Research Jobs at Oakland University with Visa Sponsorship
Research jobs at Oakland University span academic, scientific, and institutional projects across a university environment that actively supports international talent. Oakland University works with multiple visa pathways to bring qualified researchers on board, making it a realistic target for international candidates pursuing sponsored research careers in higher education.
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Get Access To All JobsDirector of Prospect Management and Research
Department 7430 - University Advancement
Position Number 986400
Requisition No. S02792
Salary Range/Pay Rate $85,849 - $96,588 annually
Benefits of Working at Oakland University
Oakland University offers competitive salaries and an excellent benefit program including a comprehensive medical plan with low contribution amounts for our employees, dental and vision plans at no cost for our employees, generous paid time off plans, a generous University contribution to our 403(b) retirement plan, tuition assistance for our employees and dependents, free access to our Campus Recreation Center and workout facilities, and flexible work schedules and wellness programs. These are current benefit levels subject to future changes.
Employee Group/Grade AP Band S
Job Category Administrative-Professional
Work Schedule FT/Reg (40 hours)
Shift/Days
This is a full-time position.
First consideration will be given to those who apply by July 20, 2026.
Pay Schedule Month
Number of Hrs./Wk. 40
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in business, finance, communications, data analytics, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
- A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in prospect management, research, development, engagement or related field in a fundraising environment.
- Strong knowledge of prospect, portfolio, and moves management tactics and best practices.
- Strong understanding of portfolio health indicators, prospect churn, and related KPIs and metrics.
- Experience managing proposal/solicitation pipelines, prospect pools, or creating and updating informative proposals in relationship management system.
- Experience collaborating with gift officers and having prospect development and/or pipeline discussion.
- Experience or knowledge of research tools such as LexisNexis, WealthEngine, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, etc. or other wealth indicators and analysis that inform prospect recommendations.
- Experience with Blackbaud Fundraiser Performance Management or similar CRM and understanding of data structures and categorization.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to interpret financial, biographical and other related data sets to make analytical recommendations and conclusions, including data manipulation in excel and preparing executive level briefings and summaries.
- Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with others on a team.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Desired Qualifications
- Master’s Degree.
- Previous work experience in higher education fundraising environment.
- Demonstrated experience successfully managing fundraiser portfolios, move management systems, and donor pipelines.
- Ability to analyze complex data sets to identify high-potential prospects, segment constituents for targeted fundraising strategies, and predict donor behavior.
- Experience managing database wealth screenings and/or custom predictive modeling.
Position Purpose
The Director of Prospect Management & Research provides strategic leadership for University Advancement’s prospect management and research programs. The Director oversees the development and execution of prospect pipeline strategies, portfolio optimization, proposal management, and data-driven research to inform donor strategies for annual, major, and principal giving. This position will be responsible for data mining to provide effective and informed portfolio recommendations in collaboration with UA leadership, Directors of Philanthropy, Engagement, Donor Relations, Principal Gifts, and Campaign Management. Works closely with Information Services to ensure the systems, processes, data maintenance, and structure leads to an informative and accurate pipeline, portfolio analysis, and research recommendations. The director ensures robust prospect management and research processes and implements industry best practices to support the University’s mission and fundraising priorities. Will balance the art and science of prospect development best practices and translate information into prospect management actions.
Director of Prospect Management and Research
Department 7430 - University Advancement
Position Number 986400
Requisition No. S02792
Salary Range/Pay Rate $85,849 - $96,588 annually
Benefits of Working at Oakland University
Oakland University offers competitive salaries and an excellent benefit program including a comprehensive medical plan with low contribution amounts for our employees, dental and vision plans at no cost for our employees, generous paid time off plans, a generous University contribution to our 403(b) retirement plan, tuition assistance for our employees and dependents, free access to our Campus Recreation Center and workout facilities, and flexible work schedules and wellness programs. These are current benefit levels subject to future changes.
Employee Group/Grade AP Band S
Job Category Administrative-Professional
Work Schedule FT/Reg (40 hours)
Shift/Days
This is a full-time position.
First consideration will be given to those who apply by July 20, 2026.
Pay Schedule Month
Number of Hrs./Wk. 40
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in business, finance, communications, data analytics, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
- A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in prospect management, research, development, engagement or related field in a fundraising environment.
- Strong knowledge of prospect, portfolio, and moves management tactics and best practices.
- Strong understanding of portfolio health indicators, prospect churn, and related KPIs and metrics.
- Experience managing proposal/solicitation pipelines, prospect pools, or creating and updating informative proposals in relationship management system.
- Experience collaborating with gift officers and having prospect development and/or pipeline discussion.
- Experience or knowledge of research tools such as LexisNexis, WealthEngine, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, etc. or other wealth indicators and analysis that inform prospect recommendations.
- Experience with Blackbaud Fundraiser Performance Management or similar CRM and understanding of data structures and categorization.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to interpret financial, biographical and other related data sets to make analytical recommendations and conclusions, including data manipulation in excel and preparing executive level briefings and summaries.
- Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with others on a team.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Desired Qualifications
- Master’s Degree.
- Previous work experience in higher education fundraising environment.
- Demonstrated experience successfully managing fundraiser portfolios, move management systems, and donor pipelines.
- Ability to analyze complex data sets to identify high-potential prospects, segment constituents for targeted fundraising strategies, and predict donor behavior.
- Experience managing database wealth screenings and/or custom predictive modeling.
Position Purpose
The Director of Prospect Management & Research provides strategic leadership for University Advancement’s prospect management and research programs. The Director oversees the development and execution of prospect pipeline strategies, portfolio optimization, proposal management, and data-driven research to inform donor strategies for annual, major, and principal giving. This position will be responsible for data mining to provide effective and informed portfolio recommendations in collaboration with UA leadership, Directors of Philanthropy, Engagement, Donor Relations, Principal Gifts, and Campaign Management. Works closely with Information Services to ensure the systems, processes, data maintenance, and structure leads to an informative and accurate pipeline, portfolio analysis, and research recommendations. The director ensures robust prospect management and research processes and implements industry best practices to support the University’s mission and fundraising priorities. Will balance the art and science of prospect development best practices and translate information into prospect management actions.
Tips for Finding Research Jobs at Oakland University
Align your credentials to U.S. specialty occupation standards
Research roles at universities must meet USCIS specialty occupation criteria, meaning your degree field needs to directly match the position. A mismatch between your discipline and the posted role is a common H-1B denial trigger, so verify alignment before applying.
Target grant-funded research postings specifically
At universities like Oakland, research positions tied to external grants or departmental funding cycles are most likely to move quickly through hiring and sponsorship. Look for postings that reference specific projects or principal investigators rather than open-ended pools.
Start the conversation about sponsorship before the offer stage
Many research candidates wait until an offer to raise visa needs, but Oakland University's HR and sponsored programs offices typically need lead time to initiate LCA filing with DOL. Raising your status early prevents delays that can cost you the position.
Use Migrate Mate to filter verified Research openings at Oakland University
Not every research posting will clearly state sponsorship availability. Use Migrate Mate to browse current Research roles at Oakland University that are filtered for international candidates, saving you time on positions that won't move forward.
Understand how OPT and CPT connect to longer-term sponsorship
If you're transitioning from F-1 OPT into a Research role, confirm with Oakland's international office whether your role qualifies for STEM OPT extension. This buys additional time for an H-1B petition if the annual lottery falls in the October cap cycle.
Prepare your PERM documentation before the offer if EB-2 is the goal
If your research expertise qualifies for EB-2 and your employer intends to sponsor permanent residency, the PERM labor certification process through DOL requires detailed documentation of your credentials and prior recruitment efforts. Organizing transcripts, publications, and experience records early avoids bottlenecks once the process begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Oakland University sponsor H-1B visas for Researchs?
Yes, Oakland University sponsors H-1B visas for qualifying Research positions. As a higher education institution, Oakland University is a cap-exempt employer, meaning H-1B petitions can be filed at any time of year without waiting for the annual lottery. This is a significant advantage for research candidates compared to private-sector employers subject to the April cap season.
How do I apply for Research jobs at Oakland University?
Applications are submitted through Oakland University's official careers portal, where Research roles are listed by department and project. Review each posting carefully for degree and experience requirements, then tailor your application to the specific research area. You can also use Migrate Mate to find current Research openings at Oakland University filtered for international candidates who need visa sponsorship.
Which visa types are commonly used for Research roles at Oakland University?
Oakland University sponsors H-1B, TN visa, F-1 OPT, F-1 CPT, EB-2, and EB-3 visas for Research positions. H-1B is most common for full-time hires. TN visa is available to Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying research disciplines. F-1 OPT and CPT support students transitioning into research roles, and EB-2 or EB-3 pathways support permanent residency for long-term researchers.
What qualifications are expected for Research roles at Oakland University?
Most Research positions require at minimum a master's degree in a relevant field, with many senior or specialized roles requiring a Ph.D. Prior publication history, laboratory or methodological experience, and familiarity with grant-funded research environments are commonly expected. The specific degree field must directly align with the research area to support a successful visa petition under USCIS specialty occupation standards.
How do I get a sense of the sponsorship timeline for a Research role at Oakland University?
Because Oakland University is cap-exempt for H-1B, the petition can be filed any time after an offer is made, with USCIS standard processing taking several months. If you're on F-1 OPT, confirm your OPT end date against the likely H-1B approval timeline early. For PERM-based green card sponsorship, the DOL process alone typically takes a year or more, so aligning expectations with your hiring department at offer stage is essential.