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Exercise Science Research Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Senior Optical Scientist

Lemont, IL · On-site

$130 - $150/hr

You'll need to exercise real judgment filling in the details and adapting as you learn and get ... R&D prototypes for productization Compensation * Salary: $130,000 - $150,000 * Equity: 0.25 - 0.4% ...

Senior Optical Scientist

Lemont, IL · On-site

$92K - $126K/yr

You'll need to exercise real judgment filling in the details and adapting as you learn and get ... R&D prototypes for productization Compensation * Salary: $130k - $160k * Equity: 0.25 - 0.4% ...

Senior Optical Scientist

Lemont, IL · On-site

$92K - $126K/yr

You'll need to exercise real judgment filling in the details and adapting as you learn and get ... R&D prototypes for productization Compensation * Salary: $130k - $160k * Equity: 0.25 - 0.4% ...

Showing results 21-40

Exercise Science Research information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$28.8K

$93.1K

$158.6K

How much do exercise science research jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for exercise science research in Chicago, IL is $93,145.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $101,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is exercise science research?

Exercise science research involves the systematic study of how physical activity, exercise, and sports impact human health, performance, and disease prevention. Researchers in this field investigate a range of topics including biomechanics, physiology, nutrition, psychology, and motor control. The goal is to understand how exercise affects the body and mind so that effective programs and recommendations can be developed for individuals and populations. Exercise science research is crucial for advancing knowledge in sports performance, rehabilitation, and overall health promotion.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an exercise science researcher?

To thrive as an Exercise Science Researcher, you need a solid background in physiology, biomechanics, and data analysis, usually supported by a relevant degree such as a master's or PhD in exercise science or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, statistical analysis software (like SPSS or R), and research methodologies is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills are crucial for designing studies and sharing findings. These skills ensure rigorous research practices, accurate data interpretation, and impactful contributions to the advancement of exercise science.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in exercise science research, and how can they be overcome?

Professionals in Exercise Science Research often encounter challenges such as recruiting and retaining study participants, ensuring data reliability, and managing complex interdisciplinary projects. Building strong relationships with local communities and athletic organizations can improve participant engagement. Additionally, collaborating closely with colleagues from nutrition, physiology, and medical backgrounds helps ensure comprehensive research design and analysis. Staying current with advancements in technology and research methodology also supports high-quality, impactful studies.

What is the difference between Exercise Science Research vs Exercise Physiologist?

AspectExercise Science ResearchExercise Physiologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Exercise Science or related field; research experience often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Exercise Physiology; certification (e.g., ACSM) often required
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, universities, research institutionsClinics, hospitals, fitness centers, sports facilities
Employer & IndustryAcademic institutions, research organizations, government agenciesHealthcare providers, fitness industry, sports teams
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding research roles in exercise scienceCareer as a practicing exercise physiologist

Exercise Science Research focuses on conducting studies to advance knowledge in exercise and human performance, often within academic or research settings. In contrast, Exercise Physiologists apply exercise principles directly to improve health and fitness in clinical or fitness environments. Both roles require related educational backgrounds but differ in daily tasks and work settings.

How to become an exercise science researcher?

To become an exercise science researcher, typically a bachelor's degree in exercise science, kinesiology, or a related field is required, followed by a master's or doctoral degree for advanced research roles. Developing skills in research methods, data analysis, and laboratory techniques, along with experience in scientific studies, is essential for success in this field.

What else can I do with an exercise science research degree?

An exercise science research degree prepares individuals for careers in academia, sports performance, rehabilitation, and health promotion. Graduates can work as exercise physiologists, research scientists, strength and conditioning coaches, or health educators, often requiring certifications like ACSM or NSCA. The degree also provides a foundation for advanced study or roles involving data analysis, program development, and clinical assessment.

What jobs can you get with a PhD in exercise science?

A PhD in exercise science qualifies individuals for research positions in academia, government agencies, or private industry, focusing on human performance, rehabilitation, or health promotion. Graduates often work as university professors, research scientists, exercise physiologists, or consultants, utilizing skills in data analysis, experimental design, and advanced knowledge of physiology and biomechanics.

What are popular job titles related to Exercise Science Research jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Exercise Science Research jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Exercise Science Research jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Exercise Science Research jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Exercise Science Research jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Exercise Science Research job openings:

Infographic showing various Exercise Science Research job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,145 per year, or $44.8 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

As a Quantitative Researcher, your focus is on identifying trading opportunities, but you can add even more value with strong quantitative skills and some coding proficiency to accelerate the innovation process and help others leverage your work.
By working on a variety of projects with different collaborators over a six-month period, you'll gain new knowledge and insight into the fundamentals of market dynamics, trading strategies, and our proprietary research platform. We've stripped away the boundaries of what you can access and touch internally, so while you learn the intricacies of our industry, you'll have plenty of opportunities to contribute and directly affect our bottom line within your first few weeks on the team.
COMPENSATION - Competitive salary, plus quarterly bonus based on individual performance and contribution towards success of others and the firm.
Qualifications
We're looking for highly analytical people (math, physics, computer science, statistics, electrical engineering, etc.) who want to help build the research-driven trading firm of the future. To do that, you'll need the following qualities:
  • Persistent Drive to Improve - Do you have an innate desire to rise to the next level, even after great accomplishment?
  • Creative Problem Solving and Probabilistic Thinking - You must enjoy learning and implementing new concepts quickly, combining knowledge from different domains to create new ideas, and take a data-driven and probabilistic approach to testing and implementing new ideas.
  • Team Mindset - We want people who understand 1+1 > 2 and are as committed to making the team better through sharing ideas as they are driven to improve their individual performance.
  • Mental Flexibility & Self Awareness - You'll have to frequently adapt based on new data, results, and feedback on your trading ideas and your performance.
  • Orientation for Making Money - Although we value academic training, our work is not an academic exercise. We take a hacker's approach to testing ideas, dropping projects that consume time without high upside, and focusing our next efforts on what will create the most value for the firm.

Research / Quant trading strategy skills to have or develop
  • Strong intuition and deep thinking with data sets - Designs new alphas, understands complex systems; knows where to start, or ask others where to start
  • Demonstrates strong "hacking" ability to quickly get into data to look for empirical relationships and decipher noise or signal
  • Familiarity with classical statistical methods and knows when and how to apply them in a rigorous fashion; Easily learns how to apply new statistical methods; will seek out and learn new methods to better solve problems
  • Constantly questions finance/trading data and stays motivated to seek answers despite most often proving that there is no correlation or signal
  • Experience in setup of research framework and execution of projects
  • Understanding of financial products, market dynamics, and microstructure
  • Low-level computer languages like C++ or Python, Java, etc.; awareness of strength in particular language and ability to solve more complex problems due to understanding nuances of the language