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Graduate Research Assistant Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

The University of Chicago

Research, Analyst

Chicago, IL · On-site

The Laboratory Technician will also assist with day-to-day lab operations, including reagent and ... Interact with graduate students, postdocs, and other lab personnel to support ongoing experiments ...

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How much do graduate research assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research assistant in Elgin, IL is $19.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.71 and $22.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate research assistant?

Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) are graduate students who work under the supervision of faculty members to assist with academic research projects. Their responsibilities can include data collection, literature reviews, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and helping to prepare research publications or presentations. These positions often provide students with hands-on experience in their field of study and may offer a stipend or tuition waiver as compensation. GRAs play a crucial role in advancing university research while developing skills for future academic or professional careers.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a graduate research assistant?

To thrive as a Graduate Research Assistant, you need a solid academic background in your field, strong analytical skills, and experience with research methodologies. Proficiency with data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or MATLAB), literature databases, and possibly laboratory equipment is often required. Excellent organization, attention to detail, and strong communication skills set candidates apart in collaborative research environments. These skills are essential for producing high-quality research, meeting project deadlines, and contributing effectively to academic teams.

What challenges do graduate research assistants face when balancing research projects with coursework?

Graduate Research Assistants often juggle multiple responsibilities, including research tasks, coursework, and sometimes teaching duties. Time management is a frequent challenge, as research projects may have unpredictable workloads or urgent deadlines that overlap with academic requirements. Clear communication with your advisor and setting realistic expectations can help manage these demands. Many assistants find that developing strong organizational skills and seeking support from peers or mentors aids in maintaining a healthy balance between research and academic obligations.

What is the difference between Graduate Research Assistant vs Research Intern?

AspectGraduate Research AssistantResearch Intern
Required CredentialsGraduate degree (Master's or Ph.D.) often requiredUndergraduate or graduate students, less formal credentials needed
Work EnvironmentAcademic or research institution, often part of a universityResearch labs, industry, or academic settings, usually temporary
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, government agenciesCorporations, research firms, academic labs

In summary, a Graduate Research Assistant typically holds a graduate degree and works within academic or research institutions, focusing on long-term research projects. In contrast, a Research Intern is often a student or early-career individual gaining practical experience, usually on a temporary basis in various research settings.

Can you be a graduate research assistant with a master's degree?

Yes, a master's degree is often sufficient to qualify for a graduate research assistant position, which typically requires strong research skills, familiarity with relevant tools, and academic coursework. Some positions may prefer or require additional qualifications such as a related bachelor's degree or specific technical expertise.

Is being a graduate research assistant worth it?

A graduate research assistant role provides valuable research experience, skills in data analysis and academic writing, and networking opportunities within a university environment. However, it often involves low pay and a demanding schedule, so its worth depends on individual career goals and financial needs.
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Cities near Elgin, IL with the most Graduate Research Assistant job openings:

Graduate Research Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Research Assistant job openings in Elgin, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,738 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Research Assistant, Materials Chemistry (Nanoparticles)

Mundelein, IL • On-site

Until
See more jobs at Untilexternal

$95K - $105K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

About the Company:

Until is a moonshot company building a “pause button” for biology. Our near-term focus is organ-scale reversible cryopreservation: preserving donated organs at subzero temperatures without ice formation, then rewarming them uniformly for transplant. By solving this grand challenge, we’re laying the foundation for whole-body reversible cryopreservation, giving patients a bridge to future cures.

To achieve our goal, we are assembling an interdisciplinary team to develop perfusion systems, cryoprotectant formulations, and vitrification and rewarming hardware.

We envision a future where no transplantable organ is lost to logistics, and no terminal diagnosis is final because patients can safely wait for future medicine to arrive. 

We're hiring an experienced, full-time Research Associate to support nanomaterials synthesis, characterization, and implementation. You will work directly with our scientific team to create novel materials, ensure their reproducible synthesis and characterization, and help scale to a manufacturable product.

Key Responsibilities

The day-to-day activities of our Research Associate will vary, and may include all or none of these tasks on a given day:

  • Synthesize nanomaterials using high pressure reactors.

  • Purify materials and prep them for secondary experiments.

  • Characterize the materials using in house analysis techniques.

  • Work with external centers for advanced characterization of the material.

  • Interface and work with external collaborators, CROs, or CMOs.

  • Create, document, and maintain organizational and purchasing systems for chemicals and special reagents.

  • Work collaboratively with and prepare solutions for the organ transplant and hardware team.

  • Ensure on-time data reporting and accurate sample delivery.

  • Prepare equipment and supplies for experiments of a variety of modalities, and assist with laboratory consumables management.

 

Additionally, as your laboratory capabilities expand, you will have the opportunity to support a growing number of experiments, including but not limited to: Organ cooling/rewarming, assay design, cryoprotectant formulation, cryoprotectant discovery, medical Imaging, toxicology, etc. Prior experience performing these experiments is not required, however, general familiarity with most or all of these concepts is very helpful.

Required Qualifications

  • You've completed an undergraduate degree in STEM with 3+ years of relevant experience in materials science, chemistry, bioengineering or a related field (Industrial or Academic)

  • Creative, passionate about discovery, excited to push science forward

  • Comfortable in a laboratory setting

  • Experience doing materials synthesis

  • Experience with multiple characterization techniques, including FTIR, NMR, TEM, DSC, Viscometry, etc

Why Join Us
  • An opportunity to grow; team members who have an outsized impact are advanced rapidly

  • Generous medical, dental and vision insurance coverage

  • Flexible time off and paid holidays

  • Competitive compensation package, including salary and equity

  • Access to a 401(k) retirement savings plan

  • FSA and commuter benefits

  • Daily lunch and dinners, plus a variety of snacks 

  • Monthly learning stipend

  • On-site fitness center

As an equal opportunity employer, Until is committed to providing employment opportunities to all individuals. All applicants for positions at Until will be treated without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.