Green Card Postdoctoral Associate Jobs
Postdoctoral Associate roles at U.S. research universities and institutes regularly qualify for employment-based green card sponsorship through PERM labor certification, with most positions fitting the EB-2 advanced-degree category. Institutions file I-140 petitions directly, making postdoc-to-permanent-residency pathways more common than many foreign researchers expect.
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The Kim Laboratory at the University of Utah (Department of Mechanical Engineering and John A. Moran Eye Center) is seeking a highly motivated, creative, and collaborative Postdoctoral Research Fellow. The fellow will lead the biological arm of an NIH-funded project on corneal mechanotransduction in keratoconus. This project sits at the intersection of corneal biology, mechanobiology, and organ-on-chip engineering, and builds on the laboratory’s recent work on curvature-dependent regulation of corneal stromal cells (Nature Communications, 2025).
The successful candidate will generate and validate CRISPR/Cas9 knockout corneal stromal cell lines. They will also study how curvature and mechanical load regulate corneal cell behavior in hydraulically controlled organ-chip platforms, and identify the mechanotransduction pathways underlying keratoconus progression. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Vision Science, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field, with a strong track record of first-author publications.
This role requires hands-on expertise in mammalian cell culture, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and core molecular and imaging techniques such as qPCR, Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and confocal microscopy. A solid understanding of mechanotransduction signaling, including YAP/TAZ, cytoskeletal remodeling, and ECM regulation, is essential. The preferred candidate will also bring experience with corneal or ocular cell culture, 3D or microfluidic culture systems, and RNA-seq or quantitative image analysis.
Responsibilities
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
PREFERENCES
Type Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.
Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.
https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.
POSTING SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- Do you meet the minimum qualifications of the position as specified in the job posting?
- Yes
- No
APPLICANT DOCUMENTS
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Resume
Cover Letter
* List of References
OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS
OPEN DATE 10/29/2026
REQUISITION NUMBER PRN46629B
JOB TITLE Post Doc Res Assoc
WORKING TITLE Postdoctoral Researcher for Cornea Chip
CAREER PROGRESSION TRACK A00
TRACK LEVEL
FLSA CODE Administrative
PATIENT SENSITIVE JOB CODE? No
STANDARD HOURS PER WEEK 40
FULL TIME OR PART TIME? Full Time
SHIFT Day
WORK SCHEDULE SUMMARY
Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
VP AREA Academic Affairs
DEPARTMENT 00068 - Mechanical Engineering
LOCATION Campus
CITY Salt Lake City, UT
TYPE OF RECRUITMENT External Posting
PAY RATE RANGE 65,000-70,000
CLOSE DATE 12/31/2026
PRIORITY REVIEW DATE (NOTE - POSTING MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME)
INTRODUCTION
The Kim Laboratory at the University of Utah (Department of Mechanical Engineering and John A. Moran Eye Center) is seeking a highly motivated, creative, and collaborative Postdoctoral Research Fellow. The fellow will lead the biological arm of an NIH-funded project on corneal mechanotransduction in keratoconus. This project sits at the intersection of corneal biology, mechanobiology, and organ-on-chip engineering, and builds on the laboratory’s recent work on curvature-dependent regulation of corneal stromal cells (Nature Communications, 2025).
The successful candidate will generate and validate CRISPR/Cas9 knockout corneal stromal cell lines. They will also study how curvature and mechanical load regulate corneal cell behavior in hydraulically controlled organ-chip platforms, and identify the mechanotransduction pathways underlying keratoconus progression. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Vision Science, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field, with a strong track record of first-author publications.
This role requires hands-on expertise in mammalian cell culture, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and core molecular and imaging techniques such as qPCR, Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and confocal microscopy. A solid understanding of mechanotransduction signaling, including YAP/TAZ, cytoskeletal remodeling, and ECM regulation, is essential. The preferred candidate will also bring experience with corneal or ocular cell culture, 3D or microfluidic culture systems, and RNA-seq or quantitative image analysis.
Responsibilities
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
PREFERENCES
Type Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.
Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.
https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.
POSTING SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- Do you meet the minimum qualifications of the position as specified in the job posting?
- Yes
- No
APPLICANT DOCUMENTS
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Resume
Cover Letter
* List of References
OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS
OPEN DATE 10/29/2026
REQUISITION NUMBER PRN46629B
JOB TITLE Post Doc Res Assoc
WORKING TITLE Postdoctoral Researcher for Cornea Chip
CAREER PROGRESSION TRACK A00
TRACK LEVEL
FLSA CODE Administrative
PATIENT SENSITIVE JOB CODE? No
STANDARD HOURS PER WEEK 40
FULL TIME OR PART TIME? Full Time
SHIFT Day
WORK SCHEDULE SUMMARY
Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
VP AREA Academic Affairs
DEPARTMENT 00068 - Mechanical Engineering
LOCATION Campus
CITY Salt Lake City, UT
TYPE OF RECRUITMENT External Posting
PAY RATE RANGE 65,000-70,000
CLOSE DATE 12/31/2026
PRIORITY REVIEW DATE (NOTE - POSTING MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME)
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as a Postdoctoral Associate
Document your research output before applying
Compile peer-reviewed publications, citation records, and grant contributions now. PERM-based EB-2 petitions require your employer to justify your advanced qualifications, and a strong academic dossier shortens the internal approval process at research institutions.
Target institutions with established PERM infrastructure
Large R1 universities and national laboratories process PERM applications routinely, while smaller colleges may have never filed one. Ask HR directly whether they have an immigration liaison or approved outside counsel before accepting an offer.
Find green-card-sponsoring postdoc roles on Migrate Mate
Search Migrate Mate to filter Postdoctoral Associate openings by employers with active PERM and I-140 filing history, so you spend your application energy on institutions that already sponsor foreign researchers.
Clarify EB-2 versus EB-3 with your prospective employer
Many postdoc roles qualify for EB-2 under the advanced-degree standard, but some institutions default to EB-3. EB-2 generally moves faster for most nationalities, so confirm the intended preference category before DOL submits your PERM application.
Verify the advertised wage meets DOL prevailing standards
PERM requires your employer to pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your occupation and location. Cross-check the posted salary against the OFLC Wage Search before signing your offer letter to avoid a wage-deficiency rejection later.
Understand the PERM recruitment window timeline
DOL requires employers to complete a mandatory recruitment period, typically 30 to 180 days, before filing the PERM application. Factor this into your timeline so the labor certification is filed well before your current visa status expires.
Green Card Postdoctoral Associate: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Postdoctoral Associate positions commonly qualify for employment-based green card sponsorship?
Yes. Postdoctoral Associate roles almost always require a Ph.D. or equivalent, which satisfies the EB-2 advanced-degree standard under U.S. immigration law. Research universities and federal laboratories routinely sponsor foreign postdocs through PERM labor certification followed by an I-140 immigrant petition. The process is well-established at major research institutions, and many have dedicated immigration staff to manage it.
How does green card sponsorship differ from H-1B sponsorship for postdoc researchers?
H-1B visa is a temporary nonimmigrant status subject to an annual lottery cap, while employment-based green card sponsorship through PERM leads to permanent residency with no annual cap at the EB-2 or EB-3 level for most nationalities. The PERM process takes longer than an H-1B petition, often one to three years from labor certification through I-485 approval, but the outcome is lawful permanent residency rather than a status you must renew every few years.
Can a Postdoctoral Associate start the green card process at the same time as an H-1B?
Yes, and many foreign postdocs do exactly this. USCIS permits concurrent filing of an H-1B extension and an I-140 petition. Starting PERM labor certification early in your postdoc appointment is a strategic advantage because it establishes a priority date, which determines your place in the immigrant visa queue, particularly important for nationals from countries with longer EB-2 backlogs.
Which O*NET occupation category covers Postdoctoral Associate roles for PERM purposes?
Postdoctoral Associate positions are typically classified under O*NET code 19-1042.00 (Medical Scientists) or a closely related life-science or physical-science research category, depending on the discipline. Your employer's immigration attorney will select the appropriate Standard Occupational Classification code for the PERM application and DOL will verify the corresponding prevailing wage using that classification.
How can I find Postdoctoral Associate jobs where the employer already sponsors green cards?
Use Migrate Mate to search Postdoctoral Associate openings filtered by employers with verified PERM and I-140 filing history. This lets you focus on institutions that have already navigated the sponsorship process for foreign researchers, rather than approaching employers who may be unfamiliar with the PERM labor certification requirements for academic roles.