Research Assistant Jobs at Florida International University with Visa Sponsorship
Research Assistant jobs at Florida International University sit at the intersection of active academic research and practical immigration support. FIU has a consistent track record of sponsoring international researchers across multiple visa categories, making it a realistic target for candidates who need work authorization to build a U.S. research career.
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Florida International University is a Top 50, preeminent public research university with 55,000 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries, as well as an alumni network of more than 340,000. Located in the global city of Miami, the university offers more than 200 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, including medicine and law. FIU faculty are leaders in their fields and include National Academy members, Fulbright Scholars and MacArthur Genius Fellows. A Carnegie R1 institution, FIU drives impactful research in environmental resilience, health and technology and innovation. Home to the Wall of Wind and Institute of Environment, FIU stands at the forefront of discovery and innovation. With a focus on student success, economic mobility and community engagement, FIU is redefining what it means to be a public research university.
Job Information
Postdoctoral Researcher - Applied Robotics
The Applied Research Center is currently seeking a Post-Doctoral Fellow to join our team of professionals.
Job Summary
The Post-Doctoral Appointee Program is designed to recruit outstanding Ph.D. applicants to assist the principle investigator in completing their research objectives as related to the scope of work. The Ph.D. must have been conferred within one to five years prior to employment. This assignment is for a one-year period, it is grant funded, and this appointment may be renewed at management's discretion based on excellent work performance and funding availability.
Primary Job Duties
- Conduct independent and collaborative research in core robotics disciplines such as kinematics, dynamics, motion planning, and control.
- Design, develop, and test software architectures for robotic systems using Python and C++.
- Build and maintain robust simulation pipelines to validate algorithms prior to physical deployment.
- Prepare and submit original research manuscripts to leading peer-reviewed journals.
- Assist in the supervision and technical mentorship of graduate and undergraduate researchers within the laboratory.
- Perform other duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Required
- Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline.
- Demonstrated record of original research with mandatory publications in recognized peer-reviewed journals.
- Strong theoretical background in mathematics and applied physics.
- Advanced programming proficiency in C++.
- Extensive hands-on experience developing within the ROS2 ecosystem and embedded Linux.
- Proficiency in physics-based simulation environments, specifically NVIDIA Isaac Sim.
- Experience transitioning algorithms from simulation to physical hardware.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply to Job Opening ID 537318 at careers.fiu.edu and attach a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and statement of teaching philosophy as a single pdf file. Candidates will be requested to provide names and contact information for at least three references who will be contacted as determined by the Director. To receive full consideration, applications and required materials should be received by June 28, 2026. Review will continue until position is filled.
Applicants are encouraged to review Florida International University's immigration and visa requirements, if applicable, prior to applying:
https://hr.fiu.edu/employees-affiliates/working-at-fiu/immigration-process
Job Category
Faculty
Pre-Employment Requirements
Criminal Background Check
How To Apply
Current Employee
As a current employee, you must log into Employee Self Service (ESS) to apply for this and any other internal career opportunity of interest. In this account, you are able to track your applicant status in "My Applications".
To be considered eligible for the position as an internal candidate, departmental staff must meet minimum requirements of the position and be in good performance standing.
Before you begin the process, we recommend that you are prepared to attach electronic copies of your resume/ curriculum vitae, cover letter or any other documents within the application process. It is recommended that you combine your cover letter and resume into one attachment. Attached documents should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
How To Apply
Prospective Employee
If you have not created a registered account, you will be asked to create a username and password for use of the system. It is recommended that you provide an active/valid e-mail account as that will be the main source of communication regarding your status within the process. In this account, you are able to track your applicant status in "My Applications".
To be considered eligible for the position as an internal candidate, departmental staff must meet minimum requirements of the position and be in good performance standing.
Before you begin the process, we recommend that you are prepared to attach electronic copies of your resume, cover letter or any other documents within the application process. It is recommended that you combine your cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae into one attachment. Attached documents should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. All applicants are required to complete the online application including work history and educational details (if applicable), even when attaching a resume.
Disclosures
Clery Notice
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the University Police department at Florida International University provides information on crimes statistics, crime prevention, law enforcement, crime reporting, and other related issues for the past three (3) calendar years. The FIU Annual Security report is available online at: https://police.fiu.edu/download/annual-security-fire-safety-report/.
To obtain a paper copy of the report, please visit the FIU Police Department located at 885 SW 109th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33199 (PG5 Market Station).
Pay Transparency
Florida International University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
FIU is a State University System of Florida member, Equal Opportunity, Equal Access, and Affirmative Action Employer for individuals with disabilities and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment decisions, programs, and events without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination, contact FIU's Office of Civil Rights at 305.348.2785 or email ocr@fiu.edu.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in a University event, program, or activity or need to request materials in an accessible format, please contact FIU's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at 305-348-2785 or accommodations@fiu.edu. All requests for ADA accommodation or accessible materials for this event must be submitted to OCR at least seven (7) business days prior to the event or at the earliest possible opportunity.
About FIU
Florida International University is a Top 50, preeminent public research university with 55,000 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries, as well as an alumni network of more than 340,000. Located in the global city of Miami, the university offers more than 200 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, including medicine and law. FIU faculty are leaders in their fields and include National Academy members, Fulbright Scholars and MacArthur Genius Fellows. A Carnegie R1 institution, FIU drives impactful research in environmental resilience, health and technology and innovation. Home to the Wall of Wind and Institute of Environment, FIU stands at the forefront of discovery and innovation. With a focus on student success, economic mobility and community engagement, FIU is redefining what it means to be a public research university.
Job Information
Postdoctoral Researcher - Applied Robotics
The Applied Research Center is currently seeking a Post-Doctoral Fellow to join our team of professionals.
Job Summary
The Post-Doctoral Appointee Program is designed to recruit outstanding Ph.D. applicants to assist the principle investigator in completing their research objectives as related to the scope of work. The Ph.D. must have been conferred within one to five years prior to employment. This assignment is for a one-year period, it is grant funded, and this appointment may be renewed at management's discretion based on excellent work performance and funding availability.
Primary Job Duties
- Conduct independent and collaborative research in core robotics disciplines such as kinematics, dynamics, motion planning, and control.
- Design, develop, and test software architectures for robotic systems using Python and C++.
- Build and maintain robust simulation pipelines to validate algorithms prior to physical deployment.
- Prepare and submit original research manuscripts to leading peer-reviewed journals.
- Assist in the supervision and technical mentorship of graduate and undergraduate researchers within the laboratory.
- Perform other duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Required
- Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline.
- Demonstrated record of original research with mandatory publications in recognized peer-reviewed journals.
- Strong theoretical background in mathematics and applied physics.
- Advanced programming proficiency in C++.
- Extensive hands-on experience developing within the ROS2 ecosystem and embedded Linux.
- Proficiency in physics-based simulation environments, specifically NVIDIA Isaac Sim.
- Experience transitioning algorithms from simulation to physical hardware.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply to Job Opening ID 537318 at careers.fiu.edu and attach a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and statement of teaching philosophy as a single pdf file. Candidates will be requested to provide names and contact information for at least three references who will be contacted as determined by the Director. To receive full consideration, applications and required materials should be received by June 28, 2026. Review will continue until position is filled.
Applicants are encouraged to review Florida International University's immigration and visa requirements, if applicable, prior to applying:
https://hr.fiu.edu/employees-affiliates/working-at-fiu/immigration-process
Job Category
Faculty
Pre-Employment Requirements
Criminal Background Check
How To Apply
Current Employee
As a current employee, you must log into Employee Self Service (ESS) to apply for this and any other internal career opportunity of interest. In this account, you are able to track your applicant status in "My Applications".
To be considered eligible for the position as an internal candidate, departmental staff must meet minimum requirements of the position and be in good performance standing.
Before you begin the process, we recommend that you are prepared to attach electronic copies of your resume/ curriculum vitae, cover letter or any other documents within the application process. It is recommended that you combine your cover letter and resume into one attachment. Attached documents should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
How To Apply
Prospective Employee
If you have not created a registered account, you will be asked to create a username and password for use of the system. It is recommended that you provide an active/valid e-mail account as that will be the main source of communication regarding your status within the process. In this account, you are able to track your applicant status in "My Applications".
To be considered eligible for the position as an internal candidate, departmental staff must meet minimum requirements of the position and be in good performance standing.
Before you begin the process, we recommend that you are prepared to attach electronic copies of your resume, cover letter or any other documents within the application process. It is recommended that you combine your cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae into one attachment. Attached documents should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. All applicants are required to complete the online application including work history and educational details (if applicable), even when attaching a resume.
Disclosures
Clery Notice
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the University Police department at Florida International University provides information on crimes statistics, crime prevention, law enforcement, crime reporting, and other related issues for the past three (3) calendar years. The FIU Annual Security report is available online at: https://police.fiu.edu/download/annual-security-fire-safety-report/.
To obtain a paper copy of the report, please visit the FIU Police Department located at 885 SW 109th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33199 (PG5 Market Station).
Pay Transparency
Florida International University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
FIU is a State University System of Florida member, Equal Opportunity, Equal Access, and Affirmative Action Employer for individuals with disabilities and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment decisions, programs, and events without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination, contact FIU's Office of Civil Rights at 305.348.2785 or email ocr@fiu.edu.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in a University event, program, or activity or need to request materials in an accessible format, please contact FIU's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at 305-348-2785 or accommodations@fiu.edu. All requests for ADA accommodation or accessible materials for this event must be submitted to OCR at least seven (7) business days prior to the event or at the earliest possible opportunity.
Tips for Finding Research Assistant Jobs at Florida International University
Align Your Degree to Your Research Area
H-1B sponsorship at a university requires your degree field to directly match the research specialty. If you studied biomedical engineering but the posting is in environmental science, the specialty occupation case weakens, so target roles where your degree maps cleanly.
Identify Faculty Principal Investigators Early
Most Research Assistant positions at FIU originate with a faculty PI who controls lab funding. Connecting with the right professor before a formal posting appears puts you ahead of the applicant pool and signals genuine research alignment.
Use OPT Strategically During FIU Review
Universities move through internal HR approval before USCIS sees anything. Starting on OPT while FIU processes the H-1B petition internally is standard practice. Factor in that USCIS cap-subject H-1B petitions follow the October 1 start date, so timing your OPT end date matters.
Confirm TN Eligibility for Canadian and Mexican Applicants
If you hold Canadian or Mexican citizenship, TN status can cover certain research roles without lottery exposure. DOL's USMCA occupation list defines qualifying categories, and universities like FIU are experienced employers for TN filings.
Request a Formal Employment Verification Letter
Once FIU extends an offer, ask the hiring department for a letter confirming your title, duties, and degree requirement. USCIS scrutinizes specialty occupation evidence for research roles, and this letter becomes a core exhibit in your I-129 petition.
Browse Open Roles Through Migrate Mate
Research Assistant openings at FIU cycle frequently across departments and grant periods. Search Migrate Mate to filter active positions by visa sponsorship type so you're applying to roles where sponsorship is already confirmed rather than negotiating it after an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida International University sponsor H-1B visas for Research Assistants?
Yes, FIU sponsors H-1B visas for Research Assistant roles where the position qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. The university's international services office handles the I-129 petition process. Cap-subject applicants need to plan around the April lottery registration window and the October 1 fiscal year start date.
How do I apply for Research Assistant jobs at Florida International University?
Applications go through FIU's official careers portal, but many Research Assistant roles are filled through direct faculty connections before they're formally posted. Identify the department or lab aligned with your research background, reach out to the relevant PI, and follow up through the HR application system once a position is opened for you or publicly listed.
Which visa types are commonly used for Research Assistant roles at Florida International University?
FIU sponsors H-1B for long-term research hires and supports F-1 OPT and CPT for current students in qualifying programs. TN visa status is an option for Canadian and Mexican nationals in eligible research occupations under USMCA. For roles leading toward permanent residence, FIU has also pursued EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant visa sponsorship through the PERM labor certification process.
What qualifications does FIU look for in Research Assistant candidates who need visa sponsorship?
Most sponsored Research Assistant positions require at minimum a bachelor's degree in the specific field tied to the research project, since this is a USCIS requirement for H-1B specialty occupation classification. Graduate enrollment or a completed master's degree strengthens your profile significantly. Lab experience, familiarity with grant-funded research environments, and proficiency with discipline-specific tools or methodologies are consistently valued across FIU departments.
How long does the visa sponsorship process take for a Research Assistant position at FIU?
Internal HR and international services review at FIU typically takes several weeks before an H-1B petition reaches USCIS. Standard USCIS processing runs three to six months, though premium processing can reduce that to around 15 business days for an additional fee. If you're on OPT, factor in your authorization end date when evaluating whether the timeline works. Use Migrate Mate to find roles where sponsorship is already established, which can cut the internal approval phase significantly.