Research Assistant Jobs at University of Minnesota with Visa Sponsorship
Research Assistant jobs at University of Minnesota span a wide range of academic disciplines, from clinical trials and public health to engineering and social sciences. The university has a consistent track record of sponsoring international researchers across multiple visa categories, making it a strong target for foreign nationals building a U.S. research career.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The RAIDS Project seeks up to three Step Up research assistants to help document the dynamics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and the communities impacted by enforcement. As members of the RAIDS Team, research assistants will independently gather primary data and complete essential data management tasks, including data cleaning, verification, and coding. Data collection involves systematically reviewing and coding publicly available news media reports to identify and triangulate key details of immigration enforcement actions, including timing, location, and scope of raids.
This position offers hands-on training in applied social science research and is especially well suited for students interested in public policy, sociology, crimmigration, political science, data science, or related fields. Beyond a shared core of data coding, research assistants are matched to additional research tasks based on their interests and strengths—ranging from qualitative interview analysis and legal and policy review to science communication and course development. It is an excellent fit for students seeking structured, entry-level research experience with room to build a broad set of applied skills. No prior data handling or research experience is required; training will be provided.
Research assistants work alongside Principal Investigator Dr. Tatiana Padilla and project collaborators including Professor Chris Uggen and Research Directors Mimi and Nayeli Quiles, who lead training and provide guidance on coding protocols and quality standards.
RESEARCH TASKS
All research assistants contribute to the project’s core dataset by coding reports of immigration enforcement activity drawn from media, legal, and administrative sources, with full training provided on the first day of the internship. Beyond this shared foundation, assistants rank their preferences across the tasks below and are matched to those that best fit their interests and skills:
- Immigration raid report coding. Reviewing source documents and applying a structured coding scheme to capture the key details of each enforcement event—the shared core that anchors the dataset.
- Qualitative interview coding. Cleaning interview transcripts, applying a coding framework to identify key themes, and flagging compelling quotes from a study of international students’ experiences with recent immigration enforcement.
- Sanctuary policy and law review. Conducting a systematic review of sanctuary policies across U.S. jurisdictions—identifying enactment dates, end dates, and key provisions—and auditing AI-generated policy codings for accuracy.
- Social media strategy and content creation. Developing and executing a social media strategy that translates ongoing research into accessible content for a broad public audience, at roughly one to two posts per week.
- Academic conference presentation design. Translating research findings into a visually compelling, scholarly slide deck for an August academic conference.
- Crimmigration course development. Supporting the creation of an original course on crimmigration, from identifying scholarly readings and mapping key themes to assisting with the recording and editing of lecture content.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be enrolled participants in the Step Up Achieve Summer Program
- Strong attention to detail
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently
- Highly motivated and self-directed
- Ability to search for, read, and critically assess online sources
- Ability to discern, extract, and verify relevant information from news media and public reports
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Interest in pursuing graduate-level research in the social sciences
- Second language skills, beyond English
- Writing, communication, or design skills, which are an asset for certain project tasks
DURATION OF APPOINTMENT
June - August 2026
HOURLY PAY
$16.51
SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS
20 hours per week. This position requires in-person attendance on Mondays 9:30-5:30, plus an additional 8-hour work day and one 4-hour work day. Synchronous and asynchronous, remote with option to work in person.
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.
Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
LOCATION
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.
INTRODUCTION
The RAIDS Project seeks up to three Step Up research assistants to help document the dynamics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and the communities impacted by enforcement. As members of the RAIDS Team, research assistants will independently gather primary data and complete essential data management tasks, including data cleaning, verification, and coding. Data collection involves systematically reviewing and coding publicly available news media reports to identify and triangulate key details of immigration enforcement actions, including timing, location, and scope of raids.
This position offers hands-on training in applied social science research and is especially well suited for students interested in public policy, sociology, crimmigration, political science, data science, or related fields. Beyond a shared core of data coding, research assistants are matched to additional research tasks based on their interests and strengths—ranging from qualitative interview analysis and legal and policy review to science communication and course development. It is an excellent fit for students seeking structured, entry-level research experience with room to build a broad set of applied skills. No prior data handling or research experience is required; training will be provided.
Research assistants work alongside Principal Investigator Dr. Tatiana Padilla and project collaborators including Professor Chris Uggen and Research Directors Mimi and Nayeli Quiles, who lead training and provide guidance on coding protocols and quality standards.
RESEARCH TASKS
All research assistants contribute to the project’s core dataset by coding reports of immigration enforcement activity drawn from media, legal, and administrative sources, with full training provided on the first day of the internship. Beyond this shared foundation, assistants rank their preferences across the tasks below and are matched to those that best fit their interests and skills:
- Immigration raid report coding. Reviewing source documents and applying a structured coding scheme to capture the key details of each enforcement event—the shared core that anchors the dataset.
- Qualitative interview coding. Cleaning interview transcripts, applying a coding framework to identify key themes, and flagging compelling quotes from a study of international students’ experiences with recent immigration enforcement.
- Sanctuary policy and law review. Conducting a systematic review of sanctuary policies across U.S. jurisdictions—identifying enactment dates, end dates, and key provisions—and auditing AI-generated policy codings for accuracy.
- Social media strategy and content creation. Developing and executing a social media strategy that translates ongoing research into accessible content for a broad public audience, at roughly one to two posts per week.
- Academic conference presentation design. Translating research findings into a visually compelling, scholarly slide deck for an August academic conference.
- Crimmigration course development. Supporting the creation of an original course on crimmigration, from identifying scholarly readings and mapping key themes to assisting with the recording and editing of lecture content.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be enrolled participants in the Step Up Achieve Summer Program
- Strong attention to detail
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently
- Highly motivated and self-directed
- Ability to search for, read, and critically assess online sources
- Ability to discern, extract, and verify relevant information from news media and public reports
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Interest in pursuing graduate-level research in the social sciences
- Second language skills, beyond English
- Writing, communication, or design skills, which are an asset for certain project tasks
DURATION OF APPOINTMENT
June - August 2026
HOURLY PAY
$16.51
SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS
20 hours per week. This position requires in-person attendance on Mondays 9:30-5:30, plus an additional 8-hour work day and one 4-hour work day. Synchronous and asynchronous, remote with option to work in person.
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.
Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
LOCATION
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.
Tips for Finding Research Assistant Jobs at University of Minnesota
Align your credentials to Minnesota's research priorities
University of Minnesota Research Assistant postings frequently require documented experience in a specific lab methodology or research domain. Match your CV to the faculty member's active grant work, not just the general job description, to clear the specialty occupation bar.
Target faculty-led positions over departmental postings
Many Research Assistant roles at Minnesota are initiated by individual principal investigators, not central HR. Reaching out directly to faculty whose funded projects align with your background surfaces openings before they're formally listed and signals genuine research fit.
Clarify your visa category with the sponsoring department early
University of Minnesota sponsors H-1B, E-3, TN, J-1, and OPT depending on your nationality and degree stage. Confirm which category applies to your situation before your offer letter is drafted so the international office can begin the correct USCIS or DOL filing without delay.
Time your OPT application to cover the hiring window
If you're completing a degree at Minnesota or another U.S. institution, USCIS recommends filing your OPT EAD application up to 90 days before your program end date. A delayed filing can create a gap that causes the department to withdraw a pending Research Assistant offer.
Prepare a specialty occupation documentation packet in advance
For H-1B or E-3 sponsorship, Minnesota's international office will need your transcripts, degree equivalency evaluations if your credential is foreign, and a detailed duties statement showing the role requires a specific bachelor's-level field. Having these ready shortens the petition preparation cycle significantly.
Use Migrate Mate to identify open Research Assistant roles at Minnesota
Research Assistant openings at large universities turn over frequently and aren't always easy to track across departmental sites. Use Migrate Mate to filter active Research Assistant positions at University of Minnesota by visa sponsorship type so you're only applying where sponsorship is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of Minnesota sponsor H-1B visas for Research Assistants?
Yes, University of Minnesota sponsors H-1B visas for Research Assistant positions that qualify as specialty occupations, meaning the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific academic field. The university's Office of Human Resources and International Student and Scholar Services manage the filing process. Your offered position must have a clearly defined research scope tied to your degree discipline to support the H-1B petition.
How do I apply for Research Assistant jobs at University of Minnesota?
Applications go through the University of Minnesota's official careers portal, though many Research Assistant positions are also initiated at the faculty or department level. Reviewing active grant projects and contacting principal investigators directly can surface unadvertised openings. You can also use Migrate Mate to browse confirmed visa-sponsoring Research Assistant roles at the university and apply directly from there.
Which visa types does University of Minnesota commonly use for Research Assistant roles?
University of Minnesota sponsors a broad range of visa categories for Research Assistants, including H-1B, E-3 visa for Australian citizens, TN visa for Canadian and Mexican nationals under USMCA, J-1 visa exchange visitor status, and F-1 OPT and CPT for current students. The appropriate category depends on your nationality, degree status, and the specific research appointment. The university's international office advises on which pathway fits your situation.
What qualifications are expected for Research Assistant positions at University of Minnesota?
Most Research Assistant roles require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a field directly relevant to the research area, such as biology, public health, engineering, psychology, or social sciences. Many postings also expect hands-on lab or data analysis experience, familiarity with specific methodologies or software, and in some cases, enrollment in or completion of a graduate program. A strong alignment between your academic background and the faculty member's active research agenda strengthens your application considerably.
How do I plan my timeline for H-1B or E-3 sponsorship as a Research Assistant at University of Minnesota?
For H-1B, the annual cap registration window opens in March, and cap-subject petitions have an October 1 start date, so you'll need an offer in place well before the registration period. University of Minnesota is a cap-exempt employer for certain research roles, which can allow H-1B filings year-round outside the lottery. E-3 petitions for Australian citizens can be filed at any time and have no lottery. In both cases, the department needs several weeks to prepare and submit filings through USCIS or the DOL.