Research Assistant Jobs at University of Florida with Visa Sponsorship
Research Assistant roles at University of Florida span a wide range of disciplines, from biomedical sciences to social policy, and the university has a well-established process for sponsoring international researchers. If you need visa sponsorship to work in the U.S., UF actively supports multiple pathways for Research Assistant candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsJOB 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 79+ Research Assistant at University of Florida jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research Assistant at University of Florida roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Research Assistant Jobs at University of Florida Jobs
Align your degree field to the role
Research Assistant positions at UF require a degree directly tied to the research area, not just a general science or humanities background. Confirm your transcript reflects the specific discipline before applying, as USCIS scrutinizes specialty occupation fit closely.
Target department-level job postings directly
UF hires Research Assistants through individual departments and research centers, not just central HR. Checking the specific college or lab website often surfaces openings earlier than university-wide boards, giving you more time to connect with a principal investigator before the role fills.
Clarify your OPT or CPT timeline upfront
If you're on F-1 status, tell UF's hiring team exactly how many months of OPT remain before your first interview. Research projects run on grant cycles, and departments need confidence that your work authorization covers the project timeline before they commit to onboarding.
Ask about H-1B filing timing during the offer stage
UF processes H-1B petitions through its International Center, but cap-subject filings must be submitted by March for an October start. If your offer arrives late, negotiate a J-1 or bridge arrangement while your H-1B is pending to avoid a gap in research continuity.
Build a CV that reflects research output, not just duties
UF immigration filings for Research Assistants depend partly on demonstrating the role's specialized nature. A CV listing publications, conference presentations, grants, or named lab affiliations strengthens both your application and the university's petition to USCIS or DOL under EB-2 or EB-3 if that pathway becomes relevant.
Use Migrate Mate to filter verified UF openings
Research Assistant jobs at UF that include visa sponsorship are not always labeled clearly. Use Migrate Mate to filter University of Florida postings by visa type so you're only pursuing roles where sponsorship is already confirmed, saving you from wasted applications.
Research Assistant at University of Florida jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Research Assistant at University of Florida JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does University of Florida sponsor H-1B visas for Research Assistants?
Yes, University of Florida sponsors H-1B visas for Research Assistant roles that qualify as specialty occupations, meaning the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field directly related to the research. UF's International Center manages the petition process, coordinating with the hiring department to file with USCIS. Cap-subject H-1B petitions must be submitted in March for an October 1 start date, so your offer timing matters.
How do I apply for Research Assistant jobs at University of Florida?
Applications go through UF's official careers portal, but many Research Assistant openings are also posted at the department or lab level. Connecting directly with a principal investigator in your field before a role is formally posted can significantly improve your chances. You can also use Migrate Mate to browse Research Assistant positions at UF that are confirmed to offer visa sponsorship, filtering by visa type to match your situation.
Which visa types does University of Florida commonly use for Research Assistant roles?
UF sponsors a range of visa types for Research Assistants depending on your background and the role. F-1 OPT and CPT are common for current students working in affiliated labs. J-1 research scholar status is frequently used for postdoctoral or visiting researcher arrangements. H-1B covers longer-term employment, and UF also supports EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant visa pathways for researchers moving toward permanent residency. TN is available for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying research disciplines.
What qualifications does University of Florida expect for Research Assistant positions?
Expectations vary by department, but most Research Assistant roles require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a field directly tied to the research, such as biology, public health, engineering, or social sciences. Many competitive positions expect lab or fieldwork experience, familiarity with relevant research methods or software, and sometimes prior publications or conference work. Graduate-level roles may require an active enrollment in a UF PhD or master's program as a condition of appointment.
How long does the visa sponsorship process take for a UF Research Assistant role?
Timeline depends on visa type. F-1 OPT authorization through USCIS takes up to 90 days, so apply early relative to your start date. H-1B sponsorship follows the federal cap cycle with a March registration window and October 1 effective date, meaning the gap between offer and start can be six months or more. J-1 sponsorship through UF's International Center typically moves faster, often within four to eight weeks of an approved position.
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