Research Associate Jobs at Michigan State University with Visa Sponsorship
Research Associate jobs at Michigan State University span a wide range of disciplines, from life sciences and engineering to social science and education research. MSU has a well-established international hiring pipeline and actively supports visa sponsorship for qualified researchers at this level.
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The Dickson, Feig, Vermaas, Wei, Woldring laboratories together form Team Green, a collaborative research effort funded by DARPA to predict protein structural ensembles, ligand binding affinities, and protein functions through existing bioinformatics approaches and an extensive simulation campaign. To support these efforts, Team Green is looking for up to 4 qualified postdoctoral research associates to apply molecular simulation and mathematical methods to extend and develop these predictive tools into a broadly usable pipeline. Drs. Wei and Woldring will expect candidates with research experience and record in machine learning and deep learning modeling of biomolecular systems, structural and/or sequence bioinformatics. Research backgrounds in computational biophysics or mathematical AI are welcome.
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 - Biophysics, Biochemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Within the labs, we have our own unique strengths and requirements, but here are the minimum ones:
- A publication record commensurate with career stage and field
- Relevant prior research experience. This may be developing related AI/ML methods or implementing, or running simulations at scale, depending on the group.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Day to day, the expectation will depend on the research group a successful candidate is associated with. Drs. Dickson, Feig, and Vermaas will expect that the researcher has prior experience with a programming language such as python and Unix-based operating systems such as MacOS or Linux. These tools are essential to set up, carry out, and analyze molecular simulation trajectories, and to interact with high performance computing environments needed to run those trajectories. Thus, previous experience with these tools is beneficial but not essential:
- Python libraries like Numpy, Scipy, Pandas, Pytorch, or Matplotlib
- A programmable molecular viewer such as VMD
- Simulation engines such as NAMD, CHARMM, OpenMM, AMBER, or GROMACS
- Basic familiarity with the linux terminal
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS
To best evaluate candidates, please provide a list of three recommenders so that the team can reach out when you advance to that stage.
REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS BEGINS ON
12/01/2025
WEBSITE
https://prl.natsci.msu.edu/
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.
Position Summary
The Dickson, Feig, Vermaas, Wei, Woldring laboratories together form Team Green, a collaborative research effort funded by DARPA to predict protein structural ensembles, ligand binding affinities, and protein functions through existing bioinformatics approaches and an extensive simulation campaign. To support these efforts, Team Green is looking for up to 4 qualified postdoctoral research associates to apply molecular simulation and mathematical methods to extend and develop these predictive tools into a broadly usable pipeline. Drs. Wei and Woldring will expect candidates with research experience and record in machine learning and deep learning modeling of biomolecular systems, structural and/or sequence bioinformatics. Research backgrounds in computational biophysics or mathematical AI are welcome.
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 - Biophysics, Biochemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Within the labs, we have our own unique strengths and requirements, but here are the minimum ones:
- A publication record commensurate with career stage and field
- Relevant prior research experience. This may be developing related AI/ML methods or implementing, or running simulations at scale, depending on the group.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Day to day, the expectation will depend on the research group a successful candidate is associated with. Drs. Dickson, Feig, and Vermaas will expect that the researcher has prior experience with a programming language such as python and Unix-based operating systems such as MacOS or Linux. These tools are essential to set up, carry out, and analyze molecular simulation trajectories, and to interact with high performance computing environments needed to run those trajectories. Thus, previous experience with these tools is beneficial but not essential:
- Python libraries like Numpy, Scipy, Pandas, Pytorch, or Matplotlib
- A programmable molecular viewer such as VMD
- Simulation engines such as NAMD, CHARMM, OpenMM, AMBER, or GROMACS
- Basic familiarity with the linux terminal
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS
To best evaluate candidates, please provide a list of three recommenders so that the team can reach out when you advance to that stage.
REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS BEGINS ON
12/01/2025
WEBSITE
https://prl.natsci.msu.edu/
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 Research Associate Jobs at Michigan State University
Align your credentials to MSU's research priorities
MSU hires Research Associates into active grant-funded labs and institutes. Review current faculty research profiles and funded projects in your field to target departments where your background directly supports ongoing work, not just general openings.
Clarify your OPT or CPT timeline early
If you're on F-1 status, confirm whether your OPT end date gives MSU enough runway to file an H-1B before your authorization lapses. A cap-subject H-1B requires USCIS lottery selection in April, so timing your offer around that window matters.
Ask HR which unit handles your petition
MSU processes sponsored positions through its Office for International Students and Scholars. Confirm early whether your sponsoring department or a central HR unit owns the H-1B or PERM filing, as this affects how quickly paperwork moves after your offer.
Understand how PERM affects Research Associate roles
For EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship, MSU must complete a DOL PERM labor certification. Research Associate positions with highly specific requirements tend to move through PERM more smoothly than broadly defined roles, so the job description wording in your offer letter matters.
Search MSU openings filtered by sponsorship eligibility
Use Migrate Mate to browse Research Associate positions at Michigan State University filtered by visa type, so you're applying to roles where sponsorship is already confirmed rather than discovering eligibility constraints after an interview.
Request a J-1 timeline if H-1B isn't immediately available
MSU sponsors J-1 Research Scholar status for postdoctoral and research-level appointments. If you're between OPT and an H-1B filing window, a J-1 can bridge the gap, though you'll need to check whether the two-year home residency requirement applies to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Michigan State University sponsor H-1B visas for Research Associates?
Yes, Michigan State University sponsors H-1B visas for Research Associate positions. MSU's Office for International Students and Scholars manages the petition process on behalf of hiring departments. Because most Research Associate roles are subject to the annual H-1B cap, your offer timing relative to the USCIS lottery cycle in April directly affects when you can begin work under H-1B status.
Which visa types are commonly used for Research Associate roles at Michigan State University?
Research Associates at MSU are commonly sponsored on H-1B, J-1 visa, and F-1 OPT or CPT, depending on career stage and nationality. TN visa status is an option for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying research occupations. For longer-term positions, MSU also supports EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through the DOL PERM process for eligible roles.
What qualifications or experience are expected for Research Associate roles at Michigan State University?
Most Research Associate positions at MSU require at minimum a master's degree, and many specify a completed Ph.D. in a relevant discipline. Practical lab skills, data analysis competencies, or field-specific technical experience are frequently required rather than preferred. Roles tied to externally funded grants often specify the exact methodology or equipment experience the hiring faculty member needs for active project work.
How do I apply for Research Associate jobs at Michigan State University?
Applications for Research Associate positions at MSU are submitted through the university's official careers portal. To find roles where visa sponsorship is already confirmed before you apply, Migrate Mate lets you filter MSU Research Associate openings by visa type. Most postings request a CV, cover letter, and contact information for references, with shortlisted candidates typically moving to a video or in-person interview with the hiring faculty member.
How do I plan my timeline if I need MSU to file an H-1B for a Research Associate role?
H-1B cap-subject petitions must be filed with USCIS in early April for an October 1 start date, meaning you need a signed offer letter by late March at the latest. If you're finishing a degree or expiring OPT, work backward from that April deadline when negotiating your start date. MSU can also request premium processing from USCIS to get a faster decision if your department needs certainty on approval before committing resources.