Green Card Director Of Research Operations Jobs
Director of Research Operations roles qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship through PERM labor certification, which requires employers to document that no qualified U.S. worker is available. Research institutions, universities, and biotech firms regularly sponsor this title. The process leads to permanent residency, not a temporary status.
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UL Inclusive Economy Lab
About the Department
We partner with policymakers, community-based organizations and others to identify their most urgent and pressing challenges, co-generate evidence about what works, and translate findings into policy changes that end intergenerational poverty. By identifying barriers to social mobility and racial equity and highlighting the programs and policies that have the most positive impact, our work aims to create greater economic opportunity. We specialize in evaluating programs with the potential to improve lives in three main areas:
- College and Career Success
- Basic Needs
- Quality Jobs
Job Summary
The job manages academic, research, clinical or administrative programs.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain clear guidelines for how research teams create, organize, store, and access research knowledge and resources, including building out and maintaining the organizational wiki.
- Centralize and streamline IEL's existing research repository, ensuring that prior work and methodological resources are easy to reference.
- Build and manage best practices for onboarding new research team members to IEL's previously published research, so that institutional knowledge transfers effectively as the team grows.
- Manage and work with the Scientific Director to refine project selection. This includes ensuring the completeness and timeliness of materials shared with LOT, following up on next steps for provisionally approved projects, and providing new project updates at staff meetings.
- Support the Scientific Director in formalizing the onboarding of new affiliates.
- Identify potential new affiliates as the Lab builds out new bodies of work, with specific focus on engaging Booth faculty as appropriate.
- Maintain list of current research affiliates and ensure external and internal communication is up to date.
- Support planning and execution of the IEL affiliate speaker series, working closely with the Scientific Director.
- Identify areas for Affiliate Research engagement with the Lab outside of project work.
- Develop and manage annual 360 feedback process for research affiliates.
- Support the scientific director in launching an academic conference focused on applied policy research.
- Identify areas to expand the Lab’s visibility with academic audiences.
- Lead the design and execution of IEL's internal program evaluation curriculum to build RM team capacity in causal inference and impact evaluation methods.
- Manage lab-wide research learning and trainings, including topic planning, speaker coordination, and content development, working closely with the Scientific Director. This includes taking ownership of training Tuesdays and research training components of Town Hall meetings.
- Identify research-related training gaps across the team and develop programming to address them.
- Support the Director of Analytics in launching an internal AI working group across the Lab.
- Develop practical guidance, tools, and standards for incorporating AI responsibly into research workflows, from literature reviews to coding to writing. Launch and support pilots aimed at increasing the efficiency of our work without compromising research quality, rigor, and integrity.
- Work closely with the Scientific Director and Qualitative Research Director to support development of a protocol for mixed methods research.
- Help the lab navigate its integration into Rustandy and Booth by developing clear frameworks and expectations around Rustandy-driven, non-IEL projects that IEL staff will support.
- Field inquiries for research support from Booth faculty and scope our involvement, identifying relevant staff support in collaboration with the DOA and DRM and provide direct research support as necessary/appropriate.
- Establish norms, intake processes, and documentation standards that allow both streams of work to coexist productively.
- Develops and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
- Has a deep understanding when interacting with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, social science, economics, education, or a related field is a plus. Will consider applicants with equivalent professional or lived experience.
Experience:
- Five or more years of experience in applied research, policy, or research operations, with demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects independently.
- Experience in a research coordination, program management, or chief-of-staff-type role, ideally within a university, think tank, or policy research organization.
- Strong working knowledge of program evaluation methods, including randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs, and the ability to communicate methodological concepts to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to design and deliver training or capacity-building programs, particularly related to research methods or evidence use.
- Experience developing knowledge management systems, research repositories, or institutional learning infrastructure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to synthesize complex information and translate it into clear guidance, documentation, and presentations.
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills; comfort working across teams and in a matrixed organizational structure.
- Genuine commitment to racial equity and economic inclusion, with experience working in or alongside communities affected by poverty, segregation, or disinvestment.
- First generation college students and those with lived experience in communities experiencing poverty and disinvestment are encouraged to apply.
Preferred Competencies
- Experience supporting or coordinating academic affiliates, visiting scholars, or research fellows.
- Prior experience planning academic convenings, workshops, or speaker series.
- Familiarity with administrative data partnerships, IRB processes, or research compliance.
- Interest in and experience with responsible AI use in research or policy contexts.
- Experience in workforce development, housing stability, education, or social safety net policy areas.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$89,250.00 - $115,500.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
Department
UL Inclusive Economy Lab
About the Department
We partner with policymakers, community-based organizations and others to identify their most urgent and pressing challenges, co-generate evidence about what works, and translate findings into policy changes that end intergenerational poverty. By identifying barriers to social mobility and racial equity and highlighting the programs and policies that have the most positive impact, our work aims to create greater economic opportunity. We specialize in evaluating programs with the potential to improve lives in three main areas:
- College and Career Success
- Basic Needs
- Quality Jobs
Job Summary
The job manages academic, research, clinical or administrative programs.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain clear guidelines for how research teams create, organize, store, and access research knowledge and resources, including building out and maintaining the organizational wiki.
- Centralize and streamline IEL's existing research repository, ensuring that prior work and methodological resources are easy to reference.
- Build and manage best practices for onboarding new research team members to IEL's previously published research, so that institutional knowledge transfers effectively as the team grows.
- Manage and work with the Scientific Director to refine project selection. This includes ensuring the completeness and timeliness of materials shared with LOT, following up on next steps for provisionally approved projects, and providing new project updates at staff meetings.
- Support the Scientific Director in formalizing the onboarding of new affiliates.
- Identify potential new affiliates as the Lab builds out new bodies of work, with specific focus on engaging Booth faculty as appropriate.
- Maintain list of current research affiliates and ensure external and internal communication is up to date.
- Support planning and execution of the IEL affiliate speaker series, working closely with the Scientific Director.
- Identify areas for Affiliate Research engagement with the Lab outside of project work.
- Develop and manage annual 360 feedback process for research affiliates.
- Support the scientific director in launching an academic conference focused on applied policy research.
- Identify areas to expand the Lab’s visibility with academic audiences.
- Lead the design and execution of IEL's internal program evaluation curriculum to build RM team capacity in causal inference and impact evaluation methods.
- Manage lab-wide research learning and trainings, including topic planning, speaker coordination, and content development, working closely with the Scientific Director. This includes taking ownership of training Tuesdays and research training components of Town Hall meetings.
- Identify research-related training gaps across the team and develop programming to address them.
- Support the Director of Analytics in launching an internal AI working group across the Lab.
- Develop practical guidance, tools, and standards for incorporating AI responsibly into research workflows, from literature reviews to coding to writing. Launch and support pilots aimed at increasing the efficiency of our work without compromising research quality, rigor, and integrity.
- Work closely with the Scientific Director and Qualitative Research Director to support development of a protocol for mixed methods research.
- Help the lab navigate its integration into Rustandy and Booth by developing clear frameworks and expectations around Rustandy-driven, non-IEL projects that IEL staff will support.
- Field inquiries for research support from Booth faculty and scope our involvement, identifying relevant staff support in collaboration with the DOA and DRM and provide direct research support as necessary/appropriate.
- Establish norms, intake processes, and documentation standards that allow both streams of work to coexist productively.
- Develops and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
- Has a deep understanding when interacting with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, social science, economics, education, or a related field is a plus. Will consider applicants with equivalent professional or lived experience.
Experience:
- Five or more years of experience in applied research, policy, or research operations, with demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects independently.
- Experience in a research coordination, program management, or chief-of-staff-type role, ideally within a university, think tank, or policy research organization.
- Strong working knowledge of program evaluation methods, including randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs, and the ability to communicate methodological concepts to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to design and deliver training or capacity-building programs, particularly related to research methods or evidence use.
- Experience developing knowledge management systems, research repositories, or institutional learning infrastructure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to synthesize complex information and translate it into clear guidance, documentation, and presentations.
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills; comfort working across teams and in a matrixed organizational structure.
- Genuine commitment to racial equity and economic inclusion, with experience working in or alongside communities affected by poverty, segregation, or disinvestment.
- First generation college students and those with lived experience in communities experiencing poverty and disinvestment are encouraged to apply.
Preferred Competencies
- Experience supporting or coordinating academic affiliates, visiting scholars, or research fellows.
- Prior experience planning academic convenings, workshops, or speaker series.
- Familiarity with administrative data partnerships, IRB processes, or research compliance.
- Interest in and experience with responsible AI use in research or policy contexts.
- Experience in workforce development, housing stability, education, or social safety net policy areas.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$89,250.00 - $115,500.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
See all Green Card Director Of Research Operations Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship in Director Of Research Operations
Translate your credentials into PERM language
PERM job requirements must match your actual qualifications exactly. If your role requires a master's degree plus five years of research administration experience, make sure your CV, transcripts, and reference letters mirror that language precisely before recruitment begins.
Target employers with existing PERM infrastructure
Research universities, NIH-funded institutes, and life sciences companies above a certain size already have in-house immigration counsel and active PERM pipelines. Prioritize these over startups where you'd be building the sponsorship process from scratch.
Search sponsored Director roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter Director of Research Operations postings by employers with verified green card filing history, so you spend time on opportunities where sponsorship is already part of the hiring workflow, not an afterthought.
Clarify EB-2 versus EB-3 eligibility before accepting an offer
If your role requires an advanced degree and specialized research management skills, push for EB-2 classification. EB-2 avoids the longer priority date backlogs that EB-3 can carry for certain countries of birth, directly affecting your timeline to permanent residency.
Verify prevailing wage before the offer stage
DOL sets the wage floor your employer must pay under PERM. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location before salary negotiations, so you can confirm any offer clears the minimum required for the petition.
Understand how PERM recruitment delays affect your start date
PERM requires the employer to run a mandatory recruitment period before filing. From job posting to I-140 approval can take 18 to 24 months or longer. Factor this into your transition planning, especially if you're moving between employers mid-process.
Green Card Director Of Research Operations: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Director of Research Operations role typically qualify for EB-2 or EB-3?
Most Director of Research Operations positions qualify for EB-2 because they require at minimum a master's degree in a relevant field such as life sciences, public health, or research administration, combined with substantial managerial experience. If the employer's stated minimum is a bachelor's degree with experience, EB-3 applies instead. The classification depends on what the employer formally requires, not what you personally hold.
How does the green card process differ from H-1B sponsorship for this role?
H-1B visa is a temporary nonimmigrant status capped at 65,000 per year with a lottery. Green card sponsorship through PERM leads to permanent residency with no annual cap at the EB-3 level, though EB-2 and EB-3 priority date backlogs vary by country of birth. PERM also requires the employer to conduct a formal recruitment test proving no qualified U.S. worker was available, making it a more involved but permanent outcome.
How long does green card sponsorship take for this job title?
The PERM recruitment and audit phase typically takes six to twelve months. DOL certification, I-140 filing, and priority date movement add additional time. For applicants born in countries without significant backlogs, the full process from PERM filing to an approved green card can run two to four years. For applicants born in high-demand countries, priority date backlogs can extend the timeline considerably further.
Where can I find Director of Research Operations jobs that offer green card sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lets you search Director of Research Operations roles filtered by employers with documented green card filing history. This is more reliable than scanning general job boards, where sponsorship willingness is often unclear or buried in application instructions. Focusing on employers who have filed PERM applications for similar titles in the past significantly reduces time spent on dead-end opportunities.
Can I switch employers during the green card process without losing my place in line?
Once your I-140 has been approved and your priority date has been established for at least 180 days, you can port to a new employer in a same or similar occupational category under AC21 portability rules. For Director of Research Operations roles, a comparable research administration or operations leadership position at a new employer typically satisfies the same-or-similar standard, but your new employer must be willing to continue the sponsorship.