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Graduate Student Jobs in Champaign, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Graduate Student information

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How much do graduate student jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate student in Champaign, IL is $16.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.66 and $18.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate student?

Graduate students are individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree and are pursuing advanced studies, typically at the master's or doctoral level. They enroll in graduate programs to gain deeper knowledge in a specific field, conduct research, and develop specialized skills. Graduate students may also take on teaching or research assistantships as part of their academic training. Their studies often culminate in a thesis, dissertation, or comprehensive exams, depending on the program.

How can I get a job as a graduate student?

The qualifications that you need to get a job as a graduate student include enrollment in a master’s or Ph.D. program and fundamental research or teaching skills. Employers usually select graduate degree employees for positions that are relevant to the programs in which they study. A biology graduate student, for example, can work as a teaching assistant for an undergraduate biology class or serve as an assistant on a biology-related research project. However, you may occasionally find work outside of your specialization if there is some crossover. Some employers require applicants to meet grade-point requirements or complete basic coursework before applying.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate student?

To thrive as a Graduate Student, you need strong research abilities, subject-matter expertise from an undergraduate degree, and critical thinking skills. Familiarity with academic databases, reference management tools like EndNote or Zotero, and data analysis software such as SPSS or R is often required. Time management, perseverance, and effective communication are essential soft skills for balancing coursework, research, and collaboration. These competencies are vital for successfully navigating demanding academic environments and producing impactful scholarly work.

What are common challenges graduate students face when balancing research, coursework, and teaching responsibilities?

Graduate students often juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously, such as conducting research, completing coursework, and fulfilling teaching assistant duties. Managing time effectively and setting clear priorities can be challenging, especially during peak periods like exams or grant deadlines. Many students find it helpful to communicate regularly with their advisors and peers, utilize campus resources for academic support, and develop strong organizational habits to stay on track. Building a supportive network and seeking guidance early can alleviate stress and help maintain a healthy work-life balance.

What is the difference between Graduate Student vs Research Assistant?

AspectGraduate StudentResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsEnrolled in a graduate program, often pursuing a master's or PhDTypically has a relevant degree; may be a current student or recent graduate
Work EnvironmentAcademic institutions, labs, classroomsResearch labs, universities, research centers
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, colleges, academic researchUniversities, research institutions, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for academic and research rolesSpecialized research roles within academia

The main difference is that a Graduate Student is enrolled in a degree program and may undertake research as part of their coursework, while a Research Assistant is typically employed to assist with research projects, often holding a relevant degree or current student status. Both roles are common in academic settings and involve research activities, but their primary purpose and employment status differ.

What are good jobs for graduate students?

Graduate students often pursue part-time or flexible jobs such as research assistantships, teaching assistantships, tutoring, or internships related to their field of study. These roles help gain experience, develop skills, and often accommodate a student’s schedule while providing income. Additionally, roles in retail, hospitality, or administrative support are common for supplementary income.

What job categories do people searching Graduate Student jobs in Champaign, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Graduate Student jobs in Champaign, IL are:

What cities near Champaign, IL are hiring for Graduate Student jobs?

Cities near Champaign, IL with the most Graduate Student job openings:

Infographic showing various Graduate Student job openings in Champaign, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 58% Full Time, 38% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,515 per year, or $16.6 per hour.

Graduate Student Fellow, Research Data & Innovation

Carle Health

Urbana, IL • On-site

$25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Carle Health rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 213 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

237th of 891 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Overview
The Stephens Family Clinical Research Institute (SFCRI) is seeking to hire 4 hourly Graduate Student Fellows in Research Data & Innovation to support the SFCRI's efforts to build and maintain a clinically innovative yet secure research data environment. The Fellows will be expected to provide technical expertise to SFCRI and its stakeholders, including CI MED students and Carle clinician faculty. The individuals must be able to commit to 9-12 months in this position, with an average of at least 5 hours of work per week. The individual must be an excellent communicator, approachable, organized and able to work in a diverse team environment while also possessing a high degree of initiative and resourcefulness.
Qualifications
Education: Doctorate: Medicine
Responsibilities
Experience Requirements
  • At least 1 year experience working with clinical data to understand different available data resources/types and validity of the data (e.g. diagnoses, labs, appointments, care goals, flowsheet)
  • Knowledge of database languages
  • At least 1 year experience with querying databases (Microsoft SQL preferred)
  • At least 1 year experience with programming languages (python preferred)
  • Experience with data modeling, data mining, data analysis, and data management
  • Knowledge of HIPAA and its relevance in clinical research
  • Knowledge of AI concepts, such as ML algorithms for regression, classification and clustering, generative AI and their uses

Essential Functions
  • Act as the IIRS liaison with the CI MED students to receive feedback and cascade information to the Director of Strategic Research Initiatives
  • Assist the Director of Strategic Research Initiatives in developing and executing strategies to ***facilitate successful research projects with CI MED students and Carle stakeholders
  • Assist the IIRS team in complying with Carle IT policies and procedures
  • Assist the IIRS study-navigators in aligning research protocols with Carle Research Institute policies and the Investigator-Initiated Research Services' processes
  • Provide other research support duties in SFCRI, as needed
  • Become experts in the OMOP common data model, ATLAS, Athena, and other tools needed to work with Research Data Warehouse (RDW) data
  • Test the OMOP RDW data, log any errors that are identified, and provide solutions
  • Writing the data queries in Microsoft SQL
  • Assist stakeholders in planning, design, execution, and analysis of data science projects using SFCRI's OMOP RDW
  • Assist in organizing OMOP RDW training events including creating training materials Assist CI MED students, Carle users and stakeholders with RDW projects
  • Review, update, and maintain information and documentation about the RDW, including the website
  • Perform analyses and train ML models on RDW data

About Us
Find it here.
Discover the job, the career, the purpose you were meant for. At Carle Health, we're committed to fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered, where passion and purpose come together to positively impact the lives of our patients and our communities. Find it all at Carle Health.
Our nearly 17,000 team members and providers work together to support patient care across central and southeastern Illinois. We've grown to include eight, award-winning hospitals and a multispecialty provider group with more than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice providers. We're developing the next generation of providers and healthcare professionals through Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world's first engineering-based medical school, and Methodist College. Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center hold Magnet® designations, the nation's highest honor for nursing care. We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Carle Health participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. | For more information: human.resources@carle.com.
Compensation and Benefits
The compensation range for this position is $25per hour - $25per hour. This represents a good faith minimum and maximum range for the role at the time of posting by Carle Health. The actual compensation offered a candidate will be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's experience, qualifications, location, training, licenses, shifts worked and compensation model. Carle Health offers a comprehensive benefits package for team members and providers. To learn more visit careers.carlehealth.org/benefits.

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About Carle

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Each and every employee at Carle makes us better and stronger, so we can take care of our patients and our community. From clinical to professional and technical careers – our team of employees help us change lives. Carle is proud to be named a Great Place to Work®. Alongside Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, and Carle Health Proctor Hospital, the Carle Foundation Hospital holds Magnet® designation, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care.

Industry

Health care and social assistance, hospitals and outpatient health care

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Urbana, IL, US