Research Jobs at Michigan State University with Visa Sponsorship
Research jobs at Michigan State University span 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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The College of Nursing at Michigan State University is seeking a highly motivated individual for a Research Assistant position to work as a member of the Food-Body-Mind Intervention.
This position manages all 16-week (around Nov to Mar) intervention related activities for a large-scale, federally funded research study. The Research Assistant will assist in hiring, training, and supervising intervention personnel; scheduling and planning intervention events and team meetings; and communicating effectively with all project staff and partners. The role works closely with the Principal Investigator, Project Manager, and other key collaborators to meet study objectives and abide by all applicable regulations. They will also assist the Project Manager on research activities during the non-intervention time.
Position Responsibilities (% time devoted to each duty)
- Coordinate with intervention daycare teachers on implementing the child program at each daycare classroom. Provide training to daycare teachers on implementing the child program. Will also be responsible for intervention materials, including but not limited to inventory. Provide clarification and assist with problem solving as necessary.
- Monitor the study website to promote positive post(s) each week among intervention parents. Coordinate the hosting of virtual group parent meetings. Consistently keep project trackers updated with intervention participation information.
- Schedule and facilitate process evaluation meetings and evaluation interviews with participants.
- Inform the Project Manager and Principal Investigator of the day-to-day intervention activities, when any problems arise, and when clarification or deviations from protocol are needed.
- Account for and manage all intervention data according to the study’s Data Safety and Monitoring Plan. Assist key staff with preparation and analysis of all intervention data.
- Assist the Project Manager and Principal Investigator on various research activities during the non-intervention time (April – Oct).
- Assist in preparing and editing reports, articles, and manuscripts for publication. Perform relevant literature reviews as necessary.
This is an off-dated position funded for one year from date of hire, with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.
Minimum Requirements
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in research employment or other related science fields; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in standard laboratory procedures and safety requirements and performing analytical and research techniques in an area related to research being performed; may require software specific to the area of research; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications
Outstanding judgment, initiative, and attention to detail; superior interpersonal skills and verbal and written communication skills; strong organization and problem-solving skills.
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 Application Materials
Resume, Cover Letter, three (3) professional references
Work Hours
STANDARD 8-5
Description of End Date
This is a limited term position funded for one year from date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.
Remote Work Statement
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
Location
East Lansing, Michigan, United States
Area of Interest
- Education/Training
- Research/Scientific
Full Time/Part Time
Full Time (90-100%)
Opening on
Jul 1 2026
Closing at
Jul 28 2026 - 23:55 EDT
Salary
Salary Commensurate with Experience
The Bidding Eligibility ends on 07/07/2026 at 11: 55 PM
Position Summary
The College of Nursing at Michigan State University is seeking a highly motivated individual for a Research Assistant position to work as a member of the Food-Body-Mind Intervention.
This position manages all 16-week (around Nov to Mar) intervention related activities for a large-scale, federally funded research study. The Research Assistant will assist in hiring, training, and supervising intervention personnel; scheduling and planning intervention events and team meetings; and communicating effectively with all project staff and partners. The role works closely with the Principal Investigator, Project Manager, and other key collaborators to meet study objectives and abide by all applicable regulations. They will also assist the Project Manager on research activities during the non-intervention time.
Position Responsibilities (% time devoted to each duty)
- Coordinate with intervention daycare teachers on implementing the child program at each daycare classroom. Provide training to daycare teachers on implementing the child program. Will also be responsible for intervention materials, including but not limited to inventory. Provide clarification and assist with problem solving as necessary.
- Monitor the study website to promote positive post(s) each week among intervention parents. Coordinate the hosting of virtual group parent meetings. Consistently keep project trackers updated with intervention participation information.
- Schedule and facilitate process evaluation meetings and evaluation interviews with participants.
- Inform the Project Manager and Principal Investigator of the day-to-day intervention activities, when any problems arise, and when clarification or deviations from protocol are needed.
- Account for and manage all intervention data according to the study’s Data Safety and Monitoring Plan. Assist key staff with preparation and analysis of all intervention data.
- Assist the Project Manager and Principal Investigator on various research activities during the non-intervention time (April – Oct).
- Assist in preparing and editing reports, articles, and manuscripts for publication. Perform relevant literature reviews as necessary.
This is an off-dated position funded for one year from date of hire, with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.
Minimum Requirements
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in research employment or other related science fields; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in standard laboratory procedures and safety requirements and performing analytical and research techniques in an area related to research being performed; may require software specific to the area of research; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications
Outstanding judgment, initiative, and attention to detail; superior interpersonal skills and verbal and written communication skills; strong organization and problem-solving skills.
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 Application Materials
Resume, Cover Letter, three (3) professional references
Work Hours
STANDARD 8-5
Description of End Date
This is a limited term position funded for one year from date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.
Remote Work Statement
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
Location
East Lansing, Michigan, United States
Area of Interest
- Education/Training
- Research/Scientific
Full Time/Part Time
Full Time (90-100%)
Opening on
Jul 1 2026
Closing at
Jul 28 2026 - 23:55 EDT
Salary
Salary Commensurate with Experience
The Bidding Eligibility ends on 07/07/2026 at 11: 55 PM
Tips for Finding Research Jobs at Michigan State University
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.
Frequently 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 visa, TN visa, and F-1 OPT and CPT. J-1 visa 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.