Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs at Michigan State University with Visa Sponsorship
Postdoctoral Researcher jobs at Michigan State University sit at the intersection of independent scholarship and collaborative research, spanning departments from engineering to life sciences. MSU has an established process for sponsoring international researchers, making it a realistic target for candidates on work visas or transitioning from F-1 OPT.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation: East Lansing, Michigan, United States
Area of Interest: Research/Scientific
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time (90-100%)
Group: Fixed Term Academic Staff
Faculty/Academic Staff
Opening on: Mar 17 2026
Closing at: Mar 17 2028 - 23:55 EDT
Salary: Commensurate with Experience
College Of Natural Science
Position Summary
Postdoctoral Research Associate – Neuroimmunology of Pain
A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Geoffroy Laumet in the Department of Physiology at Michigan State University. The Laumet Lab investigates neuro-immune interactions that regulate the transition from acute to chronic pain, with a particular focus on how immune cells interact with sensory neurons to promote pain resolution. The laboratory integrates preclinical models and human translational research approaches. As examples, please see Sim, Science Immunology 2026; de Souza, PAIN, 2025; de Souza, Brain Behav Imm, 2024; Inyang, PAIN, 2024.
Responsibilities include:
- Designing and conducting independent and collaborative research projects related to neuro-immune and pain mechanisms.
- Performing experiments using mouse models.
- Applying molecular, cellular, and immunological techniques, including flow cytometry, imaging, and genomic approaches (e.g., single-cell RNA-seq).
- Analyzing and interpreting experimental data and maintaining accurate research records.
- Preparing manuscripts for publication and contributing to grant applications.
- Presenting research findings at lab meetings, seminars, and scientific conferences.
- Assisting with training and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students in the laboratory.
The Laumet Lab offers a collaborative and supportive environment with strong mentorship and opportunities for career development.
This is a full-time off-date position funded for one year from date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal and satisfactory performance. The duties to be performed by this position require in-person presence in East Lansing, MI, and they are not compatible with remote work.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate - Neuroscience, immunology, physiology, or a related biomedical field.
Minimum Requirements
- Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent in neuroscience, immunology, physiology, or a related biomedical field.
- Demonstrated research productivity and strong written and verbal communication skills.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with mouse models, immunology, neurobiology, or pain research.
- Experience with advanced techniques such as flow cytometry, imaging, genomics, or bioinformatics.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
Required Application Materials
- Resume/CV
- A list of three to five professional references and their contact information
- Cover Letter
Special Instructions
The University will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, complete the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities contact form here.
Michigan State University is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty, and administrative staff.
Review of Applications Begins On
05/11/2026
Summary of Health Risks
Employees may work with or near human and/or animal blood and/or tissues; live animals; bio-hazardous chemicals and materials; viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens; radioactive materials; medical waste; and sharp implements.
Department Statement
The Department of Physiology and Division of Pathology Division have significant teaching and research missions. The position works with a global community of internationally recognized scholars from diverse nationalities, ethnicities, and backgrounds; two large undergraduate majors (Physiology and Neuroscience) with approximately 1,200 majors combined; the Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology (MCIP) graduate program, popularly combined with professional degrees (MD, DO, DVM); and vibrant research programs in areas such as cancer biology, cardiac pathophysiology, diabetes and obesity, gastrointestinal health and disease, immunity and tissue inflammation, musculoskeletal diseases, molecular metabolism and disease, and neuroscience. The discipline of physiology is uniquely positioned among the biomedical sciences to span the gulf between exploring the most fundamental aspects of biology and the most practical and applied problems of human and animal health. Faculty in the Physiology Department at Michigan State University work to understand how the vast array of molecular and cellular events successfully integrate to define the phenomenon of human existence.
The Physiology Department Mission:
- Identify factors and molecules that promote health and disease.
- Understand mechanisms of disease progression.
- Improve overall human and animal health through identification of novel therapeutic targets and treatments.
- Train future scientists in state-of-the-art physiology concepts & approaches.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
Location: East Lansing, Michigan, United States
Area of Interest: Research/Scientific
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time (90-100%)
Group: Fixed Term Academic Staff
Faculty/Academic Staff
Opening on: Mar 17 2026
Closing at: Mar 17 2028 - 23:55 EDT
Salary: Commensurate with Experience
College Of Natural Science
Position Summary
Postdoctoral Research Associate – Neuroimmunology of Pain
A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Geoffroy Laumet in the Department of Physiology at Michigan State University. The Laumet Lab investigates neuro-immune interactions that regulate the transition from acute to chronic pain, with a particular focus on how immune cells interact with sensory neurons to promote pain resolution. The laboratory integrates preclinical models and human translational research approaches. As examples, please see Sim, Science Immunology 2026; de Souza, PAIN, 2025; de Souza, Brain Behav Imm, 2024; Inyang, PAIN, 2024.
Responsibilities include:
- Designing and conducting independent and collaborative research projects related to neuro-immune and pain mechanisms.
- Performing experiments using mouse models.
- Applying molecular, cellular, and immunological techniques, including flow cytometry, imaging, and genomic approaches (e.g., single-cell RNA-seq).
- Analyzing and interpreting experimental data and maintaining accurate research records.
- Preparing manuscripts for publication and contributing to grant applications.
- Presenting research findings at lab meetings, seminars, and scientific conferences.
- Assisting with training and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students in the laboratory.
The Laumet Lab offers a collaborative and supportive environment with strong mentorship and opportunities for career development.
This is a full-time off-date position funded for one year from date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal and satisfactory performance. The duties to be performed by this position require in-person presence in East Lansing, MI, and they are not compatible with remote work.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate - Neuroscience, immunology, physiology, or a related biomedical field.
Minimum Requirements
- Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent in neuroscience, immunology, physiology, or a related biomedical field.
- Demonstrated research productivity and strong written and verbal communication skills.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with mouse models, immunology, neurobiology, or pain research.
- Experience with advanced techniques such as flow cytometry, imaging, genomics, or bioinformatics.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
Required Application Materials
- Resume/CV
- A list of three to five professional references and their contact information
- Cover Letter
Special Instructions
The University will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, complete the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities contact form here.
Michigan State University is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty, and administrative staff.
Review of Applications Begins On
05/11/2026
Summary of Health Risks
Employees may work with or near human and/or animal blood and/or tissues; live animals; bio-hazardous chemicals and materials; viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens; radioactive materials; medical waste; and sharp implements.
Department Statement
The Department of Physiology and Division of Pathology Division have significant teaching and research missions. The position works with a global community of internationally recognized scholars from diverse nationalities, ethnicities, and backgrounds; two large undergraduate majors (Physiology and Neuroscience) with approximately 1,200 majors combined; the Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology (MCIP) graduate program, popularly combined with professional degrees (MD, DO, DVM); and vibrant research programs in areas such as cancer biology, cardiac pathophysiology, diabetes and obesity, gastrointestinal health and disease, immunity and tissue inflammation, musculoskeletal diseases, molecular metabolism and disease, and neuroscience. The discipline of physiology is uniquely positioned among the biomedical sciences to span the gulf between exploring the most fundamental aspects of biology and the most practical and applied problems of human and animal health. Faculty in the Physiology Department at Michigan State University work to understand how the vast array of molecular and cellular events successfully integrate to define the phenomenon of human existence.
The Physiology Department Mission:
- Identify factors and molecules that promote health and disease.
- Understand mechanisms of disease progression.
- Improve overall human and animal health through identification of novel therapeutic targets and treatments.
- Train future scientists in state-of-the-art physiology concepts & approaches.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
Tips for Finding Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs at Michigan State University
Align your research focus with MSU departments
MSU hires postdocs across dozens of colleges, so targeting departments where your dissertation or prior research aligns directly will strengthen your application. Faculty-driven hiring means the principal investigator often initiates sponsorship, not a central HR team.
Secure certified degree equivalency documentation early
If your doctorate is from a non-U.S. institution, get a credential evaluation from a NACES-recognized evaluator before applying. MSU's international office and sponsoring PI will need this to confirm you meet the specialty occupation threshold for H-1B eligibility.
Understand how J-1 and H-1B sponsorship differ at research universities
MSU commonly uses J-1 Exchange Visitor status for postdocs through its DS-2019 process, which is faster than H-1B but carries a two-year home residency requirement for some nationalities. Confirm your J-1 waiver eligibility before defaulting to this path.
Initiate sponsorship conversations before your OPT expires
STEM OPT extensions give you up to 36 months of work authorization, but H-1B cap-subject filings must be submitted in April for an October 1 start. Missing that window while waiting for an offer can force a gap in employment status.
Browse open Postdoctoral Researcher roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter MSU postdoc openings by visa type so you can focus on roles where sponsorship is already part of the hiring plan, rather than negotiating it after an offer is extended.
Clarify PERM and Green Card timelines with your PI
Some MSU postdocs transition to permanent roles that require PERM labor certification through DOL. Ask your prospective PI early whether the lab has a history of supporting EB-2 or EB-3 filings, since this process can take two or more years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Michigan State University sponsor H-1B visas for Postdoctoral Researchers?
Yes, Michigan State University sponsors H-1B visas for Postdoctoral Researchers through its Office for International Students and Scholars. The process is typically initiated by the hiring department or principal investigator once an offer is extended. Because postdoc roles meet the specialty occupation requirement, H-1B eligibility is generally straightforward, though cap-subject filings follow USCIS's April registration window with an October 1 start date.
How do I apply for Postdoctoral Researcher jobs at Michigan State University?
Postdoctoral Researcher positions at MSU are posted through the university's careers portal and individual department or lab websites. Applications typically require a CV, cover letter, research statement, and references. You can also browse verified openings filtered by visa sponsorship on Migrate Mate, which helps you identify roles where international candidates are actively being considered before you apply.
Which visa types does Michigan State University commonly use for Postdoctoral Researchers?
MSU sponsors Postdoctoral Researchers on several visa types, including H-1B, J-1 visa, F-1 OPT (including STEM OPT extension), TN visa (for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying fields), and employment-based Green Cards through the EB-2 or EB-3 categories. J-1 visa is frequently used for short-term or externally funded postdocs, while H-1B is more common for longer-term or tenure-track-adjacent positions.
What qualifications does Michigan State University expect for Postdoctoral Researcher roles?
A completed doctoral degree in a relevant field is the baseline requirement for all postdoc positions at MSU. Most roles also expect a record of peer-reviewed publications, demonstrated expertise in a specific research methodology, and strong written communication skills for grant writing. Some positions require proficiency with particular lab techniques, software platforms, or datasets specific to the hiring department's active research projects.
How long does the visa sponsorship process take for a Postdoctoral Researcher at Michigan State University?
Timeline depends on the visa type. J-1 DS-2019 issuance through MSU typically takes three to six weeks once the offer is confirmed. H-1B cap-subject petitions follow USCIS's annual lottery cycle with a mandatory October 1 start, so timing your offer relative to the April registration window matters. Premium processing through USCIS can reduce H-1B adjudication time to 15 business days for an additional fee.