Green Card Research Director Jobs
Research Director roles qualify for EB-2 sponsorship when the position requires an advanced degree in a scientific or technical field, and for EB-3 when the employer can document that a bachelor's degree is the standard entry requirement. PERM labor certification is typically required before the I-140 petition, making employer commitment to the sponsorship process a key factor in your search.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
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 in Research Director
Document your research leadership credentials early
PERM requires your employer to define minimum qualifications before advertising the role. Compile peer-reviewed publications, grant awards, and team leadership records now so your credentials match the job description before the DOL audit process begins.
Target employers with dedicated research divisions
Universities, federal contractors, pharmaceutical companies, and national laboratories routinely sponsor Research Directors through PERM because their legal and HR teams already understand the process. Organizations sponsoring for the first time face steeper timelines and higher denial risk.
Clarify which EB category your role qualifies for
If your Research Director position requires a master's or doctorate as a standard industry requirement, your employer can file under EB-2, which can shorten the green card wait for many nationalities. Confirm this with the hiring team before accepting an offer.
Search for green card sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters Research Director openings by employers with active PERM and I-140 filing history, so you're applying to organizations that have already committed to employment-based sponsorship rather than those still deciding whether they will.
Verify prevailing wage before salary negotiations begin
DOL requires your employer to pay the PERM-certified prevailing wage for your role, location, and experience level. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the current wage for Research Director positions in your target city before your offer conversation.
Ask your employer about concurrent I-485 filing eligibility
If your priority date is current when the I-140 is approved, you and your employer can file the I-485 adjustment of status concurrently with USCIS, which lets you obtain work authorization and travel flexibility while the green card is pending.
Green Card Research Director: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Director role typically qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 sponsorship?
Most Research Director positions qualify for EB-2 because they require a master's degree or doctorate as a standard entry-level requirement, which satisfies USCIS's advanced-degree professional category. If the employer documents only a bachelor's degree as the minimum, EB-3 applies. The distinction matters because EB-2 can reduce your priority date wait for nationals of oversubscribed countries.
How does green card sponsorship differ from H-1B for Research Director roles?
H-1B visa is a temporary, employer-tied status subject to an annual lottery and a six-year cap. Green card sponsorship through PERM and an I-140 petition leads to permanent residency with no annual cap at the petition stage. The process takes longer, often two to four years from PERM filing to approval, but the result is permanent authorization that is not tied to a single employer once you reach the I-485 stage.
What does the PERM process look like for a Research Director position?
Your employer files a PERM application with DOL after conducting a regulated recruitment campaign to confirm no qualified U.S. workers are available for the role. DOL then certifies or audits the application. Audit rates for specialized research positions can be high because DOL scrutinizes whether the job requirements are genuinely tied to the role rather than tailored to a foreign national's specific background.
How can I find Research Director jobs where the employer will sponsor a green card?
Migrate Mate lets you filter Research Director openings by employers with documented PERM and I-140 filing history, which removes the guesswork of approaching organizations that have never sponsored before. Employers already experienced with PERM for research roles move faster, set accurate timeline expectations, and are less likely to withdraw sponsorship mid-process.
Can I change employers after my I-140 is approved but before I receive my green card?
Yes, once your I-140 has been approved for at least 180 days and your I-485 is pending, you can change to a same or similar occupational role under AC21 portability without restarting the process. Research Director and related senior research management roles generally qualify as same or similar under O*NET occupational classifications, but you should confirm the specific job codes with your immigration attorney.