Green Card Research Program Manager Jobs
Research Program Manager jobs with green card sponsorship are available through employers willing to file PERM labor certification, then sponsor an I-140 petition for permanent residence under EB-2 or EB-3. These roles typically qualify under EB-2 given the advanced-degree requirements and strategic oversight responsibilities central to research program management.
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Get Access To All JobsDepartment NC Collaboratory-221010
Career Area Research Professionals
Posting Open Date 11/06/2026
Application Deadline 11/30/2026
Open Until Filled No
Position Type Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
Working Title Research Program Manager - NC Collaboratory
Appointment Type EHRA Non-Faculty
Position Number 20079380
Vacancy ID NF0010184
Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Permanent
FTE 1
Hours per week 40
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range Dependent on experience and qualifications
Proposed Start Date 12/14/2026
Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
This department includes the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill. The Collaboratory disseminates the policy and research expertise of the University for practical use by state and local government. A collaboratory is a center without walls in which researchers can perform their research without regard to physical location, interacting with colleagues, accessing instrumentation, sharing data and computational resources and accessing information in digital libraries in a collaborative manner.
Position Summary
A SIGN-ON BONUS IS AVAILABLE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT OF THIS POSITION PAID IN 2 INSTALLMENTS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF HIRE:
WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE DATE & 12 MONTHS AFTER HIRE DATE.
This position supports the NC Collaboratory’s social science research portfolio by monitoring and coordinating project activities within a defined scope, budget, schedule, and deliverables. The Research Program Manager will support the Social Sciences team to develop plans, manage communication while serving as a point of contact for administrators, contractors, stakeholders, and external audiences.
The NC Collaboratory develops research initiatives that target a pressing policy issue or problem of practice faced by policymakers and practitioners at the State and local level in North Carolina, and awards funding to support mutually beneficial partnerships between academic research teams and partners in local governments, community organizations and State agencies. The Social Sciences team currently manages studies on a wide range of topics in the social sciences, including K-12 education, opioid remediation, foster care, mental health and criminal justice, economic development, and local government issues. All of these studies aim to generate practical research findings that could help advance policy and practice related to these issues. Due to the dynamic nature of Collaboratory’s research portfolio, future research project topics may expand to new areas within social sciences. The position will assist the Collaboratory Research Director in supporting, coordinating, and managing new, complex research programs involving extensive government and community engagement, as well as strong public interest.
The Research Program Manager will support the Social Sciences team by working with research teams to establish milestones, manage project scopes, and track performance to ensure milestones are met and documented. This position will aid in developing communication materials, organizing meetings to share insights and address issues, and implementing best practices for research-practice partnerships.
In collaboration with the Social Sciences team and leadership teams from partner entities, the Research Program Manager will help develop research plans and review proposals for new partnership-based studies. Other duties include grant management activities for these research studies, including scheduling and leading meetings, tracking activities and progress, identifying and troubleshooting problems, overseeing budgets, expenditures, timelines and deliverables. The Research Program Manager identifies and obtains resources such as meeting venues and supplies, developing reports, presentations and other communication materials to share progress and achievements to stakeholders.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Master’s degree in the in a related field of study (e.g., MPP, MPA, MPH, JD, MA) is required.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information, synthesize research findings, and develop clear, evidence-informed recommendations for policymakers and other stakeholders.
- Experience preparing professional written products, such as policy briefs, research reports, legislative or program analyses, evaluation reports, executive summaries, presentations, or other decision-support materials.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate technical or academic information for nontechnical audiences.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, organize competing priorities, and work independently and collaboratively.
- Experience translating academic research findings into concise, accessible public communication, such as policy briefs.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to accuracy, objectivity, and ethical research practices.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
- Experience conducting policy research, program evaluation, social science research, or applied quantitative and/or qualitative analysis.
- Project, grant, or program management experience within a public institution (e.g., State agency) or community organization. Proven ability to support research-practice partnerships.
- Experience with research design, data collection, data interpretation, and methods appropriate to social science or public policy research.
- Experience working in or with a state/local government agency, legislative office, public university, nonprofit organization, research center, or other public-sector policy environment.
- Experience analyzing North Carolina state policies, programs, budgets, administrative data, or legislative priorities. Knowledge of social policy issues relevant to North Carolina, especially K-12 education, health care and mental health, child welfare, or criminal justice.
- Experience with program evaluation, implementation research, outcomes measurement, performance management, or evidence-based policymaking.
- Experience conducting or interpreting qualitative research, including interviews, focus groups, document analysis, stakeholder engagement, or thematic analysis.
- Experience managing or supporting grant-funded research or policy projects, including proposal development, budgeting, compliance monitoring, reporting, deliverable tracking, and coordination with funders and project partners.
The ideal candidate is enthusiastic, conscientious, a responsible steward of taxpayer-funded dollars, eager to work with multiple cross-sector teams, and has experience with navigating challenging conversations and mediating conflict between team members and partners from different sectors.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
Department NC Collaboratory-221010
Career Area Research Professionals
Posting Open Date 11/06/2026
Application Deadline 11/30/2026
Open Until Filled No
Position Type Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
Working Title Research Program Manager - NC Collaboratory
Appointment Type EHRA Non-Faculty
Position Number 20079380
Vacancy ID NF0010184
Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Permanent
FTE 1
Hours per week 40
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range Dependent on experience and qualifications
Proposed Start Date 12/14/2026
Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
This department includes the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill. The Collaboratory disseminates the policy and research expertise of the University for practical use by state and local government. A collaboratory is a center without walls in which researchers can perform their research without regard to physical location, interacting with colleagues, accessing instrumentation, sharing data and computational resources and accessing information in digital libraries in a collaborative manner.
Position Summary
A SIGN-ON BONUS IS AVAILABLE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT OF THIS POSITION PAID IN 2 INSTALLMENTS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF HIRE:
WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE DATE & 12 MONTHS AFTER HIRE DATE.
This position supports the NC Collaboratory’s social science research portfolio by monitoring and coordinating project activities within a defined scope, budget, schedule, and deliverables. The Research Program Manager will support the Social Sciences team to develop plans, manage communication while serving as a point of contact for administrators, contractors, stakeholders, and external audiences.
The NC Collaboratory develops research initiatives that target a pressing policy issue or problem of practice faced by policymakers and practitioners at the State and local level in North Carolina, and awards funding to support mutually beneficial partnerships between academic research teams and partners in local governments, community organizations and State agencies. The Social Sciences team currently manages studies on a wide range of topics in the social sciences, including K-12 education, opioid remediation, foster care, mental health and criminal justice, economic development, and local government issues. All of these studies aim to generate practical research findings that could help advance policy and practice related to these issues. Due to the dynamic nature of Collaboratory’s research portfolio, future research project topics may expand to new areas within social sciences. The position will assist the Collaboratory Research Director in supporting, coordinating, and managing new, complex research programs involving extensive government and community engagement, as well as strong public interest.
The Research Program Manager will support the Social Sciences team by working with research teams to establish milestones, manage project scopes, and track performance to ensure milestones are met and documented. This position will aid in developing communication materials, organizing meetings to share insights and address issues, and implementing best practices for research-practice partnerships.
In collaboration with the Social Sciences team and leadership teams from partner entities, the Research Program Manager will help develop research plans and review proposals for new partnership-based studies. Other duties include grant management activities for these research studies, including scheduling and leading meetings, tracking activities and progress, identifying and troubleshooting problems, overseeing budgets, expenditures, timelines and deliverables. The Research Program Manager identifies and obtains resources such as meeting venues and supplies, developing reports, presentations and other communication materials to share progress and achievements to stakeholders.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Master’s degree in the in a related field of study (e.g., MPP, MPA, MPH, JD, MA) is required.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information, synthesize research findings, and develop clear, evidence-informed recommendations for policymakers and other stakeholders.
- Experience preparing professional written products, such as policy briefs, research reports, legislative or program analyses, evaluation reports, executive summaries, presentations, or other decision-support materials.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate technical or academic information for nontechnical audiences.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, organize competing priorities, and work independently and collaboratively.
- Experience translating academic research findings into concise, accessible public communication, such as policy briefs.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to accuracy, objectivity, and ethical research practices.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
- Experience conducting policy research, program evaluation, social science research, or applied quantitative and/or qualitative analysis.
- Project, grant, or program management experience within a public institution (e.g., State agency) or community organization. Proven ability to support research-practice partnerships.
- Experience with research design, data collection, data interpretation, and methods appropriate to social science or public policy research.
- Experience working in or with a state/local government agency, legislative office, public university, nonprofit organization, research center, or other public-sector policy environment.
- Experience analyzing North Carolina state policies, programs, budgets, administrative data, or legislative priorities. Knowledge of social policy issues relevant to North Carolina, especially K-12 education, health care and mental health, child welfare, or criminal justice.
- Experience with program evaluation, implementation research, outcomes measurement, performance management, or evidence-based policymaking.
- Experience conducting or interpreting qualitative research, including interviews, focus groups, document analysis, stakeholder engagement, or thematic analysis.
- Experience managing or supporting grant-funded research or policy projects, including proposal development, budgeting, compliance monitoring, reporting, deliverable tracking, and coordination with funders and project partners.
The ideal candidate is enthusiastic, conscientious, a responsible steward of taxpayer-funded dollars, eager to work with multiple cross-sector teams, and has experience with navigating challenging conversations and mediating conflict between team members and partners from different sectors.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as a Research Program Manager
Document your advanced degree credentials early
PERM labor certification requires your employer to verify your qualifications match the job requirements. Gather official transcripts, degree equivalency evaluations for foreign credentials, and a credential assessment from a NACES-approved evaluator before your sponsor files with DOL.
Target research institutions with established PERM pipelines
Universities, federal contractors, and NIH-funded research centers file PERM for Research Program Managers regularly. These organizations have HR teams experienced with the recruitment test DOL requires, which reduces delays caused by sponsor inexperience with the process.
Search Migrate Mate for verified green card sponsoring employers
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with confirmed employment-based green card sponsorship history for research and program management roles, searchable by location and occupation, so you're targeting companies already familiar with the PERM process for your specific role type.
Align your O*NET occupation code during PERM filing
Your employer must accurately classify your role using the correct O*NET occupation code when requesting a prevailing wage determination from OFLC. Misclassification between research administration and general management can delay DOL certification or trigger an audit.
Negotiate PERM filing timing into your offer discussion
Green card sponsorship timelines depend on when your employer initiates PERM. Ask directly whether the organization starts the process at hire or after a waiting period, since delays of one or two years can significantly affect your priority date and overall residency timeline.
Understand AC21 portability before you start the I-485 stage
Once your I-485 adjustment-of-status application has been pending 180 days or more, AC21 portability lets you change to a same-or-similar occupation without restarting the process. Research program management roles are broadly classified, so a future move within the field can often qualify.
Green Card Research Program Manager: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Program Manager role qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
Most Research Program Manager positions qualify under EB-2 because they require a master's degree or a bachelor's degree plus five years of progressive experience in a research or program management field. If the role accepts a bachelor's degree with standard experience, EB-3 professional classification applies. Your employer's PERM labor certification filing specifies the minimum requirements, which determines the category used.
How does green card sponsorship for this role differ from H-1B sponsorship?
H-1B visa is temporary nonimmigrant status requiring renewal and tied to a specific employer. Green card sponsorship through PERM leads to lawful permanent residence. The process involves a prevailing wage determination from DOL, a formal recruitment test to demonstrate no qualified U.S. workers are available, and an I-140 immigrant petition filed with USCIS. Per-country numerical limits mean nationals from India and China can face significant priority-date backlogs regardless of when PERM is certified.
How do I find employers who sponsor green cards for Research Program Manager roles?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified employment-based green card sponsorship history, searchable by role type and location, so you can focus on organizations that have already navigated the PERM process for research and program management positions. This saves significant time compared to cold-applying to employers who may have no sponsorship infrastructure in place.
What does the PERM recruitment test mean for my job search as a foreign national?
Before DOL certifies the PERM application, your employer must advertise the Research Program Manager position through specific channels and document that no minimally qualified U.S. workers applied. You cannot apply to those job postings yourself during the recruitment test period. This means the sponsoring employer must be committed to you specifically before the PERM process begins, making the upfront conversation about sponsorship intent critical.
Can I change employers after my green card process has started?
AC21 job portability applies once your I-485 has been pending for at least 180 days and the new role is in the same or a substantially similar occupation. Separately, a priority date from an approved I-140 can carry over to a new employer's I-140 petition. Research program management is broadly classified, so transitions within the field often qualify, but confirm the occupational similarity with your new employer's immigration counsel before making a move.