Top 10 Research Organizations Sponsoring J-1 Visas

Mihailo Bozic
Mihailo Bozic
Updated October 22, 2026 · 4 min read

The top 10 research organizations sponsoring J-1 visas include Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of Florida, and Texas A&M University, spanning national laboratories, public research universities, and science and education institutions across the United States. Migrate Mate is tracking 42 live J-1 jobs across these employers as of October 22, 2026, updated daily. For candidates in research and academic fields, J-1 sponsorship at these organizations means working under an exchange visitor program administered by a designated sponsor, with visa duration tied to program category rather than an annual lottery.

Which research organizations sponsor the most J-1 visas?

Ranked by live J-1 openings on Migrate Mate, updated daily

  1. 01
    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

    National LabEnergyScience

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has 15 live J-1 jobs on Migrate Mate, the most of any research organization on this list. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Data Science & Analytics. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy facility conducting research in energy science, computing, and physical sciences.

    Open roles by team

    • Science & Research38
    • Data Science & Analytics12
    • Software Engineering2
    • Chemical Engineering1
    • Engineering (Non-Software)1

    +1 roles across other teams

    Open roles at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory15 open
    Biologist Postdoctoral Fellow
    San Francisco Bay Area, California · On-site
    Apply
    Postdoctoral Researcher
    San Francisco Bay Area, California · On-site
    Apply
    Chemist Postdoctoral Scholar
    San Francisco Bay Area, California · On-site
    Apply
    Postdoctoral Scholar
    San Francisco Bay Area, California · On-site
    Apply
    Postdoctoral Fellowships
    San Francisco Bay Area, California · Hybrid
    Apply
    See all Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory J-1 jobs
  2. 02
    University of Florida

    University of Florida

    Higher EducationResearchScience

    University of Florida has 5 live J-1 jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Business Operations. The University of Florida is a major public research university with programs spanning health, engineering, agriculture, and social sciences.

    Open roles by team

    • Science & Research8
    • Business Operations2
    Open roles at University of Florida5 open
    Post-Doctoral Associate in High Energy Physics
    Gainesville, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    Postdoctoral Associate in Chemistry/Biology
    Gainesville, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    Post-Doctoral Associate
    Gainesville, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    Postdoctoral Associate
    Gainesville, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    Post-Doctoral Scholar
    Gainesville, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    See all University of Florida J-1 jobs
  3. 03
    Texas A&M University

    Texas A&M University

    Higher EducationScienceResearch

    Texas A&M University has 4 live J-1 jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Data Science & Analytics. Texas A&M University is a large public research university offering programs across science, engineering, agriculture, and the humanities.

    Open roles by team

    • Science & Research58
    • Data Science & Analytics3
    • Higher Education1
    • Teaching & Instruction1
    Open roles at Texas A&M University4 open
    Postdoctoral Research Associate
    College Station, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Research Associate
    College Station, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Postdoctoral Research Assistant
    College Station, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Visiting Assistant Professor
    College Station, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    See all Texas A&M University J-1 jobs
  4. Unlock every J-1 job from these sponsors

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  5. 04
    Honda Research Institute USA

    Honda Research Institute USA

    ResearchRoboticsEngineering

    Honda Research Institute USA has 3 live J-1 jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Data Science & Analytics. Honda Research Institute USA conducts fundamental research in artificial intelligence, robotics, and mobility technologies.

    Open roles by team

    • Science & Research25
    • Data Science & Analytics17
    • Software Engineering7
    • Engineering (Non-Software)7
    • Robotics Engineering4

    +7 roles across other teams

    Open roles at Honda Research Institute USA3 open
    Research Intern
    San Jose, California · On-site
    Apply
    Research Intern: Vehicle Dynamics and Simulation for Marine Robotics
    San Jose, California · On-site
    Apply
    Postdoctoral Researcher
    Columbus, Ohio · On-site
    Apply
    See all Honda Research Institute USA J-1 jobs
  6. 05
    Brookhaven National Laboratory

    Brookhaven National Laboratory

    National LabPhysicsScience

    Brookhaven National Laboratory has 3 live J-1 jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Data Science & Analytics. Brookhaven National Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy facility conducting research in physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science.

    Open roles by team

    • Science & Research17
    • Data Science & Analytics4
    • Software Engineering4
    • AI & Machine Learning4
    • Engineering (Non-Software)3

    +2 roles across other teams

    Open roles at Brookhaven National Laboratory3 open
    Postdoctoral Research Associate
    Upton, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Research Associate
    Upton, New York · On-site
    Apply
    PostDoc – Machine Learning
    Upton, New York · On-site
    Apply
    See all Brookhaven National Laboratory J-1 jobs
  7. Editor’s note

    How this list is ranked

    These employers are ranked by how many J-1 openings they have live on Migrate Mate right now, so the list reflects who is actively hiring for J-1 roles today rather than historical government filings. Openings change daily, so treat a high count as a strong current signal, and confirm the specific role and your eligibility before you apply.

  8. 06
    Old Dominion University

    Old Dominion University

    Higher EducationResearchEngineering

    Old Dominion University has 3 live J-1 jobs on Migrate Mate. Old Dominion University is a public research university offering programs in science, engineering, business, and the arts.

    Open roles by team

    • Science & Research7
    Open roles at Old Dominion University3 open
    Research Associate
    Norfolk, Virginia · On-site
    Apply
    Postdoctoral Researcher
    Norfolk, Virginia · On-site
    Apply
    Postdoctoral Research Associate
    Norfolk, Virginia · On-site
    Apply
    See all Old Dominion University J-1 jobs
  9. 07
    SUNY Upstate Medical University

    SUNY Upstate Medical University

    Medical ResearchScienceHigher Education

    SUNY Upstate Medical University has 3 live J-1 jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Healthcare Administration. SUNY Upstate Medical University is a public academic medical center in New York offering health sciences education and biomedical research.

    Open roles by team

    • Science & Research8
    • Healthcare Administration3
    • Allied Health2
    • Nursing1
    • Mental & Behavioral Health1
    Open roles at SUNY Upstate Medical University3 open
    Postdoctoral Associate
    Syracuse, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Clinical Research Associate 1
    Syracuse, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Clinical Research Associate I
    Syracuse, New York · On-site
    Apply
    See all SUNY Upstate Medical University J-1 jobs
  10. See J-1 jobs from all 10 sponsors and thousands more

    Find 97 J-1 jobs
  11. 08
    Argonne National Laboratory

    Argonne National Laboratory

    National LabEnergyEngineering

    Argonne National Laboratory has 2 live J-1 jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Data Science & Analytics. Argonne National Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy science and engineering research center focused on energy, environment, and national security.

    Open roles by team

    • Science & Research39
    • Data Science & Analytics4
    • Engineering (Non-Software)3
    • Software Engineering2
    • AI & Machine Learning2

    +2 roles across other teams

    Open roles at Argonne National Laboratory2 open
    Postdoctoral Appointee
    Lemont, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    Postdoctoral Researcher
    Lemont, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    See all Argonne National Laboratory J-1 jobs
  12. 09
    West Virginia University

    West Virginia University

    Higher EducationResearchEngineering

    West Virginia University has 2 live J-1 jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Office Management. West Virginia University is a public research university offering programs in health sciences, engineering, energy, and social sciences.

    Open roles by team

    • Science & Research8
    • Office Management1
    • Administrative & Office Support1
    Open roles at West Virginia University2 open
    Postdoctoral Researcher
    Morgantown, West Virginia · On-site
    Apply
    Office Support Intern
    Morgantown, West Virginia · Hybrid
    Apply
    See all West Virginia University J-1 jobs
  13. 10
    Texas Biomedical Research Institute

    Texas Biomedical Research Institute

    BiomedicalResearchScience

    Texas Biomedical Research Institute has 2 live J-1 jobs on Migrate Mate. Texas Biomedical Research Institute is an independent nonprofit conducting infectious disease and biomedical research.

    Open roles by team

    • Science & Research22
    Open roles at Texas Biomedical Research Institute2 open
    Postdoctoral Scientist
    San Antonio, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Research Associate
    San Antonio, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    See all Texas Biomedical Research Institute J-1 jobs

How the J-1 visa works

J-1 is an exchange visitor program run through a designated sponsor organization, not the employer directly. A sponsor issues Form DS-2019, and categories range from intern and trainee to research scholar and professor. Some J-1 holders face a two-year home-residency requirement afterward. Confirm which category fits and who the designated sponsor is before you commit.

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Research J-1 Sponsors: Frequently Asked Questions

Which research organizations sponsor the most J-1 visas?

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has the most, with 15 live J-1 jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by University of Florida (5) and Texas A&M University (4). Across the 10 research organizations on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 42 live J-1 jobs, updated daily.

Who qualifies for J-1 sponsorship?

J-1 visa eligibility depends on the program category. Research scholars and professors must have a degree and relevant professional experience in their field. Interns must be currently enrolled in or have recently graduated from a degree program. Trainees must have a degree plus one year of relevant experience, or five years of relevant work experience without a degree. All participants require a DS-2019 form issued by a designated sponsor organization, and the two-year home-country residency requirement may apply depending on funding source and field.

How much does J-1 sponsorship cost?

The employer pays the required government fees, not the candidate. Base fees run from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the employer and processing speed, plus legal costs. Recent policy changes have added significant fees for some filings and the amounts have been in flux, so check the current figure before you rely on it.

How do I get J-1 sponsorship from a top sponsor?

To get a J-1 through a research employer, you first secure a position with an organization that is either a designated J-1 sponsor or works with one. The employer or sponsor issues a DS-2019 form, which you use to apply for the J-1 visa at a U.S. consulate. You pay the SEVIS fee, schedule your consular interview, and present your DS-2019 along with supporting documents. The program duration depends on your category: intern programs run up to 12 months, trainee programs up to 18 months, and research scholar programs up to five years.