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Associate Professor Jobs in Champaign, IL (NOW HIRING)

Associate Professor information

See Champaign, IL salary details

$43.6K

$102.6K

$142.7K

How much do associate professor jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate professor in Champaign, IL is $102,581.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,100.00 and $126,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is an Associate Professor?

An associate professor teaches at a college or university campus and ranks below a full professor. As an associate professor, you still perform the primary job duties of a full professor, such as interacting with students, grading classroom assignments, assisting students with study techniques, and developing lesson plans. You may also spend part of your career working on research projects and writing articles for academic journals.

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

To thrive as an Associate Professor, you need advanced subject matter expertise, a doctoral degree in your field, and a record of research and scholarly publication. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), academic databases, and research software is typically required. Strong communication, mentorship, and organizational skills help foster student engagement and productive collegial relationships. These competencies are essential for effective teaching, impactful research, and meaningful contributions to academic communities.

What are some common challenges faced by Associate Professors when balancing research, teaching, and service responsibilities?

Associate Professors often juggle multiple responsibilities, including conducting research, teaching courses, mentoring students, and participating in departmental or university service. Balancing these can be challenging, especially when research expectations remain high while teaching loads and committee work increase after promotion. Successful Associate Professors typically develop strong time-management skills, collaborate with colleagues to share best practices, and seek mentorship or support from their academic community. Proactive planning and clear communication with department leadership can also help manage these competing demands.

What are Associate Professors?

Associate Professors are mid-level faculty members at colleges and universities who have typically earned tenure and demonstrated significant achievements in teaching, research, and service. They rank above Assistant Professors but below full Professors. Associate Professors are responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, conducting research, publishing scholarly work, and contributing to their academic department and institution. Promotion to this rank usually requires several years of experience and a proven record of academic excellence.

What is the lowest rank of a professor?

The lowest academic rank of a professor is typically Assistant Professor. This entry-level position usually requires a doctoral degree and involves teaching, research, and service responsibilities before promotion to higher ranks like Associate Professor and Full Professor.

What is the difference between Associate Professor vs Assistant Professor?

AspectAssociate ProfessorAssistant Professor
Required CredentialsDoctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent), significant research and teaching experienceDoctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent), typically early in academic career
Work EnvironmentUniversity faculty, involved in teaching, research, and serviceUniversity faculty, primarily focused on teaching and beginning research
Employer & Industry UsageHigher education institutions, research universitiesHigher education institutions, research universities

In summary, an Associate Professor is a more senior academic role with extensive research and teaching experience, while an Assistant Professor is an entry-level faculty position focused on developing research and teaching skills.

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 Associate Professor jobs in Champaign, IL? For Associate Professor jobs in Champaign, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Professor jobs in Champaign, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Professor jobs in Champaign, IL are:
What cities near Champaign, IL are hiring for Associate Professor jobs? Cities near Champaign, IL with the most Associate Professor job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Professor job openings in Champaign, IL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, 43% Part Time, and 10% Temporary. Highlights an 49% Physical, and 51% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,581 per year, or $49.3 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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