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Research Lab Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Research Technician

Chicago, IL · On-site

$18.50 - $25.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The lab focuses on the combined effects of CD4 and CD8 T cells and has contributed to a number of ... The laboratory does basic, pre-clinical as wellasclinical research.The incumbentshould be a ...

Research, Analyst

Chicago, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Department BSD E&E Carley Lab About the Department The Kreiner Lab (kreinerlab.com) and Carley Lab ... These two research groups are separate entities, but use overlapping methods and techniques in ...

Research, Technician

Chicago, IL · On-site

$21.63 - $28.85/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Department BSD OBA - Sereno Lab About the Department Through the disciplines of Comparative ... Research Technician position at the University Fossil Lab will perform the core functions of the ...

Lead Research Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Department UL Inclusive Economy Lab About the Department The Inclusive Economy Lab is led by ... Her research, which covers labor economics, corporate finance, and development economics, has been ...

R&D/QA Lab Technician

Chicago, IL · On-site

$19.50 - $26/hr

Requirements Role Description The R&D/QA Lab Technician will be a critical role in Chicago. In this hands-on role, you will support the development, testing, and continuous improvement of our food ...

R&D/QA Lab Technician

Chicago, IL · On-site

$19.50 - $26/hr

Requirements Role Description The R&D/QA Lab Technician will be a critical role in Chicago. In this hands-on role, you will support the development, testing, and continuous improvement of our food ...

R&D/QA Lab Technician

Chicago, IL · On-site

$19.50 - $26/hr

Requirements Role Description The R&D/QA Lab Technician will be a critical role in Chicago. In this hands-on role, you will support the development, testing, and continuous improvement of our food ...

Showing results 41-60

Research Lab information

See Illinois salary details

$8

$21

$40

How much do research lab jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for research lab in Illinois is $21.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $26.54 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research lab?

A research lab is a specialized facility where scientists, researchers, or students conduct experiments and investigations to advance knowledge in a particular field. Research labs can be found in universities, hospitals, private companies, or government institutions and are equipped with tools and equipment tailored to their focus area. These labs support a variety of activities, such as basic or applied research, testing, and product development, often following strict safety and ethical guidelines.

What is the difference between Research Lab vs Research Assistant?

AspectResearch LabResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically advanced degrees (Master's or PhD)Bachelor's or ongoing graduate studies
Work EnvironmentLaboratory settings, research facilitiesAssist in experiments, data collection in labs or field
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, corporate R&DUniversities, research projects, government agencies

Research Lab refers to a facility or organization conducting scientific research, often led by senior researchers. A Research Assistant is a role within a research lab, supporting experiments and data analysis. While both are involved in research activities, Research Lab is the environment or organization, whereas Research Assistant is a specific job position within that environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a research lab position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Research Lab position, you need strong analytical skills, scientific knowledge in your field, and typically at least a bachelor's or advanced degree in a related discipline. Familiarity with lab equipment, data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or MATLAB), and adherence to safety protocols are commonly required. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for success. These abilities ensure accurate experimentation, meaningful results, and a safe, collaborative research environment.

What are some common challenges faced when working in a research lab environment?

Working in a research lab often involves navigating tight deadlines, adapting to rapidly changing project priorities, and troubleshooting experimental setbacks. Collaboration is key, as you'll frequently work alongside other researchers, lab technicians, and sometimes students, which requires strong communication skills. Additionally, maintaining meticulous records and adhering to strict safety protocols are essential to ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of research findings. Overcoming these challenges can be highly rewarding and can help foster valuable problem-solving and teamwork skills for your future career.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Lab jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Research Lab jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Research Lab jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Research Lab job openings:

Infographic showing various Research Lab job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,396 per year, or $21.3 per hour.

$18.50 - $25.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


University Of Chicago rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

162nd of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Department

BSD PAT - Schreiber Lab


About the Department

Hans Schreiber's lab uses a mouse model to study T cell-mediated immunotherapy in progressively growing tumors. The lab focuses on the combined effects of CD4 and CD8 T cells and has contributed to a number of important discoveries in the field of cancer immunotherapy. The lab uses a combination of in vivo and in vitro experiments and has developed several imaging methodologies to inform findings everywhere from the molecular through tissue-level.


Job Summary

In the Schreiber Laboratory in the Department of Pathology, the employee will be working under supervision of a postdoc and the principal investigator to support andassistwith the daily technical and project associated duties. The laboratory does basic, pre-clinical as wellasclinical research.The incumbentshould be a proactive participant member of the team and interested in research investigating molecular and immunologic aspects of cancer.
This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract.Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Responsibilities

  • Culture work.

  • Maintenance of an animal colony (small rodents, mainly mice) including breeding and genotyping.

  • Maintenance of a liquid nitrogen cell bank and managing lab supplies and reagents.

  • Eager to understand and support the ongoing research projects as well as exploring related literature, participation and presentations in lab meetings, research seminars and training possibilities. Help to keep the lab up-to-date with all mandatory requirements/protocols.

  • Train and collaborate with incoming graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, residents and visiting researchers. Also, to interact productively with other faculty inside and outside the University.

  • The applicant should be responsive to highly flexible working hours, quickly adapt to new projects and environment and develop an understanding of the nature of experiments performed in molecular biology and cancer immunology. Associated time constraints may require occasional weekend time and late evenings.

  • Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project.

  • Analyzes and maintains data and/or specimens. Conducts literature reviews. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.

  • Installs, sets up and performs experiments; interacting with students and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator.

  • Maintains recruiting and scheduling research subjects; assisting with developing or amending study protocols; assisting with developing data collection tools; assisting with building databases; and providing general administrative support. Has general awareness in research techniques or methods, regulatory policies and procedures, and relevant scientific field.

  • Performs other related work as needed.


Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.


Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.


Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor's or Master's in molecular/cell biology or related fields.

Experience:

  • 1-2 years of experience in a research environment.

Preferred Competencies

  • An excellent knowledge of spoken and written English. Excellent quantitative skills are also needed.

  • Ability to write up (detailed design) and execute experiments discussed with the principal investigator.

  • Ability to understand the ongoing research projects and related literature, participation in journal clubs and research seminars and training.

  • Ability to guide, motivate and encourage incoming graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, residents and visiting researchers, and to interact productively with other faculty inside and outside the University.

  • Ability to work as a positive team member.

  • Proficiency in computers, particularly data base search and data entry.

  • Ability to be a proactive participant/team member dedicated to research exploring the molecular biology and immunology of cancer.

  • Ability to be highly flexible with work hours, and quickly adapt to new projects.

  • Ability to perform database searches and data entry as well as the use of Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

  • Understanding of basic molecular biology techniques, in particular basic molecular cloning and PCR design.

  • Basic knowledge of cell biology, genetics and immunology.

Working Conditions

  • Lab environment.

Application Documents

  • Resume (required)

  • Cover Letter (preferred)


The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.


Job Family

Research


Role Impact

Individual Contributor


Scheduled Weekly Hours

40


Drug Test Required

No


Health Screen Required

Yes


Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No


Pay Rate Type

Salary


FLSA Status

Exempt


Pay Range

$50,000.00 - $70,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.


Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.


Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.


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