Research Green Card Jobs
Research roles in academia, biotech, and government agencies regularly sponsor foreign professionals for EB-2 and EB-3 green cards through the PERM labor certification process. Many research institutions qualify as cap-exempt employers, which can accelerate your path to permanent sponsorship without lottery exposure.
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Get Access To All JobsAPPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
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CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
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CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
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If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The laboratory of Dr. Andrew Kowalczyk in The Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, is seeking a full-time Researcher to work on campus in Hershey, PA.
The Kowalczyk laboratory currently has two major lines of investigation into the cell biology of adhesion complexes in the skin. We require an advanced cell biologist with experience in adhesion and skin biology to direct these projects under Dr. Kowalczyk's overall supervision. Duties include data generation, supervision of students and technicians, and communicating our findings through manuscripts and presentations at National and International conferences.
A PhD or MD in cell biology or a related discipline with experience in the biology of cell-cell adhesion research is required. Applicants with deep experience in cell imaging and biochemistry of cell adhesion molecules will be given preference. Candidate must provide proof of having ABD status for a PhD in Cell Biology or a related discipline by the time of hire.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.
For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
-
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The laboratory of Dr. Andrew Kowalczyk in The Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, is seeking a full-time Researcher to work on campus in Hershey, PA.
The Kowalczyk laboratory currently has two major lines of investigation into the cell biology of adhesion complexes in the skin. We require an advanced cell biologist with experience in adhesion and skin biology to direct these projects under Dr. Kowalczyk's overall supervision. Duties include data generation, supervision of students and technicians, and communicating our findings through manuscripts and presentations at National and International conferences.
A PhD or MD in cell biology or a related discipline with experience in the biology of cell-cell adhesion research is required. Applicants with deep experience in cell imaging and biochemistry of cell adhesion molecules will be given preference. Candidate must provide proof of having ABD status for a PhD in Cell Biology or a related discipline by the time of hire.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.
For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
See all 11,616+ Research jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship in Research
Document your research credentials before applying
Gather published papers, conference presentations, grants awarded, and institutional affiliations now. PERM petitions for research roles often require demonstrating specialized expertise, and well-organized credential records speed up your employer's USCIS filing.
Target universities and federal research institutions first
Academic medical centers, national labs like NIH-funded facilities, and R1 universities file PERM petitions regularly for research staff. These institutions have in-house immigration counsel familiar with EB-2 National Interest Waiver pathways alongside standard EB-3 sponsorship.
Verify whether your role qualifies for EB-2 over EB-3
Research scientist and principal investigator positions often meet EB-2's advanced-degree requirement. Check the O*NET occupation profile for your specific research title to confirm the typical education level and support your classification argument with your employer.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for employers with PERM filing history
Searching by job title alone won't tell you which research employers have actually sponsored green cards before. Migrate Mate surfaces PERM and I-140 filing history by employer, so you're targeting organizations already familiar with the sponsorship process.
Ask about PERM timelines during the offer negotiation stage
DOL's PERM processing currently runs nine months or longer for standard applications. Confirming your prospective employer's willingness to file promptly after your H-1B start date protects your long-term status and keeps green card eligibility on track.
Confirm prevailing wage classification before your PERM is filed
Your employer must submit a prevailing wage request to OFLC before advertising the position. Cross-check the wage level assigned using the OFLC Wage Search to ensure your offered salary and job duties align with the correct SOC code for your research role.
Research jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Research JobsResearch Green Card Sponsorship: Frequently Asked Questions
Which green card category covers most research positions?
Most research roles fall under EB-2 if they require a master's degree or higher in a specific scientific or technical field, or EB-3 if a bachelor's degree is the standard requirement. Principal investigators and senior scientists often qualify for EB-2, while research assistants and coordinators are more commonly sponsored under EB-3. Your employer's immigration counsel will make the final determination based on your job duties and degree.
How does PERM green card sponsorship differ from H-1B for research roles?
H-1B is a temporary nonimmigrant status subject to an annual cap and lottery, while PERM-based green card sponsorship leads to permanent residency with no annual cap at the EB-3 level for most nationalities. For research professionals, PERM also has no lottery risk and, once an I-140 is approved, your priority date is locked in even if you change employers. The trade-off is a longer overall timeline, often two to four years from PERM filing to green card issuance.
Do academic and nonprofit research employers have any sponsorship advantages?
Yes. Universities, nonprofit research institutes, and government agencies are cap-exempt for H-1B purposes, which means they can file outside the April lottery window. Many of these same employers also have established PERM and EB-2 National Interest Waiver pipelines, making them well-suited to sponsor foreign research professionals efficiently. Some research roles at these institutions may also qualify for EB-1B extraordinary-ability petitions, skipping the PERM labor market test entirely.
How can I find research employers that have sponsored green cards before?
PERM and I-140 filing records are public, but manually parsing DOL disclosure files is time-consuming. Migrate Mate aggregates that data so you can search research job listings filtered by verified PERM sponsorship history. Targeting employers with an established track record reduces the risk of accepting an offer from an organization unfamiliar with the sponsorship process.
Can I change research employers after my I-140 is approved?
Yes. Under AC21 portability rules, once your I-140 has been approved and your adjustment of status application has been pending for 180 days or more, you can move to a new employer in the same or similar occupational classification without losing your priority date. For research professionals, this means a position in the same scientific discipline typically qualifies, but your new employer's immigration counsel should confirm the SOC code alignment before you make the switch.
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