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Associate Professor Jobs in Champaign, IL (NOW HIRING)

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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 Aug 17, 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 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.

Do you need a PhD to be an associate professor?

Yes, most academic institutions require an associate professor to hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree. This qualification demonstrates expertise in the field and is typically necessary for tenure-track faculty positions at universities. Additional requirements may include teaching experience, research publications, and service contributions.

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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 38% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,581 per year, or $49.3 per hour.

Human Communication and Technology Assistant Professor/Associate Professor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Urbana, IL โ€ข On-site

$93K - $100K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Human Communication and Technology

Assistant Professor/Associate Professor

Department of Communication

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Department of Communication at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign seeks a nine-month full-time Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in the area of Human Communication and Technology with an emphasis that connects with our departmental strengths in health, interpersonal, or organizational communication.

Research and teaching should focus on technologies used in communication between or among people. Specific research foci may include the implications and usage of AI in interpersonal relationships, group deliberations, teams, or healthcare organizations; AI and the automation of communication processes, the communication practices involved in automation, or organizational deliberations about automation; the impact of social media and algorithms on human communicative processes; or the implications of potentially transformative technologies for human communication (e.g., generative AI, agentic AI, immersive technologies, wearables, algorithmic management platforms, surveillance technologies, hyperfast networks, AI supply chains and infrastructure, quantum computing). 

The candidate will join departmental colleagues with varied disciplinary backgrounds in a unit of 22 graduate faculty members and 11 specialized faculty members. The department supports undergraduate and Master?s programs (including an online MS program in health communication) as well as one of the nation?s oldest and most distinguished doctoral programs.

For more information about us, visit https://communication.illinois.edu/

The successful candidate will contribute to the mission of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Illinois, where curiosity drives impact. As the heart of a leading land-grant research university, LAS brings together diverse disciplines to explore fundamental questions and address complex challenges. We prepare students for a lifetime of inquiry, leadership, and service through innovative research, transformative teaching, and thoughtful mentoring. We strongly encourage applications from those who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to be effective teachers for our student population with its wide range of backgrounds and experiences, in alignment with the mission of our university. To learn more about the mission, vision, and values of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, visit:  https://las.illinois.edu

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Successful candidates are expected to teach effectively at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, establish and maintain an active and independent research program, and provide service to the department, the university, and the profession. We seek candidates with demonstrated experience engaging with students representing the full breadth of identities to impact the holistic educational and learning environment of the students enrolled in the department and the campus at large.

QUALIFICATIONS

A doctorate in communication or related field is required before the target start date of August 16, 2027. Applicants must show evidence or promise of developing a record of teaching effectiveness and independent social scientific research. Applicants also should demonstrate promise of securing external funding.  Applicants must have either (a) a record of publication indicative of an associate professor for appointment at that rank or (b) evidence of a promising research agenda indicative for appointment at the rank of assistant professor.

Candidates whose doctorate may be delayed but will complete all the degree requirements within the first appointment year may be appointed at the rank of Instructor. After the doctorate requirements are met, the appointment will be changed to Assistant Professor.

SALARY AND APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

This is a full-time, 9-month appointment, tenure-track/tenured position. The expected start date is August 16, 2027. The budgeted salary range for the position is $93,000 to $100,000 at the Assistant Professor level, $100,000 to $121,000 at the Associate Professor level, for a 9-month service basis (paid over 12 months).  The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate, including equivalent years in rank, training, and field or discipline; internal equity; and external market pay for comparable jobs.  This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University?s Workplace Flexibility policy.  This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000 fee.

To find out more about the resources available at the university and Urbana-Champaign community, please visit these sites:

Benefits -Employee benefits are competitive and include those in recognized marriages or civil unions (for same-sex and different-sex partners).

Dual Career Program 

Explore Champaign-Urbana

Work-life balance and family-friendly programs

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINE INFORMATION

To apply for this position, please create your candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu/.

Applicants must submit a letter of application addressing how they meet the required and preferred qualifications for the position, curriculum vitae, a document of no more than 10 pages summarizing evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., a brief teaching portfolio, course materials, student evaluations, peer reviews), and statement of research interests.

We ask that all documents be uploaded in a single .pdf file as an upload in the ?Resume/CV? section.

Letters of recommendation may be requested electronically from referees at a later date. Only applications submitted through the University of Illinois Job board will be considered.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 6pm (CST) on September 15, 2026.

For further information about the position, please contact: Leanne Knobloch, Professor and Search Chair; knobl@illinois.edu.  

Questions regarding the application materials may be directed to lascollegehiring@illinois.edu

For questions regarding the application portal, please contact 217-333-2137 or jobs@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.

Faculty Recruitment
Champaign-Urbana

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.

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 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.