Green Card Principal Scientist Jobs
Principal Scientist roles at biotech, pharmaceutical, and research organizations routinely qualify for EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through the PERM labor certification process. Employers must document that no qualified U.S. worker is available before filing your I-140 petition, making your specialized research credentials and publication record central to a successful case.
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The Biologics Research Center, Structural Biologics department is looking for a highly motivated Principal Scientist to support experimental structural biology across multiple biotherapeutic programs. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in all aspects of the gene to structure pipeline including the acquisition and interpretation of structural biology data from X-ray crystallography and/or CryoEM. The candidate will be part of multidisciplinary teams that support early to late stage biotherapeutic drug discovery programs by providing structural data and protein engineering support. They will use their experience in the gene-to-structure pipeline to address the challenges of high-resolution structure determination to support the design of novel biotherapeutics capable of addressing the next generation of biomedical applications.
About The Role
Internal Job Title: Principal Scientist I
Position Location: San Diego, CA onsite
The Biologics Research Center, Structural Biologics department is looking for a highly motivated Principal Scientist to support experimental structural biology across multiple biotherapeutic programs. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in all aspects of the gene to structure pipeline including the acquisition and interpretation of structural biology data from X-ray crystallography and/or CryoEM. The candidate will be part of multidisciplinary teams that support early to late stage biotherapeutic drug discovery programs by providing structural data and protein engineering support. They will use their experience in the gene-to-structure pipeline to address the challenges of high-resolution structure determination to support the design of novel biotherapeutics capable of addressing the next generation of biomedical applications.
Your Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To
- Design, troubleshooting and execution of experiments to determine the structure of multi-protein complexes by X-ray crystallography or CryoEM with an aim to support the design and development of novel biotherapeutics.
- Working closely across experimental and computational groups to address key scientific questions.
- Communication of results to multidisciplinary teams across the larger Novartis research organization.
- Prioritization, coordination and efficient time management of experimental deliverables.
- Mentor junior scientists, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence. Contribute to overall strategy in the structural biology group.
- Awareness of the external technology landscape and its application to biotherapeutic drug development.
- Participation as structural biology representative on drug discovery and technology project teams, contributing to overall project strategy with accountability within the project for own area of expertise.
Essential Requirements
- PhD degree in biophysics, biochemistry, or related discipline with a proven record in experimental structural biology.
- 3+ years experience (Postdoc or industry experience) in common protein purification methods (Affinity, IMAC, SEC) and molecular biology techniques (cloning, DNA isolation, transformation, etc.).
- Interest in using AI/ML methods in a structural biology context.
- Demonstrated independent thought/creativity in science with attention to details.
- Proven ability in structural biology methods (either X-ray crystallography and/or CryoEM, both preferred) including protein crystallization, crystal optimization, CryoEM sample and grid preparation, data acquisition, map generation and structure solution.
- Demonstrated problem-solving capability for challenging structural biology projects, with expertise in developing protocols for dealing with novel protein targets.
- High degree of self-motivation and attention to detail.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Desire to learn/operate across numerous functions (expression, purification, analytics, structural biology, and computational modelling).
Desired Requirements
- Experience with using AI-based techniques to facilitate protein construct design, engineering and protein structure prediction is preferred.
- Familiarity with analytical and biophysical methods (light scattering, ITC, DSC, LCMS, anSEC, etc.) and laboratory automation is highly desirable.
The salary for this position is expected to range between $108,500 and $201,500 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.
To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.
Why Novartis:
Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?
Benefits and Rewards:
Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally. Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)
EEO Statement
The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations
The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
Summary
The Biologics Research Center, Structural Biologics department is looking for a highly motivated Principal Scientist to support experimental structural biology across multiple biotherapeutic programs. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in all aspects of the gene to structure pipeline including the acquisition and interpretation of structural biology data from X-ray crystallography and/or CryoEM. The candidate will be part of multidisciplinary teams that support early to late stage biotherapeutic drug discovery programs by providing structural data and protein engineering support. They will use their experience in the gene-to-structure pipeline to address the challenges of high-resolution structure determination to support the design of novel biotherapeutics capable of addressing the next generation of biomedical applications.
About The Role
Internal Job Title: Principal Scientist I
Position Location: San Diego, CA onsite
The Biologics Research Center, Structural Biologics department is looking for a highly motivated Principal Scientist to support experimental structural biology across multiple biotherapeutic programs. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in all aspects of the gene to structure pipeline including the acquisition and interpretation of structural biology data from X-ray crystallography and/or CryoEM. The candidate will be part of multidisciplinary teams that support early to late stage biotherapeutic drug discovery programs by providing structural data and protein engineering support. They will use their experience in the gene-to-structure pipeline to address the challenges of high-resolution structure determination to support the design of novel biotherapeutics capable of addressing the next generation of biomedical applications.
Your Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To
- Design, troubleshooting and execution of experiments to determine the structure of multi-protein complexes by X-ray crystallography or CryoEM with an aim to support the design and development of novel biotherapeutics.
- Working closely across experimental and computational groups to address key scientific questions.
- Communication of results to multidisciplinary teams across the larger Novartis research organization.
- Prioritization, coordination and efficient time management of experimental deliverables.
- Mentor junior scientists, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence. Contribute to overall strategy in the structural biology group.
- Awareness of the external technology landscape and its application to biotherapeutic drug development.
- Participation as structural biology representative on drug discovery and technology project teams, contributing to overall project strategy with accountability within the project for own area of expertise.
Essential Requirements
- PhD degree in biophysics, biochemistry, or related discipline with a proven record in experimental structural biology.
- 3+ years experience (Postdoc or industry experience) in common protein purification methods (Affinity, IMAC, SEC) and molecular biology techniques (cloning, DNA isolation, transformation, etc.).
- Interest in using AI/ML methods in a structural biology context.
- Demonstrated independent thought/creativity in science with attention to details.
- Proven ability in structural biology methods (either X-ray crystallography and/or CryoEM, both preferred) including protein crystallization, crystal optimization, CryoEM sample and grid preparation, data acquisition, map generation and structure solution.
- Demonstrated problem-solving capability for challenging structural biology projects, with expertise in developing protocols for dealing with novel protein targets.
- High degree of self-motivation and attention to detail.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Desire to learn/operate across numerous functions (expression, purification, analytics, structural biology, and computational modelling).
Desired Requirements
- Experience with using AI-based techniques to facilitate protein construct design, engineering and protein structure prediction is preferred.
- Familiarity with analytical and biophysical methods (light scattering, ITC, DSC, LCMS, anSEC, etc.) and laboratory automation is highly desirable.
The salary for this position is expected to range between $108,500 and $201,500 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.
To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.
Why Novartis:
Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?
Benefits and Rewards:
Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally. Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)
EEO Statement
The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations
The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
See all 991+ Green Card Principal Scientist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as a Principal Scientist
Document your research contributions before applying
Compile peer-reviewed publications, patents, conference presentations, and grant awards into a single credentials portfolio. PERM audits for Principal Scientist roles frequently probe whether your specialized expertise is genuinely distinct from the general U.S. labor market.
Target employers with established PERM filing histories
Large pharmaceutical, biotech, and contract research organizations file PERM applications regularly and have internal immigration teams. Prioritize companies where sponsorship is a standard hiring practice, not a one-off exception you'd need to negotiate from scratch.
Clarify EB-2 versus EB-3 eligibility with your hiring manager
Principal Scientist roles typically require a Ph.D. or master's degree, which may support EB-2 classification. Whether your employer files EB-2 or EB-3 affects your priority date and wait time, especially if you're from India or China.
Use Migrate Mate to filter sponsoring employers by role
Search Principal Scientist positions filtered by green card sponsorship history on Migrate Mate. You'll see which employers have active PERM filings for research roles, saving weeks of manual outreach to companies that don't sponsor.
Negotiate job description language before the PERM is filed
The PERM labor certification locks in the minimum requirements for your role. If the posted job description overstates requirements or uses vague language, DOL may reject the application. Review the draft with your employer's immigration counsel before submission.
Understand how PERM timing affects your employment start date
PERM processing at DOL currently runs six to twelve months before your employer can file the I-140 petition. Factor this into your start-date negotiations so your work authorization doesn't lapse while the case moves through USCIS.
Green Card Principal Scientist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Principal Scientist role qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
Most Principal Scientist positions qualify for EB-2 because they require an advanced degree, typically a master's or Ph.D. in a life science, chemistry, or engineering discipline. If the employer's minimum requirement is a bachelor's degree with several years of experience, the role may be classified as EB-3 instead. Your employer's immigration counsel determines the category based on the actual job requirements documented in the PERM filing.
How is the PERM green card process different from H-1B sponsorship for Principal Scientists?
Unlike H-1B visa sponsorship, PERM leads to permanent residency rather than a temporary work visa, and there is no annual lottery. The tradeoff is time: PERM requires a DOL-supervised recruitment process to prove no qualified U.S. worker is available, followed by I-140 and adjustment of status filings. For Principal Scientists from most countries outside India and China, the entire process from PERM filing to green card approval can take two to four years.
Which employers sponsor Principal Scientists for green cards most often?
Pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, academic medical centers, and government contractors are the most consistent sponsors for Principal Scientist green cards. These organizations have recurring research hiring needs and established relationships with immigration law firms. Use Migrate Mate to search Principal Scientist roles specifically filtered by green card sponsorship activity, which surfaces employers with documented PERM filing histories for research-level positions.
What role do prevailing wage determinations play in a Principal Scientist PERM case?
Before filing the PERM application, your employer must obtain a prevailing wage determination from OFLC using the OFLC Wage Search tool. The wage assigned reflects the complexity and specialization of your Principal Scientist role. If your offered salary falls below the prevailing wage level, DOL will not certify the PERM. You can cross-reference wage levels for your occupation using O*NET occupation codes and Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Can my employer start the PERM process while I'm on an H-1B visa?
Yes, and starting early is strategically sound. Your employer can file the PERM while you're in H-1B status, and USCIS allows H-1B extensions beyond the standard six-year limit once your I-140 is approved and your priority date is not current. This means a Principal Scientist on H-1B can remain in valid status throughout a multi-year green card process without interruption, as long as the employer maintains the sponsorship.