Grainger Distinguished Postdoc Program

The Grainger College of Engineering seeks to hire postdoctoral researchers to work with faculty in one or more of its twelve academic departments and/or its numerous centers and interdisciplinary research units. The Postdoctoral Research Associate is a full-time, benefits-eligible position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The initial appointment is for one year with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Candidates must have obtained a Ph.D. degree in a relevant field within 10 years of the start date of the position. Current students must meet all doctoral degree requirements prior to the start date of the position; the formal degree-granting date may be later. The total length of all postdoctoral appointments at Illinois may not exceed five years.

Applicants will automatically be considered for selection into the Grainger Distinguished Postdoc program. This program focuses on career advancement through infrastructure that includes:

  1. A cohort model to increase representation and retention
  2. Professional development on writing competitive grant proposals, teaching effectively, and engaging in impactful community outreach activities
  3. Significant mentorship – both mentoring of the postdoc and the postdoc learning how to manage relationships and mentor graduate and undergraduate student researchers
  4. Regular community building activities to establish a vibrant interdisciplinary network of scholars that has a strong sense of belonging

How to Apply?

Please submit your application by April 15, 2023. Rolling applications will be accepted through June 30, 2023To apply, please submit your application: under the header “Postdoctoral Research Associate - 2023”. For questions, please email grainger-postdocapps@illinois.edu

  1. Contact information for three reference letter writers
  2. The following individual PDF documents

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process.

Submit your application

Department, Institute, and Center Postdoc Programs

Join the growing cohort of postdoctoral researchers in the department and participate in activities organized by Computer Science and the University of Illinois. These include cohort building and professional development activities, including weekly lunches for informal networking, research presentations, and regular discussions with faculty about professional skills and development, including job search, presentation skills, reviewing papers and proposals, paper and grant writing, and classroom teaching.

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The Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) invites applications for postdoctoral scholar positions in quantum science. IQUIST research addresses a wide variety of experimental and theoretical research topics spanned by UIUC's departments of physics, materials science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, mathematics, and chemistry. These topics include, but are not limited to, quantum information science, quantum many-body physics in condensed matter and atomic systems, applications of quantum information to high energy physics, topological states of matter, quantum optics and light-matter interactions at the quantum level, quantum cavity-optomechanics, quantum chemistry, and quantum metrology. IQUIST also has active visitor, seminar, and outreach programs.

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Eligibility/Requirements: 

  • Ph.D. degree or equivalent in a quantum-related field within the last five years
  • Relevance of the proposed research plan to the portfolio of IQUIST.

The Beckman Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship programs support outstanding scientists at the Beckman Institute. The programs offer a unique opportunity for selected scholars to engage in a three-year fellowship of interdisciplinary research at the Beckman Institute. Each year, four to six interdisciplinary scholars are sought in the broad research areas of neuroscience, bioimaging technologies, molecular science and engineering, and more.  

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Eligibility/Requirements:

PhD earned within the last ten years; research experience and proposal in a relevant area of research of the Beckman Institute; four letters of reference including two letters from future Beckman Institute collaborators. International scholars are welcome to apply.

The Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) Postdoctoral Fellowship provides funding for postdoctoral fellows within 1-3 years of their terminal degree for up to three years. The CCIL Postdoctoral Fellowship Program focuses on training postdoctoral fellows in bridging basic cancer sciences and engineering, thereby developing careers at the intersection of CCIL’s unique scientific themes. Postdoctoral fellows will participate in workshops such as cancer biology for engineers, -omics data analysis, and development and validation of preclinical cancer models. Participants will have a network of transdisciplinary mentors and will be encouraged to develop an NCI K99/R00 application. They will benefit from monthly consultation with CCIL Associate Director for Education.

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The Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a number of fellowships for truly exceptional young scholars who have completed their PhD within the last several years, and are looking for a stimulating and supportive interdisciplinary environment to carry out independent and collaborative research in the field of genomic biology. IGB Fellows will typically spend two to three years conducting research in one of several research themes in the institute, and ideally this research will also overlap with two or more of these thematic areas. 

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Eligibility/Requirements:

  • Satisfy the TOP faculty eligibility criteria established by Provost’s Communication No. 7.
  • Obtain their PhDs or other terminal degrees (e.g., MFAs, JDs) required for faculty positions in their fields before July 1, 2023.
  • Commit to full-time residence at the Urbana-Champaign campus during the academic year(s) covered by the Program award.

The Carle Foundation Hospital – Beckman Institute Postdoctoral Fellow will pursue cutting-edge translational biomedical research with faculty members from Carle Foundation Hospital and the Beckman Institute.

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Eligibility/Requirements:

  • Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D. within the last 10 years with specialization in neurocardiology, cognitive neuroscience, or a related field.
  • Prior experience with advanced analytical methods and at least one neuroimaging method (EEG/ERPs, fMRI, and/or optical imaging).

Individuals from underrepresented groups (all fields) and women (in STEM) who are promising candidates for campus faculty positions may be nominated for the Illinois Distinguished Postdoctoral and Visiting Scholar Program. Funding is available to support up to four post-doctoral research associate or visiting scholar positions that would enhance campus diversity. Candidates do not apply directly, but are nominated by academic units that wish to hire them. 

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Eligibility/Requirements:

  • Satisfy the TOP faculty eligibility criteria established by Provost’s Communication No. 7.
  • Obtain their PhDs or other terminal degrees (e.g., MFAs, JDs) required for faculty positions in their fields before July 1, 2023.
  • Commit to full-time residence at the Urbana-Champaign campus during the academic year(s) covered by the Program award.

Still have questions about Postdocs?

Please contact us at: 
grainger-postdocapps@illinois.edu

Learn about the Postdoc process