Green Card Research Specialist Jobs
Research Specialist roles qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant scientific or technical field. Employers file PERM labor certification with DOL before sponsoring permanent residency, and research-focused institutions and biotech firms are among the most active sponsors.
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Get Access To All JobsUniversity Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Research Specialist C
Job Profile Title
Research Specialist C
Job Description Summary
The selected candidate will serve as a senior scientist and lab manager in the Goodman Lab for Synthetic Immunology. They will independently execute and optimize complex experimental workflows including flow cytometry, primary T cell engineering, and viral vector production; oversee lab operations and equipment; and contribute substantively to data interpretation, protocol development, and manuscript and grant preparation.
Position is contingent on grant funding support.
Job Responsibilities
- Operate and maintain lab equipment including the flow cytometer; independently perform flow cytometry experiments; troubleshoot instrument issues; train all lab members on operation
- Independently perform and optimize primary human T cell culture, activation, and lentiviral transduction; lead viral vector production (BSL-2 lentiviral and AAV)
- Conduct molecular cloning (Gibson Assembly, Golden Gate, restriction-ligation) and prepare sequencing libraries for high-throughput genomics
- Maintain lab organization, reagent inventory, and equipment; coordinate supply ordering, vendor relationships, and equipment service contracts
- Perform and coordinate in vivo mouse experiments (tumor injections, measurements, organ harvests, IV T cell transfers); liaise with ULAR
- Develop, document, and maintain lab protocols and SOPs (Benchling, Notion); onboard and train rotation students, postdocs, and undergrads
- Contribute to data analysis and interpretation; support manuscript and grant preparation; present results at lab meetings
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Position is contingent on grant funding support.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Perelman School of Medicine
Pay Range
$58,506.00 - $67,794.79 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
-
Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
-
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
-
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
-
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
-
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
-
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
-
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
-
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
-
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
-
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
-
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
-
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Research Specialist C
Job Profile Title
Research Specialist C
Job Description Summary
The selected candidate will serve as a senior scientist and lab manager in the Goodman Lab for Synthetic Immunology. They will independently execute and optimize complex experimental workflows including flow cytometry, primary T cell engineering, and viral vector production; oversee lab operations and equipment; and contribute substantively to data interpretation, protocol development, and manuscript and grant preparation.
Position is contingent on grant funding support.
Job Responsibilities
- Operate and maintain lab equipment including the flow cytometer; independently perform flow cytometry experiments; troubleshoot instrument issues; train all lab members on operation
- Independently perform and optimize primary human T cell culture, activation, and lentiviral transduction; lead viral vector production (BSL-2 lentiviral and AAV)
- Conduct molecular cloning (Gibson Assembly, Golden Gate, restriction-ligation) and prepare sequencing libraries for high-throughput genomics
- Maintain lab organization, reagent inventory, and equipment; coordinate supply ordering, vendor relationships, and equipment service contracts
- Perform and coordinate in vivo mouse experiments (tumor injections, measurements, organ harvests, IV T cell transfers); liaise with ULAR
- Develop, document, and maintain lab protocols and SOPs (Benchling, Notion); onboard and train rotation students, postdocs, and undergrads
- Contribute to data analysis and interpretation; support manuscript and grant preparation; present results at lab meetings
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Position is contingent on grant funding support.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Perelman School of Medicine
Pay Range
$58,506.00 - $67,794.79 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
-
Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
-
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
-
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
-
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
-
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
-
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
-
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
-
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
-
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
-
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
-
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
-
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
See all 762+ Green Card Research Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Green Card Research Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as a Research Specialist
Document your research outputs before applying
Compile publications, conference presentations, grant contributions, and data collection protocols into a portfolio. PERM requires employers to prove your qualifications match the role, so concrete evidence of your research output strengthens the labor certification case.
Target institutions with active PERM filing histories
Universities, federal research contractors, pharmaceutical firms, and government-funded labs file PERM for Research Specialists far more often than general corporate employers. Filter your job search to organizations that already have an established sponsorship infrastructure for research roles.
Search open positions through Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters Research Specialist listings by green card sponsorship history, so you're not guessing which employers will sponsor. Search by role and location to surface positions at institutions that have filed for research staff before.
Clarify whether EB-2 or EB-3 applies to your credentials
EB-2 covers candidates with an advanced degree or equivalent professional standing in your research field. EB-3 covers those with a bachelor's degree and at least two years of relevant experience. The category your employer files under affects your priority date and wait time, so clarify this before accepting an offer.
Ask employers how they handle concurrent I-140 filing
Some Research Specialist sponsors file the I-140 immigrant petition concurrently with PERM approval, which can shorten your overall green card timeline. Ask your prospective employer whether they use concurrent filing and whether they cover premium processing fees for the I-140.
Align your academic credentials with the PERM job description
PERM locks in the minimum requirements for the position. If your actual degree differs from what the employer lists, DOL can flag a mismatch during audit. Confirm before the job description is finalized that your credentials match the stated educational and experience requirements.
Green Card Research Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Specialist role typically qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
It depends on the job requirements the employer defines. If the position requires a master's degree or its equivalent in a specialized research field, EB-2 is the likely category. If a bachelor's degree with at least two years of relevant experience satisfies the role, EB-3 applies. Many research institutions file under EB-2 for senior or specialized positions and EB-3 for entry-level research staff.
How does the green card PERM process differ from H-1B sponsorship for Research Specialists?
H-1B visa is a temporary nonimmigrant visa with a three-year initial period and an annual lottery cap for most applicants. PERM-based green card sponsorship leads to permanent residency with no annual cap at the EB-3 level for most countries, though priority date backlogs affect nationals from India and China. PERM also requires DOL labor market testing before USCIS can approve the I-140 petition, making the process longer but the outcome permanent.
How long does the PERM green card process take for a Research Specialist?
The PERM labor certification stage currently averages several months to over a year at DOL, depending on whether the application is audited. After PERM approval, USCIS adjudicates the I-140 petition, which can take additional months without premium processing. For nationals from countries without backlogged priority dates, adjustment of status can follow relatively quickly. For Indian and Chinese nationals, EB-3 wait times can extend many years beyond I-140 approval.
What makes a Research Specialist position strong enough for PERM sponsorship?
The role must require a specific degree in a directly related field, not just any bachelor's degree. Positions that demand specialized methodological skills, domain expertise, or research experience in a defined scientific area are more defensible in PERM. A role described too broadly, where almost any degree would qualify, can face DOL scrutiny during the recruitment and audit stages of labor certification.
Where can I find Research Specialist jobs that offer green card sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this search. It surfaces Research Specialist positions at employers with documented green card sponsorship histories, so you can filter out roles where sponsorship is unlikely. This is more targeted than general job boards, which rarely surface verified sponsorship status for individual postings.