Research Intern Green Card Jobs
Research Intern roles at U.S. universities, federal agencies, and R&D firms can qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship through PERM labor certification when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific scientific or technical field. Securing sponsorship typically depends on your employer's willingness to file and the degree-to-role match USCIS requires.
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Get Access To All JobsRequisition # 942
Position Basics
Advertising Ends on: Tuesday, June 16th, 2026
Advertising Started on: Thursday, April 23rd, 2026
College: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Department: Psychological and Brain Sciences
Salary
Salary: $39,530.00 - $39,530.00
Position Details
Full/Part Time Status: Full Time
Percent Time: 100%
Position Description:
Postbaccalaureate Researcher - Cognitive Neuroscience
The Hwang Lab for Neurocognitive Dynamics at the University of Iowa is hiring a paid, full-time post-baccalaureate research assistant to support our human cognitive neuroscience projects. Our lab focuses on brain network mechanisms, cognitive control, and neuromodulation, with an emphasis on the human thalamocortical system and executive functions. Our lab incorporates various human neuroscience methods, including EEG, brain stimulation, MRI, and computational modeling. More information can be found on our website: https://kaihwang.github.io/.
The research assistant will be responsible for:
- Conducting cognitive neuroscience research under the supervision of the lab director and senior members.
- Performing EEG and behavioral experiments, conducting TUS and MRI experiments, and collecting data.
- Assisting with neuroimaging data analysis.
- Recruiting and scheduling research participants.
- Managing lab tasks and contributing to other research-related activities.
This position is ideal for someone aiming to pursue a research career. For more details, see https://research.uiowa.edu/students/post-baccalaureate-research-internship. Training and mentorship will be provided.
Education Requirement:
Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, or a related field.
Required Qualifications:
- At least two years of research experience.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, strong organizational skills, and careful attention to detail.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Previous research experience in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, or cognitive science.
- Experience with scripting languages such as Python or Matlab.
Online Application Required Documents
- Resume
- Name and Contact Information of References
- Letter of Interest
Number of References: 2
To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.
Contact Information
Contact: Kai Hwang - kai-hwang@uiowa.edu
Clas-Psychological Brain Sci
Psychological and Brain Sciences Building
340 Iowa Avenue
377 PBSB
Iowa City, IA 52242-1210
Department URL: https://kaihwang.github.io/
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu, to inquire or discuss accommodation needs.
Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at 319/335-5022.
Requisition # 942
Position Basics
Advertising Ends on: Tuesday, June 16th, 2026
Advertising Started on: Thursday, April 23rd, 2026
College: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Department: Psychological and Brain Sciences
Salary
Salary: $39,530.00 - $39,530.00
Position Details
Full/Part Time Status: Full Time
Percent Time: 100%
Position Description:
Postbaccalaureate Researcher - Cognitive Neuroscience
The Hwang Lab for Neurocognitive Dynamics at the University of Iowa is hiring a paid, full-time post-baccalaureate research assistant to support our human cognitive neuroscience projects. Our lab focuses on brain network mechanisms, cognitive control, and neuromodulation, with an emphasis on the human thalamocortical system and executive functions. Our lab incorporates various human neuroscience methods, including EEG, brain stimulation, MRI, and computational modeling. More information can be found on our website: https://kaihwang.github.io/.
The research assistant will be responsible for:
- Conducting cognitive neuroscience research under the supervision of the lab director and senior members.
- Performing EEG and behavioral experiments, conducting TUS and MRI experiments, and collecting data.
- Assisting with neuroimaging data analysis.
- Recruiting and scheduling research participants.
- Managing lab tasks and contributing to other research-related activities.
This position is ideal for someone aiming to pursue a research career. For more details, see https://research.uiowa.edu/students/post-baccalaureate-research-internship. Training and mentorship will be provided.
Education Requirement:
Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, or a related field.
Required Qualifications:
- At least two years of research experience.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, strong organizational skills, and careful attention to detail.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Previous research experience in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, or cognitive science.
- Experience with scripting languages such as Python or Matlab.
Online Application Required Documents
- Resume
- Name and Contact Information of References
- Letter of Interest
Number of References: 2
To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.
Contact Information
Contact: Kai Hwang - kai-hwang@uiowa.edu
Clas-Psychological Brain Sci
Psychological and Brain Sciences Building
340 Iowa Avenue
377 PBSB
Iowa City, IA 52242-1210
Department URL: https://kaihwang.github.io/
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu, to inquire or discuss accommodation needs.
Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at 319/335-5022.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as a Research Intern
Align your degree to the role description
PERM requires your degree field to directly match the job's stated requirements. A biochemistry degree supporting a molecular biology research role clears this bar; a general science degree for a narrowly defined position may not. Review the SOC code the employer plans to use before accepting any offer.
Target employers with existing PERM infrastructure
Universities, national laboratories, and large pharmaceutical or biotech firms already have immigration counsel and PERM filing workflows. Smaller startups often sponsor their first green card with you, which adds months of legal setup time before DOL even receives the application.
Search green card sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Filter Research Intern openings by employers with active EB-2 and EB-3 PERM filing history on Migrate Mate. You'll see which organizations have actually sponsored research roles, not just those that say they're open to it.
Understand the prevailing wage requirement before negotiating
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your role and location. Look up your position's wage level using the OFLC Wage Search before salary discussions. Accepting below prevailing wage invalidates the PERM filing, regardless of what you agreed to.
Ask about PERM timeline during the offer stage
PERM labor certification at DOL currently averages well over a year for analyst-reviewed applications. Confirm whether your employer plans to start the process during your internship or only after conversion to a full-time role, since most intern PERM filings are tied to a permanent position.
Build a credential file that survives RFE scrutiny
Gather transcripts, published papers, conference presentations, and supervisor letters before your employer files. USCIS issues Requests for Evidence on I-140 petitions for research roles when the specialty occupation connection is unclear, and a strong credential file reduces that risk substantially.
Research Intern jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Research Intern JobsResearch Intern Green Card Sponsorship: Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Research Intern role qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
Yes, if the position requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific field such as biology, chemistry, computer science, or a related discipline. EB-3 covers professionals meeting that threshold. EB-2 applies when the role requires an advanced degree or the candidate has specialized credentials that place them above the standard degree requirement. The employer's job description and your qualifications both factor into which category applies.
How does EB-3 green card sponsorship differ from H-1B for Research Intern positions?
H-1B is a temporary status subject to an annual lottery and a six-year cap; EB-3 leads to permanent residency with no lottery and no annual numerical limit on petitions filed. The tradeoff is time: PERM labor certification, I-140 approval, and visa availability can take two to five years depending on your country of birth. For most nationalities outside India and China, EB-3 priority dates move quickly, making it a more predictable path than H-1B for research professionals.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor green cards for Research Interns?
R1 research universities, federally funded national laboratories, large pharmaceutical companies, and established biotech firms sponsor research roles most consistently because they maintain in-house immigration teams. Federal contractors subject to E-Verify are also accustomed to employment-based sponsorship workflows. Use Migrate Mate to filter Research Intern listings by employers with verified PERM filing history so you can focus your applications on organizations that have actually followed through on sponsorship.
What does PERM labor certification require for a research role?
The employer must conduct a DOL-supervised recruitment process showing no qualified U.S. workers applied for the position. For research roles, this typically includes job postings, campus recruitment steps, and documentation of candidate review. The job duties and minimum requirements in the PERM application must match the actual role exactly. DOL then certifies the application, after which the employer files an I-140 petition with USCIS to establish your priority date.
Can my employer start the PERM process while I am still in an internship position?
PERM is almost always filed for a permanent, full-time position rather than a temporary internship. Most employers begin the process after converting you to a permanent research role. Some employers file concurrently with a conversion offer to save time. Clarify this in writing during your offer negotiation so the timeline is agreed on before you start, not discovered after your internship ends.
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