Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Visa Sponsorship Jobs USA
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a nonprofit research institute in St. Louis focused on plant science for food security and sustainability. It has a consistent track record of sponsoring work visas for research talent, making it a credible option for international scientists and researchers pursuing U.S. opportunities.
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INTRODUCTION
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is hiring an experienced full-time Grant Specialist. This position works at the nexus of science and finance at the Center by providing pre-award and post-award grant support to several scientific Principal Investigators (PIs). It is vital to the success of the Center’s scientific community.
The Grant Specialist role is a service-oriented position that requires the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and juggle competing priorities while maintaining positive and collaborative relationships. The successful candidate will build a partnership with their PIs to manage a financial portfolio made up of multiple projects from a variety of funding sources.
For more information about Danforth Center and our work, visit our Danforth webpage.
Responsibilities:
Pre-Award (35%)
- Review grant RFPs/FOAs and create checklists for proposal submission
- Communicate internal proposal deadlines to the proposal team, including subaward organizations, and manage the proposal process to ensure deadlines are met
- Update personnel documents (Biographical Sketch, Current & Pending Other Support, Collaborators & Affiliations) and review with the PI
- Provide appropriate proposal document templates to the PI and assist with updating them to meet solicitation requirements
- Review proposal documents against formatting and content requirements and coordinate updates with the PI
- Work with the PI to create the proposal budget and write the budget justification; ensure the budget meets solicitation requirements
- Input proposal record into InfoEd for internal review by Finance and scientific leadership
- Communicate with internal and external co-PIs throughout the proposal process to ensure subaward documents are obtained for both internal review and proposal submission
Post-Award (60%)
- Track funding sources (grants, subawards, start-up, industry) and assist PI or Core Facility Director with managing their portfolio by creating monthly budget and projection reports; provide guidance during decision-making
- Process invoices for payment, including subaward invoices
- Review subaward agreements and track subaward expenditures/reporting; work with appropriate subaward contact to resolve issues
- Identify, prepare, and submit expenditures requiring cost transfer, budget adjustments, and salary allocation changes
- Assist the PI with annual/progress reports
- Perform project close-out activities in concert with Finance
- Assist with capital equipment orders by coordinating with Finance, ensuring necessary internal codes are created, equipment ordered, and Finance is notified to begin capitalization
- Communicate and coordinate with the Finance Department on items/issues that arise during project execution to ensure internal policies and federal/sponsor guidelines are met
Overall (5%)
- Suggest process improvements with management and share with the team
- Support systems implementations by participating in requirements gathering meetings and performing testing
- Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Pre- and post-award grants management/research administration experience with exposure to various federal agencies (NSF, DOE, USDA, NIH)
- Demonstrated budgeting, financial, analytical, critical thinking, project management, and problem-solving skills
- The ability to meet deadlines and build positive relationships with internal and external collaborators
- Experience with grant management lifecycle, grant submissions, grant budgeting, writing budget justifications, and project financial management (tracking performance to budget, identifying necessary adjustments, etc.)
- Solid proficiency in Excel (understanding/creating complex formulas, VLOOKUP, pivot tables, utilizing complex workbooks, etc.). Proficiency with Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Ability to organize, multitask, manage time efficiently, prioritize responsibilities appropriately, be proactive, and work both independently and collaboratively while demonstrating professionalism and respect
- Strict attention to detail
- Knowledge of the Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards, especially cost allowability is preferred
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining collaborative and professional relationships
- Possess a service-oriented mindset, be eager to share knowledge, and be willing to identify and lead process improvement initiatives
- Actively contributes to a positive work environment
- Experience with Research.gov, Grants.gov, and InfoEd is desirable
- Live the Danforth Center values: Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity & Respect, Environmental Sustainability, and Stewardship
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3-5 years’ experience of pre- and post-award grants management/research administration experience or relevant experience
SUBMISSION:
- Cover letter clearly describing research interest and career goals
- CV
- Contact information for three (3) professional references
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Visa Sponsorship Jobs USA
Target research and postdoctoral roles first
Sponsorship at the Danforth Center is concentrated in scientific research positions, think plant biology, genomics, and computational biology. Focus your applications on research scientist, postdoc, and staff scientist roles where H-1B sponsorship is most commonly extended.
Understand the nonprofit advantage for H-1B
As a nonprofit research institution, the Danforth Center is cap-exempt for H-1B purposes. That means hiring can happen year-round without waiting for the annual lottery, a significant advantage over for-profit employers operating under the H-1B cap.
Leverage OPT and CPT to build your profile
The Danforth Center sponsors F-1 OPT and CPT, making it accessible during your degree or immediately after. Use an internship or OPT position to establish yourself internally, many research institutions convert high-performing OPT workers to H-1B sponsorship.
Highlight domain-specific expertise in your application
The Center values deep specialization in plant science subfields. Tailor your CV to emphasize relevant publications, lab techniques, and research outcomes in areas like crop improvement, phenomics, or plant-microbe interactions, generic research credentials are less competitive here.
Time your outreach around grant cycles
Nonprofit research centers often hire when new grants are awarded. Monitoring federal funding announcements in plant and agricultural science can signal when the Danforth Center is likely expanding headcount and actively sponsoring new positions.
Browse verified sponsoring employers before applying
Confirming a sponsor's track record before investing time in an application matters. Migrate Mate surfaces verified sponsors so you can filter by real sponsorship history and find open roles at research institutions like the Danforth Center that have consistently supported international hires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Donald Danforth Plant Science Center sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center sponsors H-1B visas and has a consistent track record of doing so for research roles. Importantly, as a nonprofit research institution, it is cap-exempt, meaning it can file H-1B petitions year-round without needing to go through the annual lottery that limits most for-profit employers.
What visa types does Donald Danforth Plant Science Center sponsor?
The Danforth Center sponsors H-1B visas for specialty occupation roles in scientific research, as well as F-1 OPT and F-1 CPT for students and recent graduates. TN visas are also sponsored, making the Center accessible to Canadian and Mexican nationals working in qualifying science and research occupations.
Which roles at Donald Danforth Plant Science Center are most likely to receive visa sponsorship?
Sponsorship is most common in core research positions, research scientists, postdoctoral associates, staff scientists, and bioinformatics specialists. These roles align directly with the Center's plant science mission and typically require the kind of specialized advanced degrees that support H-1B specialty occupation eligibility. Administrative and operational roles are less frequently sponsored.
How do I find open visa-sponsored jobs at Donald Danforth Plant Science Center?
Migrate Mate lists open roles at employers with verified sponsorship histories, including the Danforth Center. Searching there lets you filter for positions where sponsorship is a realistic expectation rather than guessing from a generic job board. You can also check the Center's own careers page directly for current postings in plant science and research.
How do I approach the application process as an international candidate at Donald Danforth Plant Science Center?
Lead with your research credentials, publications, lab skills, and domain expertise in plant science carry the most weight. Mention your visa status early so hiring managers can plan accordingly. Because the Center is cap-exempt for H-1B, timeline flexibility is greater than at most employers, but it's still worth initiating sponsorship conversations before an offer is formally extended.