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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Elburn, IL (NOW HIRING)

Associate Provost

Wheaton, IL ยท On-site

$150 - $175K/hr

... and reach of graduate programs with a focus on areas that transcend our current curricular ... Research, Admission, and Marketing and Communications to explore new initiatives and improve ...

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Graduate Research Associate information

See Elburn, IL salary details

$16

$32

$46

How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research associate in Elburn, IL is $32.22, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.96 and $36.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate research associate?

Graduate Research Associates are graduate students, often pursuing a master's or doctoral degree, who assist faculty members or research teams with academic research projects. Their responsibilities can include collecting and analyzing data, conducting literature reviews, preparing research reports, and sometimes co-authoring publications. These positions help students gain practical research experience and develop skills relevant to their academic and professional careers.

What are some typical challenges graduate research associates face when balancing research responsibilities with coursework or teaching duties?

Graduate Research Associates often juggle multiple commitments, including research, coursework, and sometimes teaching assistantships. Managing time effectively can be challenging, especially when project deadlines and academic requirements overlap. Many associates develop strong organizational and communication skills to handle shifting priorities, and it's common to coordinate closely with advisors to set realistic goals and expectations. Proactively seeking support from peers and utilizing university resources can also help in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate research associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Research Associate, you need a solid academic background in your field, strong analytical skills, and experience with research methodologies, typically supported by enrollment in a relevant graduate program. Familiarity with data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or MATLAB), literature databases, and possibly lab equipment or coding languages is often required. Excellent written and verbal communication, attention to detail, and time management are critical soft skills for producing high-quality research and collaborating with faculty and peers. These skills are vital for conducting rigorous research, contributing to academic publications, and advancing both individual and institutional research goals.

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

AspectGraduate Research AssociateResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically enrolled in a graduate program; may have a bachelor's degreeUsually holds a bachelor's degree; some roles require a master's
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, or industry R&D departmentsResearch labs, academic settings, or fieldwork environments
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, and industry R&D teamsUniversities, government agencies, and private companies

The Graduate Research Associate role generally involves advanced research responsibilities within academic or industry settings and often requires enrollment in a graduate program. Research Assistants typically support research projects with less independent responsibility and may have fewer educational prerequisites. Both roles are essential for research projects but differ mainly in educational status and scope of responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Research jobs in Elburn, IL?

The most popular types of Graduate Research jobs in Elburn, IL are:

What cities near Elburn, IL are hiring for Graduate Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Elburn, IL with the most Graduate Research Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Graduate Research Associate job openings in Elburn, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,026 per year, or $32.2 per hour.

Adjunct Faculty - Business Administration (Graduate)

Aurora University

Aurora, IL โ€ข On-site

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Aurora, IL
Job Type: Adjunct Faculty
Job Number: 202500029
College/School: College of Liberal Arts and Business - Dunham School of Business
Department: Master Business Administration
Opening Date: 10/21/2025
Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.
AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples' lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.
We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found
Position Purpose:
Aurora University seeks talented adjunct faculty who are passionate about teaching and learning. Adjunct faculty are qualified part-time instructors offered teaching opportunities based on course demand and staffing.
Essential Job Functions:
Aurora University is searching for qualified instructors as part of its adjunct faculty pool to teach in Business (undergraduate Business Administration and MBA).
Teaching Responsibilities
We are seeking adjunct faculty to teach courses in business across the curriculum, from undergraduate to graduate, including the following courses:
  • Business Communication
  • Business Data Analytics
  • Business Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking
  • Business Ethics
  • Business Management
  • Business Operations Management
  • Business Organizational Behavior and Leadership
  • Business Research and Insights
  • Business Strategic Planning
  • Communication Management

Essential Job Requirements:
While a terminal degree is preferred, a master's degree in a related field is required. Industry experience and college-level teaching experience are preferred. Daytime and evening campus-based availability is preferred.
Skills:
The anticipated pay rate for this position is $1,100 per credit hour. This compensation is subject to change at the sole discretion of the university, based on institutional needs.
The pay range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted amount the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The final pay rate will not be below the lowest pay rate listed herein.
Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.
Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
This position is not eligible for benefits.
01
Do you understand that this position is not remote and will require you to be onsite or work in a hybrid capacity within the Chicagoland area?
  • Yes
  • No

02
Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?
  • High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree
  • Professional degree
  • Doctorate degree
  • Doctor of Philosophy

Required Question