Research Jobs at Michigan State University with Visa Sponsorship
Michigan State University's research enterprise spans life sciences, social sciences, engineering, and public health, with faculty, postdoctoral, and staff researcher roles spread across dozens of colleges and institutes. MSU has a well-established international hiring process and actively supports researchers at all career stages through multiple visa pathways.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation: Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Position Summary
The Campbell lab studies the molecular mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The lab takes three distinct approaches, all of which use human cerebral organoids as a human model of early brain development. The first approach is to understand how genes with high confidence ASD mutations alter neurodevelopment. The second approach is to determine how common genetic variants with genome-wide significant association with ASD alter neurodevelopment. The third approach is to expose human cerebral organoids – with a variety of genetic backgrounds – to environmental factors that are associated with ASD risk. Collectively, these approaches will identify genetic and biochemical networks that can be targeted for therapeutics.
The funded project involves growth of human cerebral organoids, Nanopore direct RNA sequencing, and single cell RNA sequencing. The successful candidate will take a lead role in research projects, working independently to harvest human cerebral organoids for transcriptomic analyses.
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
Terminal - Biology or a related field
Minimum Requirements
The successful candidate must possess a PhD or equivalent in biology or a related field. They must also have documented experience with cerebral organoids, Nanopore direct RNA sequencing, and single cell RNA sequencing.
Desired Qualifications
Candidates with a record of continuous publication are preferred.
Required Application Materials
- Cover Letter
- CV
Review of Applications Begins On
04/30/2025
Summary of Health Risks
Exposure to human blood, serum, tissue and other body fluids; and materials covered under Universal Precautions.
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: Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Position Summary
The Campbell lab studies the molecular mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The lab takes three distinct approaches, all of which use human cerebral organoids as a human model of early brain development. The first approach is to understand how genes with high confidence ASD mutations alter neurodevelopment. The second approach is to determine how common genetic variants with genome-wide significant association with ASD alter neurodevelopment. The third approach is to expose human cerebral organoids – with a variety of genetic backgrounds – to environmental factors that are associated with ASD risk. Collectively, these approaches will identify genetic and biochemical networks that can be targeted for therapeutics.
The funded project involves growth of human cerebral organoids, Nanopore direct RNA sequencing, and single cell RNA sequencing. The successful candidate will take a lead role in research projects, working independently to harvest human cerebral organoids for transcriptomic analyses.
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
Terminal - Biology or a related field
Minimum Requirements
The successful candidate must possess a PhD or equivalent in biology or a related field. They must also have documented experience with cerebral organoids, Nanopore direct RNA sequencing, and single cell RNA sequencing.
Desired Qualifications
Candidates with a record of continuous publication are preferred.
Required Application Materials
- Cover Letter
- CV
Review of Applications Begins On
04/30/2025
Summary of Health Risks
Exposure to human blood, serum, tissue and other body fluids; and materials covered under Universal Precautions.
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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Research Jobs at Michigan State University Jobs
Align your CV to MSU grant cycles
MSU research positions are frequently tied to funded grants, so tailor your application materials to the lab's active funding areas. A CV that mirrors the grant's scope signals you can step into a billable role immediately.
Target departments with ongoing external funding
Search MSU's Research Office award announcements and NIH Reporter to identify departments actively receiving federal grants. Principal investigators with multi-year awards are far more likely to initiate visa sponsorship than those between funding cycles.
Clarify OPT cap-gap coverage before your start date
If you're on F-1 OPT and MSU files your H-1B before April 1, your cap-gap extension covers you through September 30. Confirm your OPT expiration date against that window with MSU's Office for International Students and Scholars before accepting an offer.
Ask the hiring PI about their H-1B filing history
Individual principal investigators at MSU often manage their own budget lines for visa filing fees. Ask directly whether the lab has sponsored international researchers before and who in the department coordinates with MSU Human Resources on H-1B petitions.
Use Migrate Mate to filter open MSU research roles by visa type
MSU posts research openings across multiple portals and they move quickly. Use Migrate Mate to surface current Research positions at MSU filtered by the visa sponsorship types you need, so you're applying to roles where sponsorship is already confirmed.
Request your PERM timeline in writing during offer negotiation
If you're pursuing a permanent research position, ask MSU's HR team during offer negotiation whether the role qualifies for PERM-based Green Card sponsorship. DOL requires a minimum 30-day domestic recruitment period before filing, so starting that conversation early protects your timeline.
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Find Research at Michigan State University JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does Michigan State University sponsor H-1B visas for Research roles?
Yes, Michigan State University sponsors H-1B visas for qualifying research positions. MSU is a cap-exempt institution, which means it can file H-1B petitions at any point during the year without waiting for the April lottery. This is a meaningful advantage for researchers who need to start quickly or whose OPT is running out outside the standard cap filing window.
How do I apply for Research jobs at Michigan State University?
MSU posts research openings through its central careers portal at careers.msu.edu, but many postdoctoral and grant-funded positions are also listed directly through individual department or lab websites. Migrate Mate aggregates current MSU research roles filtered by visa sponsorship type, which saves time if you need to confirm sponsorship eligibility before applying. Tailor your application to the lab's active research focus and funding area.
Which visa types does Michigan State University commonly use for Research positions?
MSU supports several visa categories for research staff and faculty, including H-1B, J-1, TN, and F-1 OPT and CPT. J-1 is frequently used for postdoctoral researchers and visiting scholars, while H-1B is standard for longer-term staff research roles. EB-2 and EB-3 Green Card sponsorship is available for permanent positions, typically initiated after the researcher has been in role for a period of time.
What qualifications are expected for Research roles at Michigan State University?
Requirements vary by role type. Postdoctoral positions require a completed PhD in a relevant field, often with a publication record aligned to the hiring lab's work. Staff research roles may require a master's degree plus demonstrated technical skills in areas like bioinformatics, wet lab methods, or statistical analysis. For H-1B eligibility, the position must qualify as a specialty occupation, meaning a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field is the standard minimum.
How long does the H-1B sponsorship process take at a cap-exempt institution like MSU?
Because MSU qualifies as a cap-exempt institution under USCIS rules, it can file H-1B petitions year-round without waiting for the October 1 cap lottery window. Standard processing at USCIS currently runs three to six months. Premium processing, which MSU or the researcher can request, reduces that to 15 business days. Factor in the time MSU's HR and Office for International Students and Scholars need to prepare the petition before USCIS filing.
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