OPPORTUNITY. INNOVATION. HOME.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, simply put, is an extraordinary place to work and live.
Founded in 1867, Illinois is a world-class leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. Our campus consists of 350+ main buildings across 2,295 acres, housing 15 colleges and instructional units. Our high-quality academic programs, excellent faculty, high-achieving students, and state-of-the-art facilities have earned Illinois a reputation among the best in the nation.
Why Choose Illinois?
By now, you may have already discovered what an outstanding place Illinois is to explore your scholarly interests and build your career. The opportunities are endless.
Illinois is more than a great career opportunity; once you’re here, you’ll find a vibrant, innovative, diverse community that just may surprise you.
The university is centrally located in Champaign and Urbana—twin, micro-urban cities that combine to form a community rich in arts and culture, balanced with a robust tech ecosystem.
In Champaign-Urbana, you’ll find bigger-city amenities, with the ease and affordability of a smaller community. From dining options to outdoor activities and more, C-U offers a unique lifestyle that you can easily call home. Located in east-central Illinois, C-U is also conveniently situated between Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis.
We Value You at Illinois
At Illinois, we value you, your career development and your wellbeing. Here, you will find a collaborative and supportive community that is committed to:
Interdisciplinary Discovery
At Illinois, we do more than talk about cross-campus collaboration, we set the standard for interdisciplinary research that addresses global challenges. Currently, ten campuswide research institutes transcend college, school and departmental boundaries to elevate ideas, drive discovery and push the limits of our knowledge.
Diversity & Inclusion
Our campus strives to be an increasingly diverse and inclusive community that is open and welcoming for all. We do this by leading and fostering collaborations that substantively increase inclusivity in all areas of university life, and by facilitating access to our university’s knowledge and resources through synergies that benefit both the local community and the state. For more information about the university’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, please see diversity.illinois.edu.
Wellness
Illinois cares about the wellbeing of our community. Across campus, we provide supportive, judgment-free, and collaborative solutions specific to individuals and groups. From mental health resources to fitness or nutrition needs, our wellness website is a great resource to help you find support.
Innovation
From the Siebel Center for Design, the hub of our campuswide network of design thinking, making and learning, to our first-of-its-kind engineering-based Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Illinois’ culture of innovation is improving the future of our society.
It’s All in the Details
Below you will find information and helpful links for some of the biggest questions you might have related to employment at Illinois, including resources for faculty support and development.
Faculty-Focused Resources
Living in Champaign-Urbana
Residents often say Champaign-Urbana offers the best of many worlds with an internationally diverse population, exciting entertainment scene, and strong technology base. You’ll find easy commutes with an average 14-minute commute time, a designated bike-friendly community and an award-winning mass transit system (free with campus ID). And in three hours or less, you could be in Chicago, St. Louis or Indianapolis, and have access to daily flights to Chicago and Dallas/Ft. Worth..
The Chambana Welcome Crew is waiting to introduce you to the community as well. Meet some of the Welcome Crew Ambassadors, who can answer questions and share their C-U experiences.
Here are some C-U highlights to explore:
Diversity
56,000+ students from all 50 states and 100+ countries, with over 30 languages spoken in our public school systems.
Choose from many local eateries, bakeries, breweries, and wineries; ethnic restaurants; farmers markets; summer street festivals; coffee and tea shops; pubs, and more in our award-winning culinary scene. A farmers market 5 out of 7 days of the week in the area also guarantees access to fresh, local ingredients.
Explore our free museums like Krannert Art Museum, the second-largest fine arts museum in the state; or see one of over 300 performances at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts; immerse yourself in Japanese culture at the Japan House; peruse multiple art galleries and cultural spaces; as well as diverse houses of worship and multicultural media outlets; discover our rich local art scene during the Boneyard Arts Festival; enjoy nationally recognized public libraries; lively LGBTQ+ community with an annual Pride Festival; and live music 365 days of the year.
100% of the homes in Champaign-Urbana are within a ½ mile distance of a community park. Beyond our park system, experience the Master Gardener’s Idea Garden and the campus Arboretum; seven forest preserves with hiking, kayaking, birding, camping and more; botanical gardens and art-filled outdoor spaces; access to bike paths; aquatic centers; golf courses; country clubs; and more.
Healthcare
Find access to world-class healthcare options at Carle Health, Christie Clinic and OSF HealthCare.
Onboarding & Integration
We are committed to supporting your professional growth and success. Explore more resources for you and your family:
Reach out to the Director of Faculty Recruitment for further questions.