Research Jobs at West Virginia University with Visa Sponsorship
Research jobs at West Virginia University span academic labs, sponsored projects, and interdisciplinary centers across science, engineering, health, and social sciences. WVU has an established process for supporting international researchers through multiple visa pathways, making it a viable target for candidates who need sponsorship to work in the U.S.
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The Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Research Assistant II.
About the Opportunity
The Research Assistant, with direction and oversight from the Principal Investigator and Research Coordinator, will serve as a critical staff member and study liaison for study patients enrolling in a clinical trial for opioid use disorder.
We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:
- 37.5-hour work week
- 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
- 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
- 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
- WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
- 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
- Wellness programs
- The RC will work with the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry (BMED) staff and community-based referral sources to identify potential study subjects. Assist RC in screening patients for eligibility based on information collected from patients and from review of patient’s medical chart, applying established protocol inclusion/exclusion criteria.
- Conduct screening, consenting and randomization activities in accordance with the MOP and local SOPs. Explain all aspects of study participation to eligible patients as well as educate eligible patients on scope of study and participation. Obtain signed consent/HIPAA forms and contact info from patients who agree to participate. Review and ensure consent documents are complete and accurate.
- Manage initiation of subject treatment based on randomization using study medication, under supervision of the site PI and Medical Clinician and Research Pharmacist; interact with research pharmacy and Medical Clinician (MC) to ensure that correct medication is delivered to CRC and administered to subject.
- Complete structured questionnaires and assessments with subjects and review for completeness and accuracy; schedule dates/times with subjects for collecting follow-up study data.
- Perform follow-up study visits for each participant according to study protocol, MOP, and local SOPs. Perform data abstraction and complete visit checklist/progress notes for all visits.
- Collect and process biological samples.
- With appropriate training, may assess vital signs, height, and weight.
- Complete daily temperature logs for study supplies.
- Manage subject study protocol in collaboration with the PI, ensuring subsequent research activity is strictly followed based on corresponding protocol.
- Address patient/provider medical concerns and respond appropriately with limited supervision.
- Process and track study payments to participants.
- Attend weekly research team meetings.
Pay Grade: 17
QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in public health, healthcare, social work, counseling, psychology, or a related discipline.
- A minimum of 0-6 months of experience working with patients in a clinical or research setting.
- Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
- All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong oral communication and people skills.
- Highly self-motivated and independent.
- Organized and detail oriented.
- Able to interact in a non-stigmatizing way with individuals with substance use disorders.
- Able to effectively efficiently and independently work under pressure with competing demands and within a multi-disciplinary team.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience conducting in-person and telephone interviews; knowledge of research methods and protocols.
ABOUT WVU
West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.
From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.
At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.
Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.
West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.
Job Posting: Jun 11, 2026
Posting Classification: Non-Classified
Exemption Status: Exempt
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Schedule: Full-time
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Research Assistant II.
About the Opportunity
The Research Assistant, with direction and oversight from the Principal Investigator and Research Coordinator, will serve as a critical staff member and study liaison for study patients enrolling in a clinical trial for opioid use disorder.
We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:
- 37.5-hour work week
- 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
- 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
- 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
- WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
- 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
- Wellness programs
- The RC will work with the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry (BMED) staff and community-based referral sources to identify potential study subjects. Assist RC in screening patients for eligibility based on information collected from patients and from review of patient’s medical chart, applying established protocol inclusion/exclusion criteria.
- Conduct screening, consenting and randomization activities in accordance with the MOP and local SOPs. Explain all aspects of study participation to eligible patients as well as educate eligible patients on scope of study and participation. Obtain signed consent/HIPAA forms and contact info from patients who agree to participate. Review and ensure consent documents are complete and accurate.
- Manage initiation of subject treatment based on randomization using study medication, under supervision of the site PI and Medical Clinician and Research Pharmacist; interact with research pharmacy and Medical Clinician (MC) to ensure that correct medication is delivered to CRC and administered to subject.
- Complete structured questionnaires and assessments with subjects and review for completeness and accuracy; schedule dates/times with subjects for collecting follow-up study data.
- Perform follow-up study visits for each participant according to study protocol, MOP, and local SOPs. Perform data abstraction and complete visit checklist/progress notes for all visits.
- Collect and process biological samples.
- With appropriate training, may assess vital signs, height, and weight.
- Complete daily temperature logs for study supplies.
- Manage subject study protocol in collaboration with the PI, ensuring subsequent research activity is strictly followed based on corresponding protocol.
- Address patient/provider medical concerns and respond appropriately with limited supervision.
- Process and track study payments to participants.
- Attend weekly research team meetings.
Pay Grade: 17
QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in public health, healthcare, social work, counseling, psychology, or a related discipline.
- A minimum of 0-6 months of experience working with patients in a clinical or research setting.
- Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
- All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong oral communication and people skills.
- Highly self-motivated and independent.
- Organized and detail oriented.
- Able to interact in a non-stigmatizing way with individuals with substance use disorders.
- Able to effectively efficiently and independently work under pressure with competing demands and within a multi-disciplinary team.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience conducting in-person and telephone interviews; knowledge of research methods and protocols.
ABOUT WVU
West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.
From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.
At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.
Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.
West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.
Job Posting: Jun 11, 2026
Posting Classification: Non-Classified
Exemption Status: Exempt
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Schedule: Full-time
Tips for Finding Research Jobs at West Virginia University
Align your credentials with federal specialty occupation standards
Research roles at universities must qualify as specialty occupations under USCIS criteria, meaning your degree field needs to directly match the position. If your degree is in a related but not identical field, gather documentation showing how your coursework maps to the research area WVU is hiring in.
Target grant-funded positions over departmental openings
WVU Research roles tied to federal grants through NIH, NSF, or DOE are more likely to move quickly through sponsorship approval because funding is already secured. Look for postings that reference a specific grant, project number, or principal investigator when browsing open positions.
Clarify sponsorship scope before accepting an offer
WVU can sponsor multiple visa types for Research roles, so confirm early whether the offer covers H-1B, J-1, or a Green Card pathway. The visa type affects your timeline, dependent work authorization, and long-term options, so get this in writing before your start date is set.
Use OPT strategically while your H-1B petition is filed
If you're on F-1 OPT and receive an offer from WVU, your employer can file an H-1B petition on your behalf. If your OPT expires before October 1, USCIS allows a cap-gap extension that lets you keep working continuously while your petition is pending.
Find open Research roles at WVU through Migrate Mate
Browsing Research positions by sponsorship history saves time when you're targeting a specific employer. Use Migrate Mate to filter WVU's open Research jobs and see which roles are currently listed, so you can apply directly to positions where sponsorship is already part of the hiring process.
Prepare your J-1 waiver documentation early if applicable
Some international researchers at WVU enter on J-1 exchange visitor visas subject to the two-year home residency requirement. If WVU wants to convert you to H-1B status afterward, you'll need a J-1 waiver first. DOL and interested government agency waivers can take several months, so start the process well before your J-1 ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does West Virginia University sponsor H-1B visas for Research roles?
Yes, WVU sponsors H-1B visas for Research positions where the role qualifies as a specialty occupation under USCIS standards. The university's Office of Global Affairs handles petition filings on behalf of the hiring department. Sponsorship is typically initiated after an offer is extended, so confirm the department's intent to sponsor during the interview process rather than after signing.
How do I apply for Research jobs at West Virginia University?
Applications for Research roles at WVU are submitted through the university's online hiring portal. You'll need a current CV, cover letter, and contact information for references. For international applicants, it helps to note your current visa status and work authorization on your application materials. You can also browse open WVU Research positions filtered by sponsorship availability on Migrate Mate before applying directly.
Which visa types does WVU commonly use for Research positions?
WVU uses several visa categories for Research staff, including H-1B for specialty occupation roles, J-1 visa for visiting researchers and postdoctoral fellows, F-1 OPT and CPT for students working within their degree programs, and TN visa for eligible Canadian and Mexican nationals. For longer-term hires, WVU also supports EB-2 and EB-3 Green Card petitions through the PERM labor certification process.
What qualifications are typically expected for Research roles at WVU?
Most Research positions at WVU require at minimum a master's degree in a relevant field, though postdoctoral and senior research roles typically require a Ph.D. Published work, lab skills, or demonstrated experience with grant-funded projects strengthens your candidacy. For H-1B eligibility, your degree must directly relate to the specific research area, so generic STEM degrees without field alignment can complicate the petition.
How long does the sponsorship process take for a WVU Research role?
Timeline depends on the visa type. H-1B standard processing through USCIS takes three to six months, and premium processing can reduce that to 15 business days for an additional fee. J-1 visas through WVU's sponsoring program are typically faster, often processed within four to eight weeks. PERM-based Green Card petitions take significantly longer, often 18 months or more from start to finish.