Midwestern University logo
Midwestern University
Downers Grove, Illinois

Assistant Professor- IL- Physician Assistant Studies

Physician AssistantFull-Time

Listed compensation

$110k-$125k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 26m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Assistant or Associate Professor, Tenure-Track, Physician Assistant Studies

Midwestern University’s College of Health Sciences, Downers Grove, Illinois, invites applications for the position of Assistant or Associate Professor, Physician Assistant Studies. The mission of the Midwestern University Physician Assistant (PA) Program is to develop competent, compassionate, and professional physician assistants who will make a positive impact on their patients, community, and the PA profession.

The MWU PA Program values the unique life experiences and perspectives each student contributes to our program. We believe cultural humility improves patient outcomes, and we are committed to ensuring our students are well-equipped to provide patient-centered care to all of the populations they may serve.

Health equity and education on health care disparities are integrated into the Program curriculum to prepare students to serve diverse populations and address the health care needs of all patients.

This faculty member is expected to demonstrate high standards in teaching excellence, clinical experiences, service, and research productivity. The position reports directly to the Program Director. This is a 12-month, full-time, tenure-track faculty appointment. Academic rank is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Responsibilities

  • Lecture in areas of expertise/interest/need within the PA curriculum.
  • Teach in small group settings to enhance students’ clinical reasoning and professional development.
  • Assist in the construction, grading, and analysis of assessments used to evaluate students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
  • Develop, organize, and implement curricula as a Course Director.
  • Assist in student advising and mentoring.
  • Develop and publish scholarly work that enhances knowledge in areas that are consistent with the needs of the Program and/or the Profession.
  • Serve on Program, College, and/or University committees to support various needs or projects within the University.

Requirements

  • Graduate-level degree in physician assistant studies. Doctoral degree in a related field preferred.
  • Current NCCPA certification and current or eligible for the Illinois PA license.
  • Experience in academia, clinical practice, and a record of scholarly activity are preferred
  • Demonstrated abilities in teaching, service, and mentorship.

Compensation

The salary is commensurate with experience. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

About Midwestern University

Midwestern University is an independent institution of higher education committed to the education of health care professionals.

The Illinois campus is located on a spacious 105-acre campus in Downers Grove, 25 miles west of Chicago, and is home to the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Pharmacy-Downers Grove Campus, College of Dental Medicine-Illinois, Chicago College of Optometry, and College of Health Sciences-Downers Grove Campus.

The PA program is housed in the College of Health Sciences along with Speech-Language Pathology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Behavioral Sciences.

Please submit your application packet through MWU's online job board at midwestern.edu. Your online application

should include:

  • Cover letter (upload as an attachment)
  • CV (upload as an attachment)

Please direct questions to Don Martinez, Jr., Program Director. dmarti2@midwestern.edu [dmarti2@midwestern.edu] 630-515-6034

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois, and the other in Glendale, Arizona.

More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech-language pathology, biomedical sciences, and veterinary medicine.

Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long-term disability and pet insurance. We offer flexible spending accounts, including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account.

We offer a work-life balance with a competitive time off package including paid holidays, sick/flex days, personal days, and vacation days. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection, and an employee assistance program.

Wellness is important to us, and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility.

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/). Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
5+ years of experience

Key Skills

Curriculum developmentAssessment designScholarly researchAcademic advising

Physician Assistant Career Context

Of the 50 active Physician Assistant listings this role was benchmarked against, 6% are remote, 72% have no call, 66% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$118k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $118k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

What does the Physician Assistant market look like in Illinois?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$110k–$125kPhysician Assistant median $128k (middle half $110k–$155k)35 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$118k in purchasing powerIllinois index 100.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Physician Assistant listings in Illinois148 active4,615 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 6% remote · 72% no call · 66% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Physician Assistant Jobs

50 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

50 jobs · 40 employers
14
<$140k
11
$140k-155k
13
$155k-170k
7
$170k-185k
5
$185k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

46 jobs · 40 employers
401k / retirement match
87% this job
CME allowance
70%
Sign-on bonus
43%
Loan repayment
22%
Relocation assistance
15%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Physiatry (PM&R) Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant

Iconic Care · Los Angeles, California

$175k-$205k
#2

Physician Assistant / Nurse Practitioner 4 Day Work Week

Confidential Employer · Urbana, Illinois

$100k-$200k
#3

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) / Physician Assistant (PA) – Mobile Primary Care

$185k-$195k
#4

Physician Assistant FLOAT

$165k-$190k
+ 48 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 1.5
Below most Physician Assistant roles listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 4,566 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Midwestern University logo

About Midwestern University

Medical Practices
Downers Grove, Illinois

Benefits & Perks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Life insurance
Short/long-term disability
Pet insurance
Flexible spending accounts
Paid holidays, sick/flex days, personal days, vacation days
403(b) retirement plan
Tuition reimbursement

Living in Downers Grove

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$487k≈ 4.4× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,248/mo≈ 25% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
28 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.