Job Description

Grad Hourly - Innovation

Hiring Department Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research

Location Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID 1041896

Posting Close Date 7/20/2026

Salary: The hourly rate for this position is $31.03.

This position is not eligible for benefits.

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) seeks a Graduate Hourly to coordinate the I-Corps at UIC program and other innovation-related initiatives.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Identify and recruit strong faculty and student teams for innovation programs, such as NSF I-Corps at UIC by conducting outreach and delivering presentations to educate campus stakeholders
• Coordinate logistics for innovation programs, including workshops, internal funding mechanisms, and others
• Track innovation team applications, engagement, and progress
• Provide administrative support and assist with innovation ecosystem initiatives
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a graduate program in the UIC College of Business, College of Engineering, or another relevant graduate program in a STEM field.
• Interest in entrepreneurship, commercialization, innovation, or startups
• Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate excellent written and interpersonal communications skills; are able to organize, prioritize and coordinate multiple tasks to meet strict weekly deadlines, and are able to work independently

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference will be given to candidates with experience in reading and analyzing funding opportunity solicitations from a variety of sponsors, including federal agencies and foundations
• First year graduate students preferred

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, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.