Green Card Principal Investigator Jobs
Principal Investigator jobs with green card sponsorship are available through universities, research hospitals, government labs, and life-sciences companies that file PERM labor certification with the DOL. EB-2 is the standard pathway for PIs, given the advanced-degree requirement, though EB-3 applies in some industry settings. Priority-date backlogs vary significantly by country of birth.
Find Green Card Principal Investigator JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 86+ Principal Investigator jobs










See all 86+ Principal Investigator Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Principal Investigator roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
INTRODUCTION
ERM is hiring Principal Investigators to lead on-site cultural resource mitigation, compliance and mitigation support during the construction phase of our client’s transmission and distribution project in Northern Nevada and Southern Idaho.
The PI will work closely with project managers to understand client risk decisions, schedule drivers and methods to be used at specific sites. The candidate will be required to make in field decisions and communicate method changes in real time. The successful PI will lead teams that could include members from ERM, project term-hire, and subconsultants, and coordinators to implement mitigation, delineate, analyze, and implement avoidance measures for cultural resources to support uninterrupted project progress while maintaining regulatory compliance. This role requires strong field judgment, clear communication, and the ability to work safely and effectively in active construction and diverse, rugged environments.
The position requires the ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively with project teams, and make sound, real-time decisions in the field. Successful candidates must be flexible and responsive to a changing work environment where schedules, site locations, and tasks fluctuate according to the needs of the project. This is a full-time (60-72 hours/week), limited-term role with a duration of 6 months and the possibility of extension.
Responsibilities
- Lead mitigation by following the Historic Properties Treatment Plan and site specific plan(s)
- Communicate and make decisions in live time on changes to the site specific plan that are in the best interest of obtaining data, BLM requirements, and schedule drivers
- Be a leader in safety
- Identify, document, and evaluate archaeological materials, features, and isolated finds and have the ability to provide preliminary in field assessment of NRHP eligibility
- Implement unanticipated discovery procedures in accordance with project permits
- Coordinate in real time with project managers, and cultural resource leads
- Maintain compliance with cultural resource permit conditions and environmental commitments
- Oversee the completion of daily field notes, photographic documentation, and GPS data
- Collect data to support future reporting, summary updates to the BLM, and updates of field forms
- Assure quality control for all crew members collected data and methods
- Assist with preparation of documentation and technical memoranda
- Communicate findings, compliance concerns, and work status to project managers and senior archaeologists
- Support coordination with Native American tribal monitors, when applicable
- Other duties as assigned or required
- Compliance with ERM’s rigorous safety program
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field preferred
- Minimum of 5 years of Principal Investigator experience in Great Basin archaeological fieldwork
- Be permitted as a NV BLM Principal Investigator Statewide for Prehistoric and Historic
- Experience with mitigation for infrastructure projects
- Strong familiarity with Section 106, NHPA, and BLM, NV, and ID agency permitting requirements
- Ability to identify prehistoric and historic-period archaeological materials and features
- Experience using GPS units, Survey123, ArcGIS, or similar field data collection tools
- Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record
- Ability to work safely in active construction environments and outdoor field conditions
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree required
- Qualification under the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards (36 CFR Part 61) in Archaeology
- Experience working in remote areas for extended periods
- Demonstrated ability to support projects requiring sustained field engagement
- Experience working alongside Native American tribal monitors
- Permittable as PI for ID BLM
- OSHA 10- or 30-hour construction safety training
- Wilderness and Remote First Aid Training
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position is field-intensive and may involve:
- Long hours in outdoor environments and temperature extremes
- Walking or hiking on uneven terrain while carrying field equipment
- Working in active construction sites around heavy equipment
Candidates must be physically capable of performing required field duties safely.
PAY TRANSPARENCY
For the Principal Investigator position, we anticipate the annual base pay of $89,900 – $126,200, $43.22/hr – $60.67/hr USD, limited-term, non-exempt. An employee’s pay position within this range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, and business or organizational needs. We also may have instances where employee’s fall outside of the range based on the factors noted above. This job may be eligible for bonus pay (casual and fixed term/Flexforce employees are NOT bonus eligible).
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life & disability insurance to benefits eligible employees.
Benefits Eligibility is limited to Regular employees regularly scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week. Fixed-Term employees (including Flexforce) who are regularly scheduled to work 20 hours a week or more are eligible for a limited benefits package. Casual employees are NOT benefits eligible. See your recruiter for more details.
You can apply for this role through https://www.erm.com/careers/apply/ or through the internal careers portal if you are a current employee.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, determinable, and payable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.
WHO WE ARE
As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.
At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.
Please submit your resume and brief cover letter. Based on review of these responses, shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.
ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
Thank you for your interest in ERM!
See all 86+ Green Card Principal Investigator Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Green Card Principal Investigator Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship in Principal Investigator
Document your advanced degree for PERM
PERM requires your employer to define the minimum requirements for the PI role in the job description. If your position requires a doctorate, make sure your transcripts, degree certificates, and any foreign credential evaluations are ready before the recruitment phase begins.
Target research institutions with established PERM history
Universities, NIH-funded research centers, and large biopharma companies file PERM regularly for PI-level roles. Use DOL's OFLC Wage Search to identify employers that have filed PERM applications in your occupational category before approaching them.
Search verified green card sponsors on Migrate Mate
Find PI positions at employers with confirmed green card sponsorship history using Migrate Mate, which lists U.S. employers that have sponsored employment-based permanent residence, searchable by occupation and location.
Align your O*NET occupation code early
Your employer's PERM job description must match the actual duties of the PI role. Cross-reference the duties listed in your offer letter against the O*NET occupation profile for your field to flag mismatches before DOL reviews the application.
Understand how priority dates affect your timeline
If you were born in India or China, your EB-2 or EB-3 priority date may face a significant backlog. File the I-140 as early as your employer's counsel allows so your priority date is established, even if the I-485 can't be filed immediately.
Use AC21 portability if you change labs after filing
Once your I-485 has been pending 180 days or more, AC21 portability lets you move to a new PI role in the same or similar occupation without restarting the green card process. Confirm the new role's duties align with your original PERM job description before accepting any offer.
Green Card Principal Investigator: Frequently Asked Questions
Which green card category fits Principal Investigator roles?
Most PI positions qualify under EB-2 because the role typically requires a doctorate or master's degree plus substantial research experience. EB-3 is an alternative when the employer structures the role as a professional position requiring a bachelor's degree. Your employer's immigration counsel will confirm the correct category based on the actual minimum requirements in the PERM job description.
How is green card sponsorship different from H-1B for a PI?
H-1B visa provides temporary work authorization and requires renewal every few years. Green card sponsorship through PERM, I-140, and adjustment of status leads to lawful permanent residence with no renewal requirement. The PERM process also involves a DOL-supervised recruitment test and prevailing wage determination, which H-1B does not require. Priority-date backlogs mean the total timeline varies significantly by country of birth.
What does the PERM recruitment test mean for a PI applicant?
PERM requires your employer to run a genuine recruitment campaign for the position and document that no qualified U.S. workers applied. As an applicant, you don't control this step, but delays or recruitment challenges can stall the filing. Employers at research universities and established biopharma companies typically have dedicated immigration teams experienced with PI-level PERM filings.
How do I find employers who sponsor green cards for PI roles?
Migrate Mate lists U.S. employers with verified employment-based sponsorship history, searchable by occupation and location. You can also cross-reference DOL's OFLC Wage Search for employers that have filed PERM applications in research and life-sciences occupational categories to build a targeted list of labs, universities, and companies with an established sponsorship track record.
Can I change institutions after my I-140 is approved?
Yes, in two distinct ways. If your I-485 has been pending 180 days or more, AC21 portability allows you to move to a new PI role in the same or similar occupation without restarting the process. Separately, an approved I-140 priority date can often be carried over to a new employer's I-140 petition, preserving your place in the queue even if you switch institutions before filing the I-485.