Research Jobs at University of Florida with Visa Sponsorship
University of Florida's research enterprise spans biomedical sciences, engineering, agriculture, and social sciences, with international researchers playing a central role across departments and institutes. UF has an established international services office that routinely handles visa sponsorship for research faculty, postdocs, and staff scientists.
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JOB NO:
539671
WORK TYPE:
Non-Tenure-Track Faculty
LOCATION:
Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
CATEGORIES:
Biology/Life Science
DEPARTMENT:
29060000 - MD-MOLECULAR GENTCS - MICROBIO
CLASSIFICATION TITLE:
Research Assistant Professor
CLASSIFICATION MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
PhD in Biosciences, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or related field
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida (UF) College of Medicine invite applications for a non-tenure-track position at the rank Research Assistant Professor.
Our faculty includes some of the brightest and most innovative scholars spanning the virology and genetics disciplines. The Department continues a major expansion of the faculty as part of a 5-year strategic plan. We invite you to learn more about us by visiting https://mgm.ufl.edu/ and https://epi.ufl.edu/. We are seeking an outstanding and creative investigator.
Collaborate closely with laboratory personnel to design and implement experiments that characterize biological traits and integrate results with bioinformatics analyses.
Design and develop bioinformatics pipelines that leverage short- and long-read sequencing technologies to deliver high-quality genome assemblies for collaborators’ evolutionary and ecology projects conducted in the Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) space that manages the Hugh-Jones collection.
Maintain comprehensive records, including laboratory entry logs, digital research notebooks, working stock inventories (refrigerators/incubators), and long-term Select Agent records (using FreezerPro).
Required expertise: State-of-the-art expertise in long-read sequencing technologies and associated bioinformatics pipelines, including proficiency with GPU-enabled Oxford Nanopore software. Demonstrated success generating genome assemblies from Illumina short-read platforms (e.g., NextSeq and/or NovaSeq). Critical to the role is proven expertise in recovering bacteria from environmental samples, including species identification and characterization, and the ability to link environmental conditions to bacterial presence and pathogen emergence.
In addition to working with archival strains and low-passage strains recovered from environmental samples, this position will interact with UF Health Shands Hospital, the neighboring VA hospital, and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Leveraging expertise in bacterial characterization and genomics, this role will provide diagnostic expertise and assess the emergence or re-emergence potential of zoonotic pathogens encountered. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience working in or with hospital or clinical laboratories as part of prior research.
EXPECTED SALARY:
Annual salary range is $78,000 - $115,000 and is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
PhD in Biosciences, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or related field
PREFERRED:
A bacteriologist with extensive experience using current bioinformatics approaches to characterize bacterial genomes, with an emphasis on linking genomic traits to spatial and ecological patterns of pathogen persistence, emergence, and outbreak intensity.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:
All applicants MUST apply online through Careers at UF.
Applications received by May 7, 2026 will receive full consideration. Pre-/post-submission inquiries should be directed to Dr. Stephanie Karst (skarst@ufl.edu) or Dr. David Bloom (dbloom@ufl.edu). If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.
In order to be considered, you must upload references, cover letter, CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and contact information for three references.
A Criminal Background check is required, and this is not a remote work position. It is located on the University of Florida main campus in Gainesville, FL.
If selected as one of the final candidates, three letters of recommendation must be provided.
Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) http://naces.org/.
We Offer Exceptional Benefits:
- Low-cost State Health Plans: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Generous Retirement Options to secure your future
- Comprehensive Paid Time Off Packages: (includes over 10 paid holidays, as well as paid family, sick and vacation leave)
- Exceptional Personal and Professional Development Opportunities: Access to UF Training & Organizational Development programs, leadership development, LinkedIn Learning, and more
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer
To learn more about Gainesville and the surrounding areas, please visit the Guide to Greater Gainesville, which shares information about our neighborhoods, schools, zoning, culture, leisure, and more at https://guidetogreatergainesville.com/.
Gainesville is a vibrant city with a low cost of living, diverse population, excellent public schools, Division I NCAA sports, and no state income tax. The area is known for its nature parks, bike trails, sporting events, museums, mild winters, and warm summers. Being centrally located, Gainesville is easily situated for a day trip to beautiful beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as to theme parks like Disney World. Other nearby cities include Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa. Learn more about what Gainesville has to offer at https://www.visitgainesville.com/.
To learn more about the University of Florida (UF), please visit https://www.ufl.edu/.
If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.
Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (EDT) of the posting end date.
HEALTH ASSESSMENT REQUIRED: Yes
ADVERTISED:
23 Apr 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:
07 May 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

JOB NO:
539671
WORK TYPE:
Non-Tenure-Track Faculty
LOCATION:
Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
CATEGORIES:
Biology/Life Science
DEPARTMENT:
29060000 - MD-MOLECULAR GENTCS - MICROBIO
CLASSIFICATION TITLE:
Research Assistant Professor
CLASSIFICATION MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
PhD in Biosciences, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or related field
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida (UF) College of Medicine invite applications for a non-tenure-track position at the rank Research Assistant Professor.
Our faculty includes some of the brightest and most innovative scholars spanning the virology and genetics disciplines. The Department continues a major expansion of the faculty as part of a 5-year strategic plan. We invite you to learn more about us by visiting https://mgm.ufl.edu/ and https://epi.ufl.edu/. We are seeking an outstanding and creative investigator.
Collaborate closely with laboratory personnel to design and implement experiments that characterize biological traits and integrate results with bioinformatics analyses.
Design and develop bioinformatics pipelines that leverage short- and long-read sequencing technologies to deliver high-quality genome assemblies for collaborators’ evolutionary and ecology projects conducted in the Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) space that manages the Hugh-Jones collection.
Maintain comprehensive records, including laboratory entry logs, digital research notebooks, working stock inventories (refrigerators/incubators), and long-term Select Agent records (using FreezerPro).
Required expertise: State-of-the-art expertise in long-read sequencing technologies and associated bioinformatics pipelines, including proficiency with GPU-enabled Oxford Nanopore software. Demonstrated success generating genome assemblies from Illumina short-read platforms (e.g., NextSeq and/or NovaSeq). Critical to the role is proven expertise in recovering bacteria from environmental samples, including species identification and characterization, and the ability to link environmental conditions to bacterial presence and pathogen emergence.
In addition to working with archival strains and low-passage strains recovered from environmental samples, this position will interact with UF Health Shands Hospital, the neighboring VA hospital, and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Leveraging expertise in bacterial characterization and genomics, this role will provide diagnostic expertise and assess the emergence or re-emergence potential of zoonotic pathogens encountered. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience working in or with hospital or clinical laboratories as part of prior research.
EXPECTED SALARY:
Annual salary range is $78,000 - $115,000 and is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
PhD in Biosciences, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or related field
PREFERRED:
A bacteriologist with extensive experience using current bioinformatics approaches to characterize bacterial genomes, with an emphasis on linking genomic traits to spatial and ecological patterns of pathogen persistence, emergence, and outbreak intensity.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:
All applicants MUST apply online through Careers at UF.
Applications received by May 7, 2026 will receive full consideration. Pre-/post-submission inquiries should be directed to Dr. Stephanie Karst (skarst@ufl.edu) or Dr. David Bloom (dbloom@ufl.edu). If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.
In order to be considered, you must upload references, cover letter, CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and contact information for three references.
A Criminal Background check is required, and this is not a remote work position. It is located on the University of Florida main campus in Gainesville, FL.
If selected as one of the final candidates, three letters of recommendation must be provided.
Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) http://naces.org/.
We Offer Exceptional Benefits:
- Low-cost State Health Plans: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Generous Retirement Options to secure your future
- Comprehensive Paid Time Off Packages: (includes over 10 paid holidays, as well as paid family, sick and vacation leave)
- Exceptional Personal and Professional Development Opportunities: Access to UF Training & Organizational Development programs, leadership development, LinkedIn Learning, and more
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer
To learn more about Gainesville and the surrounding areas, please visit the Guide to Greater Gainesville, which shares information about our neighborhoods, schools, zoning, culture, leisure, and more at https://guidetogreatergainesville.com/.
Gainesville is a vibrant city with a low cost of living, diverse population, excellent public schools, Division I NCAA sports, and no state income tax. The area is known for its nature parks, bike trails, sporting events, museums, mild winters, and warm summers. Being centrally located, Gainesville is easily situated for a day trip to beautiful beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as to theme parks like Disney World. Other nearby cities include Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa. Learn more about what Gainesville has to offer at https://www.visitgainesville.com/.
To learn more about the University of Florida (UF), please visit https://www.ufl.edu/.
If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.
Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (EDT) of the posting end date.
HEALTH ASSESSMENT REQUIRED: Yes
ADVERTISED:
23 Apr 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:
07 May 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
See all 156+ Research at University of Florida jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research at University of Florida roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Research Jobs at University of Florida Jobs
Align your credentials with UF's degree requirements
Research roles at UF are classified as specialty occupations, so your degree field must directly match the position. A degree in a related discipline without a clear connection to the advertised role can complicate the H-1B petition. Review job postings carefully and prepare a credential evaluation if your degree was earned outside the U.S.
Target departments with active grant funding
UF research hiring is heavily tied to external grants from NIH, NSF, and USDA. Positions posted on the UF Careers portal tied to named grants or institute projects signal that a funding source already exists, which makes sponsorship more straightforward for the hiring department.
Understand the J-1 versus H-1B trade-off early
UF frequently sponsors postdoctoral researchers on J-1 status through exchange visitor programs, but the J-1 two-year home residency requirement can block an H-1B later. If long-term U.S. residence is your goal, clarify the visa type being offered before accepting any research appointment.
Use Migrate Mate to find open Research roles at UF
Research positions at large public universities fill quickly and are often listed with short application windows. Use Migrate Mate to filter actively posted Research roles at University of Florida by visa type so you're applying to positions that match your specific sponsorship situation.
Ask hiring managers about PERM timing during interviews
If Green Card sponsorship is part of your long-term plan, ask during the offer stage whether UF's international services office initiates PERM for research staff roles. DOL's PERM process has multi-year backlogs for many nationalities, so starting that conversation before you sign matters.
File OPT or STEM OPT paperwork well before your program ends
If you're completing a degree at UF or elsewhere and plan to transition into a research staff role, USCIS requires OPT applications to be submitted up to 90 days before your program end date. Delays in your Designated School Official's processing can cut into your authorized work window.
Research at University of Florida jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Research at University of Florida JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does University of Florida sponsor H-1B visas for Researchs?
Yes, University of Florida sponsors H-1B visas for qualifying Research positions. UF's International Center handles the petition process on behalf of hiring departments. Research roles in fields such as biomedical science, engineering, and social sciences generally meet USCIS's specialty occupation criteria. Sponsorship is typically initiated after a formal offer is made, and the hiring department covers associated filing fees.
How do I apply for Research jobs at University of Florida?
Research positions at University of Florida are posted through the UF Careers portal at jobs.ufl.edu. Each listing specifies the department, funding source, and required qualifications. You'll submit an application, CV, and often a research statement or writing sample directly through the portal. For international applicants, Migrate Mate is a reliable way to browse open UF Research roles filtered by visa sponsorship eligibility before applying.
Which visa types does University of Florida commonly use for Research roles?
University of Florida sponsors several visa categories for Research staff and faculty, including H-1B, E-3 (for Australian citizens), TN (for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying research occupations), J-1 for exchange researchers and postdocs, and F-1 OPT or STEM OPT for recent graduates. The EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant visa categories are also available for research staff pursuing permanent residence through PERM labor certification.
What qualifications are expected for Research positions at University of Florida?
Most Research roles at UF require at least a master's degree in a relevant field, with doctoral degrees expected for positions involving independent research design or principal investigator responsibilities. Lab-based roles typically require demonstrated experience with specific methodologies or instrumentation. Postdoctoral appointments almost always require a completed Ph.D. Foreign degrees are accepted but may require a credential evaluation to confirm U.S. equivalency for visa petition purposes.
How do I navigate the visa sponsorship timeline for a UF Research offer?
Once UF extends a formal offer, the hiring department works with UF's International Center to prepare the sponsorship petition. For H-1B, the process takes several months under regular processing; USCIS premium processing reduces that to 15 business days. If you're transitioning from F-1 OPT, your OPT expiration date sets a hard deadline, so notify the International Center immediately after receiving your offer to avoid gaps in work authorization.
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