Innovation & Industry Relations Specialist

Hiring Department: OVCR, Innovation & Industry Relations

Location: Chicago, IL

Requisition : 1042292

Posting Close Date: October 23, 2026

Salary: The budgeted salary range for the position is $90,000 -$105,000. The final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints.

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.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The Innovation & Industry Relations Specialist supports the development and management of strategic partnerships that advance the university's research, innovation and engagement priorities. Reporting to the Director of Innovation & Industry Relations within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR), this position serves as a key relationship manager connecting faculty, research centers and university leadership with industry, government, nonprofit and community partners.

The Innovation & Industry Relations Specialist helps facilitate collaborative research opportunities, supports innovation and commercialization initiatives and contributes to activities that enhance the university's external engagement and research impact. This role requires the ability to work effectively across academic and external environments, manage multiple stakeholder relationships and support initiatives related to sponsored research, industry collaboration and innovation ecosystems.

If you are energized by building relationships, connecting ideas and people, navigating complex organizations and helping create opportunities that may not have existed before, this is an opportunity to make your mark within a major urban R1 research university.

• Develop and maintain productive relationships with industry, government, nonprofit and community stakeholders aligned with university research priorities.
• Serve as a point of contact for external organizations seeking engagement with university researchers, centers and institutional capabilities.
• Assist in identifying and advancing opportunities for sponsored research, strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives.
• Facilitate communication and coordination between faculty and external partners to support research and innovation activities.

• Support initiatives related to innovation, commercialization, entrepreneurship and…