Research Jobs at University of Massachusetts Amherst with Visa Sponsorship
Research roles at UMass Amherst span faculty-adjacent positions, lab coordination, and grant-funded projects across departments. The university has a consistent track record of sponsoring international researchers, with familiarity across academic visa pathways that makes it a realistic target for sponsored candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsTitle: Post Doctoral Research Associate - Somneuro Lab
Executive Area: Academic Affairs
College/School/MBU: College of Natural Sciences
Department: Psychology and Brain Sci
Work Location: Amherst
Schedule: Full time
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Job Summary
The Somneuro Lab (directed by Dr. Rebecca Spencer) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst is seeking a full-time postdoctoral scholar for research on sleep, cognition, and brain dynamics. The lab and program environment is rich and based in new research facilities. The Somneuro Lab broadly focuses on sleep’s role in memory across development and aging. We are particularly interested in neural mechanisms underlying sleep benefits to cognition and apply multiple tools to address these questions (MRI, EEG/polysomnography, behavioral assessments). A 2-year commitment is preferred with the possibility of additional reappointment.
Essential Functions
-
Develop and implement novel analysis pipelines for human EEG data, including spectral and time-frequency analysis, parameterization of aperiodic activity, and characterization of spatiotemporal dynamics.
-
Analyze and interpret EEG data in the context of cognitive and sleep functions.
-
Contribute to study design, data collection, and preprocessing workflows.
-
Collaborate with other lab staff.
-
Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and support grant development.
-
Mentor graduate and undergraduate trainees as appropriate.
Other Functions
-
Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, equality and inclusiveness.
-
Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
-
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.
Minimum Qualifications
-
Ph.D. in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering, physics, computer science, or a related field.
-
Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with demonstrated experience in neural data analysis.
-
Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, or similar.
-
Experience with EEG (or similar) data analysis, including preprocessing, artifact rejection, and spectral methods.
-
Familiarity with signal processing techniques and statistical modeling.
-
Evidence of scholarly productivity (e.g., publications, preprints) in a fast-paced environment.
-
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
-
Experience with machine learning or advanced statistical modeling approaches.
-
Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken.
-
Keen attention to detail (including documentation), organization, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
-
Prior experience in sleep or cognitive neuroscience research.
-
Experience analyzing oscillatory activity and aperiodic components.
-
Familiarity with advanced methods for characterizing spatiotemporal dynamics.
Additional Details
At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. These values and goals are reflected in the College of Natural Sciences’ Inclusive Excellence framework and in the UMass Amherst’s For the Common Good: 2024–2034 Strategic Plan.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in indoor and/or outdoor environments, and requires frequent lifting, bending, tool use or equipment use. May involve work in confined spaces or at heights.
Work Schedule and Work Arrangement
Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week. As needed to complete assigned tasks and experiments, with some flexibility.
Salary Information
Salary minimum is determined by collective bargaining agreement based on years of experience. Salary may exceed the floor and will be determined by the PI (final salary will be stated in offer letter).
Current floors based on 100% time, 40 hours/week:
0-2 years $62,838
3-4 years $66,287
5+ years $71,033
Special Instructions for Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a CV, a cover letter describing your research interest and experience, and contact information for three (3) professional references.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.
Title: Post Doctoral Research Associate - Somneuro Lab
Executive Area: Academic Affairs
College/School/MBU: College of Natural Sciences
Department: Psychology and Brain Sci
Work Location: Amherst
Schedule: Full time
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Job Summary
The Somneuro Lab (directed by Dr. Rebecca Spencer) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst is seeking a full-time postdoctoral scholar for research on sleep, cognition, and brain dynamics. The lab and program environment is rich and based in new research facilities. The Somneuro Lab broadly focuses on sleep’s role in memory across development and aging. We are particularly interested in neural mechanisms underlying sleep benefits to cognition and apply multiple tools to address these questions (MRI, EEG/polysomnography, behavioral assessments). A 2-year commitment is preferred with the possibility of additional reappointment.
Essential Functions
-
Develop and implement novel analysis pipelines for human EEG data, including spectral and time-frequency analysis, parameterization of aperiodic activity, and characterization of spatiotemporal dynamics.
-
Analyze and interpret EEG data in the context of cognitive and sleep functions.
-
Contribute to study design, data collection, and preprocessing workflows.
-
Collaborate with other lab staff.
-
Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and support grant development.
-
Mentor graduate and undergraduate trainees as appropriate.
Other Functions
-
Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, equality and inclusiveness.
-
Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
-
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.
Minimum Qualifications
-
Ph.D. in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering, physics, computer science, or a related field.
-
Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with demonstrated experience in neural data analysis.
-
Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, or similar.
-
Experience with EEG (or similar) data analysis, including preprocessing, artifact rejection, and spectral methods.
-
Familiarity with signal processing techniques and statistical modeling.
-
Evidence of scholarly productivity (e.g., publications, preprints) in a fast-paced environment.
-
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
-
Experience with machine learning or advanced statistical modeling approaches.
-
Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken.
-
Keen attention to detail (including documentation), organization, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
-
Prior experience in sleep or cognitive neuroscience research.
-
Experience analyzing oscillatory activity and aperiodic components.
-
Familiarity with advanced methods for characterizing spatiotemporal dynamics.
Additional Details
At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. These values and goals are reflected in the College of Natural Sciences’ Inclusive Excellence framework and in the UMass Amherst’s For the Common Good: 2024–2034 Strategic Plan.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in indoor and/or outdoor environments, and requires frequent lifting, bending, tool use or equipment use. May involve work in confined spaces or at heights.
Work Schedule and Work Arrangement
Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week. As needed to complete assigned tasks and experiments, with some flexibility.
Salary Information
Salary minimum is determined by collective bargaining agreement based on years of experience. Salary may exceed the floor and will be determined by the PI (final salary will be stated in offer letter).
Current floors based on 100% time, 40 hours/week:
0-2 years $62,838
3-4 years $66,287
5+ years $71,033
Special Instructions for Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a CV, a cover letter describing your research interest and experience, and contact information for three (3) professional references.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.
See all 31+ Research at University of Massachusetts Amherst jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Research Jobs at University of Massachusetts Amherst Jobs
Align your credentials to federal specialty occupation standards
H-1B eligibility for Research roles requires your degree to directly relate to the position. For UMass postings, match your transcript field to the job's research domain before applying, not after receiving an offer.
Target grant-funded positions for stronger sponsorship likelihood
Research roles tied to external grants at UMass Amherst tend to have clearer hiring timelines and dedicated funding for visa costs. Look for postings that reference NSF, NIH, or DOE funding in the job description.
Use Migrate Mate to filter open Research roles by visa type
UMass Amherst posts Research positions across multiple departments with varying sponsorship eligibility. Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically by visa category so you're only spending time on roles that match your authorization status.
Prepare your PERM documentation before the offer stage
If you're targeting a permanent Research role and eventual Green Card sponsorship, UMass may pursue PERM labor certification. Gather degree transcripts, prior employment records, and any publications early, since DOL requires extensive documentation from both you and the employer.
Account for academic hiring cycles when planning your timeline
UMass Research positions frequently open in the fall and spring semesters, tied to grant renewal periods. If you're on OPT, confirm your expiration date against the expected start date before applying, since H-1B cap-subject petitions must be filed by April 1 for an October 1 start.
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Find Research at University of Massachusetts Amherst JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does University of Massachusetts Amherst sponsor H-1B visas for Researchs?
Yes, UMass Amherst sponsors H-1B visas for qualifying Research positions. As a higher education institution, UMass is cap-exempt, meaning petitions can be filed year-round without waiting for the annual H-1B lottery. This is a significant practical advantage for international candidates who missed the general cap or are changing employers mid-year.
How do I apply for Research jobs at University of Massachusetts Amherst?
Applications go through UMass Amherst's HR portal, where Research positions are listed by department. Tailor your application to the specific research area and funding context of each posting. If you need visa sponsorship, address your authorization status in your cover letter so hiring managers aren't left to guess. Migrate Mate also aggregates open Research roles at UMass filtered by visa type, which can simplify your search.
Which visa types does UMass Amherst commonly use for Research roles?
UMass Amherst sponsors H-1B, J-1, TN, F-1 OPT, and F-1 CPT for Research positions, and supports EB-2 and EB-3 Green Card pathways for longer-term hires. J-1 is common for postdoctoral researchers and visiting scholars. H-1B is the primary route for non-postdoc Research staff seeking multi-year employment. TN is available for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying research occupations.
What qualifications are expected for Research roles at UMass Amherst?
Most Research positions require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a directly related field, with many roles expecting a master's or doctorate depending on the research focus and funding source. Lab-based or STEM-heavy positions often require hands-on technical experience. For H-1B sponsorship, your degree must align specifically with the job duties under USCIS specialty occupation standards, not just the broader field.
How long does the visa sponsorship process take for a UMass Amherst Research role?
For H-1B filings, UMass as a cap-exempt employer can submit petitions at any time, with standard USCIS processing taking three to six months. Premium processing is available from USCIS for a faster decision. J-1 sponsorship through the university's international office typically moves faster, often within four to eight weeks. Build buffer time into your start date negotiation to account for government processing delays.
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