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Research Trainee Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Summary The Land O'Frost Management Trainee Program is designed for individuals ready to build a ... Supply Chain, Engineering, Research & Development, Environmental Health & Safety and Continuous ...

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The Trainee will be responsible for providing high quality deliverables to our internal team in ... Provide desk research in support of client/program objectives * Provide administration support and ...

The Trainee will be responsible for providing high quality deliverables to our internal team in ... Provide desk research in support of client/program objectives * Provide administration support and ...

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Research Trainee information

See Chicago, IL salary details

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$22

$53

How much do research trainee jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for research trainee in Chicago, IL is $22.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.09 and $25.17 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research trainee?

Research trainees are individuals, often students or early-career professionals, who work under the guidance of experienced researchers to develop their skills and gain hands-on experience in conducting scientific or academic research. They assist with various aspects of research projects, such as data collection, analysis, literature reviews, and laboratory work. The goal is to provide practical training that prepares them for future independent research roles or advanced studies. Research traineeships are common in universities, research institutions, and some industries.

What are some common challenges research trainees face when transitioning from academic coursework to hands-on research projects?

Research Trainees often find the shift from structured academic learning to independent, hands-on research challenging. They may need to quickly learn new laboratory techniques, adapt to working with complex equipment, and manage their time between experiments, data analysis, and reporting results. Additionally, collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team and handling constructive feedback from supervisors can be demanding but are valuable for professional growth. Support from mentors and clear communication with team members can help trainees navigate these challenges successfully.

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

To thrive as a Research Trainee, you need a solid foundation in research methods, data analysis, and subject-specific knowledge, often supported by a relevant degree or ongoing enrollment in an academic program. Familiarity with statistical software (such as SPSS, R, or Python), laboratory equipment, and literature databases is typically required. Strong attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication skills help you excel in collaborative and independent research settings. These competencies ensure that research is conducted accurately and efficiently, contributing to credible and impactful results.

What is the difference between Research Trainee vs Research Assistant?

AspectResearch TraineeResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically enrolled in or recent graduate of a relevant degree programUsually holds a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratory, research centers, academic institutionsLaboratories, universities, research projects
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, universities, biotech companiesUniversities, research labs, healthcare organizations
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level research roles, training positionsClarifying responsibilities of research support roles

Research Trainee positions are often entry-level roles for students or recent graduates gaining research experience, while Research Assistants typically hold a degree and support ongoing research projects. Both roles are common in academic and research settings, but the Research Trainee is more focused on training and learning, whereas the Research Assistant has more defined responsibilities.

What jobs can I do if I like research?

If you like research, you can pursue roles such as research assistant, research analyst, data analyst, or laboratory technician. These jobs typically require strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and familiarity with research methods and tools like statistical software or laboratory equipment.

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Research Trainee job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,874 per year, or $22.5 per hour.

Clinical Research Project Manager

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • On-site

Other

Posted yesterday

New


University Of Chicago rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

171st of 631 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Clinical Research Manager

The job independently manages the collection, documentation, analysis of clinical trial data, and reporting of clinical research data. Provides input into the strategic, administrative, operational, and financial decisions that impact clinical research conducted across the University. The job includes management of and research participation in the Bionic Breast project and other research studies involving human subjects. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates. Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures. Writes articles, reports, and manuscripts. Assists in drafting presentations on research findings. This position draws heavily and about equally on intermediate to advanced quantitative, qualitative, and textual analysis skills applied in support of studies focused on women's health, aging, and the health of marginalized populations.

Responsibilities include:

  • Project management for high complexity clinical studies, including the scientific elements of study planning, monitoring, and execution of investigator-initiated research efforts and owning administrative tasks to ensure timely progress toward scientific milestones and deliverables.
  • Ensures project compliance with policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
  • Perform significant role in the design, development and implementation of quantitative and qualitative research studies, including grant writing, survey development, participant recruitment/enrollment/interviewing.
  • Recognize abnormal results and varying conditions or procedures to correct problems, set up and perform experiments. Analyze meaning, significance, causes, and effects of the subject.
  • Support compliant conduct, regulatory, and administrative activities. Stay current with and manage regulatory processes including IRB, FDA, NIH, HIPAA, CITI, clinicaltrials.gov, Florence portal.
  • Responsible for training and supervising research trainees, students and staff. Ensures trainees meet project milestones and ensures completion of trainees' research learning objectives.
  • Data collection, preparation, management, and analysis for both qualitative and quantitative analyses.
  • Prepare and lead presentations and manuscripts, including as first author and presenter, for the purposes of presentation at scientific meetings and publication in peer-reviewed literature.
  • Support compliant conduct, regulatory and administrative activities, including leading development and management of IRB protocols, by liaising with peer experts in these domains.
  • Independently tracks data collection progress, identifies deviations from projected accrual plans, directs solutions to correct course, collaborates with research operations lead to ensure data collection progresses on budget and on time.
  • Performs and supervises others in literature search, synthesis and citation management, ensuring best practices.
  • Accountable for all tasks in complex clinical studies.
  • Performs various professional, organizational, and operational tasks under limited supervision. Acts as a resource on clinical research and related aspects of clinical study for other clinical research staff. Accountable for complex problem solving on assigned clinical research studies and professional tasks.
  • Facilitates and participates in the daily activities of complex clinical studies and performs various activities including patient data retrieval, documenting clinical research records, and participation in program audits. Uses in-depth knowledge of clinical studies to coordinate the collection of analyzable clinical research data and/or samples with a high degree of independence.
  • Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in a related field and 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Preferred qualifications include a master's degree in a related field, five years of relevant research experience, and knowledge and experience related to women's sexual health and social drivers of health. Preferred competencies include excellent critical thinking/problem solving skills, strong analytic skills, expertise in epidemiology, social science, populations studies, clinical trials and/or community health, experience in NIH grant writing, manuscript writing and writing and implementing human subjects protocols, proven expert level proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and scientific search engines, demonstrated leadership, interpersonal and relationship building skills, demonstrated ability to work independently or in team in a fast-paced environment, excellent organization and verbal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to work effectively with people from many backgrounds, and ability to work with sensitive subject matter.


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