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care accounts. We offer a workโ€‘life balance with a competitive time off package including paid holidays, sick/flex days, personal days, and vacation days. We offer a 403(b)-retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, childcare subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection, and an employee assistance program. Wellness is important to us, and we offer a wellness facility onโ€‘site with a fully equipped fitness facility.

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws, including 41 C.F.R. 60-1.4(a), 250.5(a), 300.5(a) and 741.5(a). Midwestern University complies with the Smokeโ€‘Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/). Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts

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