Research Associate Jobs at Northeastern University with Visa Sponsorship
Northeastern University hires Research Associates across its colleges and research centers, supporting faculty-led projects in fields from biomedical sciences to public policy. The university has an established international hiring process and regularly sponsors work visas for qualified researchers at this level.
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Job Summary
The DeLTA Lab, led by Professor Alberto de la Torre, studies how light can be used to control and engineer new phases of matter in quantum materials and has an opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The position is funded by Professor de la Torre’s National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER award, “Engineering order in frustrated quantum materials via strong light-matter coupling.”
The postdoctoral researcher will design and fabricate photonic cavities for strong light-matter coupling at infrared (IR) and terahertz (THz) frequencies and develop on-chip ultrafast transport platforms. Both platforms will be integrated with exfoliated flakes and thin films of frustrated quantum materials and characterized with the lab’s time-resolved optical, THz, and second-harmonic-generation spectroscopies, including a 7 T, 1.5 K optical cryostat fitted with radio frequency (RF) leads.
The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with collaborators in the College of Engineering, fabricate devices in the Kostas cleanroom, and help mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers, including co-op researchers. The appointment is for one year and is renewable for a second year contingent on satisfactory performance and continued funding.
Minimum Qualifications
Required
- PhD or foreign equivalent in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field, completed by the start date
- Knowledge of electromagnetic and photonic device design, micro- and nanofabrication, and optical or electrical characterization of materials, as normally acquired through a PhD in the field
- Ability to design, fabricate, and test optical cavities and/or high-frequency electronic devices
- Ability to perform electromagnetic simulations, such as finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) or finite-element methods
- Ability to independently plan experiments, analyze data, and communicate results in peer-reviewed publications
Preferred
- Hands-on experience with cleanroom nanofabrication, such as lithography, thin-film deposition, and etching
- Experience designing photonic, THz, or microwave cavities
- Experience with ultrafast optics, THz or on-chip picosecond electronics, superconducting devices, or cryogenic measurements
Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities
- Photonic Cavity Design and Fabrication (30%): Design, simulate, and fabricate photonic cavities, including IR/mid-IR distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) microcavities and quartz/vacuum THz cavities, resonant with collective excitations of target quantum materials using FDTD and inverse-design methods. Integrate exfoliated flakes and thin films into the cavities and characterize the cavity response and light-matter coupling with optical and THz spectroscopy
- On-Chip Ultrafast Transport Platforms (30%): Design and fabricate on-chip ultrafast transport platforms based on photoconductive Auston switches and coplanar waveguides. Perform device processing at the Kostas cleanroom, including lithography, deposition, etching, and wire bonding
- Device Testing and Measurement (20%): Test and benchmark the devices using time-resolved optical and electrical measurements, including pump-probe photoconductive sampling, THz time-domain spectroscopy, and second-harmonic generation, at room temperature and in the 7 T, 1.5 K optical cryostat. Use these platforms to measure light-induced changes in the transport and optical properties of frustrated quantum materials
- Research Communication (10%): Analyze data, prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, present results at group meetings and international conferences, including the American Physical Society (APS) March Meeting and the Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO), and contribute to project reports and proposals
- Mentoring and Laboratory Practices (10%): Mentor and train graduate, undergraduate, and co-op researchers in device design, cleanroom fabrication, and ultrafast measurement techniques, and help maintain safe laboratory and cleanroom practices. The position carries no formal teaching duties
Required Documents
- Resume
Position Type
Research
Additional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Compensation Grade/Pay Type:
108S
Expected Hiring Range:
$60,315.00 - $85,192.50
With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.
About the Opportunity
Job Summary
The DeLTA Lab, led by Professor Alberto de la Torre, studies how light can be used to control and engineer new phases of matter in quantum materials and has an opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The position is funded by Professor de la Torre’s National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER award, “Engineering order in frustrated quantum materials via strong light-matter coupling.”
The postdoctoral researcher will design and fabricate photonic cavities for strong light-matter coupling at infrared (IR) and terahertz (THz) frequencies and develop on-chip ultrafast transport platforms. Both platforms will be integrated with exfoliated flakes and thin films of frustrated quantum materials and characterized with the lab’s time-resolved optical, THz, and second-harmonic-generation spectroscopies, including a 7 T, 1.5 K optical cryostat fitted with radio frequency (RF) leads.
The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with collaborators in the College of Engineering, fabricate devices in the Kostas cleanroom, and help mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers, including co-op researchers. The appointment is for one year and is renewable for a second year contingent on satisfactory performance and continued funding.
Minimum Qualifications
Required
- PhD or foreign equivalent in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field, completed by the start date
- Knowledge of electromagnetic and photonic device design, micro- and nanofabrication, and optical or electrical characterization of materials, as normally acquired through a PhD in the field
- Ability to design, fabricate, and test optical cavities and/or high-frequency electronic devices
- Ability to perform electromagnetic simulations, such as finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) or finite-element methods
- Ability to independently plan experiments, analyze data, and communicate results in peer-reviewed publications
Preferred
- Hands-on experience with cleanroom nanofabrication, such as lithography, thin-film deposition, and etching
- Experience designing photonic, THz, or microwave cavities
- Experience with ultrafast optics, THz or on-chip picosecond electronics, superconducting devices, or cryogenic measurements
Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities
- Photonic Cavity Design and Fabrication (30%): Design, simulate, and fabricate photonic cavities, including IR/mid-IR distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) microcavities and quartz/vacuum THz cavities, resonant with collective excitations of target quantum materials using FDTD and inverse-design methods. Integrate exfoliated flakes and thin films into the cavities and characterize the cavity response and light-matter coupling with optical and THz spectroscopy
- On-Chip Ultrafast Transport Platforms (30%): Design and fabricate on-chip ultrafast transport platforms based on photoconductive Auston switches and coplanar waveguides. Perform device processing at the Kostas cleanroom, including lithography, deposition, etching, and wire bonding
- Device Testing and Measurement (20%): Test and benchmark the devices using time-resolved optical and electrical measurements, including pump-probe photoconductive sampling, THz time-domain spectroscopy, and second-harmonic generation, at room temperature and in the 7 T, 1.5 K optical cryostat. Use these platforms to measure light-induced changes in the transport and optical properties of frustrated quantum materials
- Research Communication (10%): Analyze data, prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, present results at group meetings and international conferences, including the American Physical Society (APS) March Meeting and the Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO), and contribute to project reports and proposals
- Mentoring and Laboratory Practices (10%): Mentor and train graduate, undergraduate, and co-op researchers in device design, cleanroom fabrication, and ultrafast measurement techniques, and help maintain safe laboratory and cleanroom practices. The position carries no formal teaching duties
Required Documents
- Resume
Position Type
Research
Additional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Compensation Grade/Pay Type:
108S
Expected Hiring Range:
$60,315.00 - $85,192.50
With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.
See all Research Associate Jobs at Northeastern University
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research Associate Jobs at Northeastern University.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Research Associate Jobs at Northeastern University
Align your credentials to specialty occupation standards
Northeastern's Research Associate roles typically require a master's or doctoral degree in a specific field tied directly to the research area. Before applying, confirm your degree discipline maps clearly to the posted role's requirements, not just broadly to STEM.
Target postings linked to funded research grants
Positions funded by external grants, such as NIH or NSF awards, are more likely to move quickly through hiring and sponsorship. Look for postings that reference a specific project, lab, or principal investigator, as these roles often have pre-approved funding for international hires.
Clarify sponsorship eligibility before your final interview
Northeastern's HR and sponsored programs offices handle visa filings separately from hiring managers. Ask directly during the offer stage which visa category the university intends to file, since some Research Associate positions are structured as J-1 exchange appointments rather than H-1B petitions.
Understand the cap-exempt H-1B advantage at Northeastern
As a nonprofit research university, Northeastern qualifies as a cap-exempt H-1B employer. This means you're not subject to the annual H-1B lottery and filings can be submitted at any time of year, which significantly changes your planning timeline.
Prepare OPT and CPT documentation for F-1 transitions
If you're currently on F-1 status, confirm with Northeastern's international student office whether the role qualifies for CPT or OPT authorization before your start date. USCIS requires that OPT employment be directly related to your degree field, which must match the research scope.
Use Migrate Mate to filter Research Associate roles by visa type
Northeastern posts Research Associate openings across multiple platforms, making it hard to identify which roles actively support sponsorship. Use Migrate Mate to filter Northeastern's open positions by visa category so you're only applying to roles that match your authorization needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Northeastern University sponsor H-1B visas for Research Associates?
Yes. Northeastern University is a cap-exempt H-1B visa employer, meaning it can file H-1B petitions year-round without being subject to the annual lottery. Research Associate roles that qualify as specialty occupations, typically requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field directly related to the position, are eligible for H-1B sponsorship. The university's Office of Global Services manages these filings.
How do I apply for Research Associate jobs at Northeastern University?
Applications are submitted through Northeastern's careers portal, where each posting lists the required qualifications and contact for the hiring department. Research Associate roles are often tied to specific labs or colleges, so tailoring your application to the stated research focus improves your chances. You can also use Migrate Mate to browse Northeastern's open Research Associate positions filtered by visa sponsorship type before applying directly.
Which visa types does Northeastern University commonly use for Research Associates?
Northeastern sponsors H-1B and J-1 visas most frequently for Research Associates, along with TN visa status for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying roles. F-1 OPT and CPT are available for current students and recent graduates. For longer-term or tenure-track adjacent positions, the university has also supported EB-2 and EB-3 Green Card sponsorship, though this varies by department and funding structure.
What qualifications are expected for Research Associate roles at Northeastern University?
Most Research Associate positions require at minimum a master's degree, with many competitive roles expecting a completed doctorate, particularly in STEM, social sciences, or health sciences. Hands-on laboratory or field research experience is typically expected alongside the degree. For H-1B eligibility, USCIS requires that the degree field directly correspond to the duties of the role, so a general science degree supporting a highly specialized position can create complications.
How long does the sponsorship process take for a Research Associate at Northeastern?
Because Northeastern is cap-exempt, H-1B petitions can be filed at any point rather than waiting for the April lottery window. Standard USCIS processing for a cap-exempt H-1B petition runs roughly three to six months. Premium processing, which Northeastern may elect to use in time-sensitive cases, reduces USCIS adjudication to 15 business days. Factor in time for the Labor Condition Application with DOL before the H-1B petition can be filed.