Green Card Staff Research Scientist Jobs
Staff Research Scientist roles at universities, federal labs, and private R&D organizations qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship through the PERM labor certification process. Employers document that no qualified U.S. worker is available before filing an I-140 petition with USCIS, putting you on a path to permanent residence rather than a renewable temporary status.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Bronstein and Widge labs in the University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences are jointly seeking a staff research scientist (Research Professional 6) for a project focused on personalized, non-invasive neuromodulation to improve thoughts of suicide and other mental health outcomes. A competitive applicant will have previous experience with neuromodulation or neuroimaging research, a strong track record of success as an individual and team contributor to scientific endeavors, and the ability to balance oversight and coordination between teams and other administrative duties with scientific output. Previous work on complex, fast-paced, interdisciplinary efforts is a plus.
A successful applicant will be responsible for activities such as integrating scientific content from multiple teams into high-quality program progress reports, tracking team progress against project milestones and proactively recommending and acting on solutions as problems arise, as well as guiding and indirectly overseeing less senior team members as they execute day-to-day aspects of the research project. The applicant will need to solve complex problems and design protocols, procedures, and policies to fulfill the research objectives.
This is a unique opportunity to be involved in the rapid movement of an intervention that could dramatically change standard of care from preliminary data to fully powered tests.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Job responsibilities:
-
(25%) Play a hands-on role in areas of the project relevant to your research expertise. Person will be expected to make scientific and programmatic decisions with limited oversight, consulting as needed with PI. They will be expected to select and monitor strategic directions for day-to-day level operations. Make evidence-based key decisions in those areas with limited oversight and high effectiveness. Coordinate actively with other team members to maximize scientific productivity.
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(25%) Integrate research findings from members of various scientific teams, describe how they advance planned tasks/milestones, and ultimately produce high-quality peer-reviewed publications, reports for the public, sponsor briefings, and presentations. Additional reporting may also include summary reports of critical deliverables, identifying key achievements, and translating these into sponsor-relevant language. The role will also initiate, monitor, and adjust as needed, scientific directions of relevant projects. Person will be in charge of overseeing, implementing, adjusting extant strategic directions and making as many strategic decisions as possible within the scope of their expertise as independently as possible.
-
(25%) Collaborate with investigators, project managers, and other study staff to manage project planning operations. Guide less senior team members through routine decisions as they execute day-to-day scientific activities on the project. This will include mentoring and serving as an example to research staff in the ethical conduct of research. Provide strategic direction and proactively identify when goals are not being met or roadblocks arise, recommend potential solutions include staff hiring/termination. The individual will also lead the manuscript preparation and writing, including serving as the author or co-author.
-
(10%) Develop and modify practices and procedures to improve efficiency and quality to effectively achieve end results.
-
(10%) Manage complexities of multi-institution contracts, agreements, and coordination, as well as bring relevant stakeholders together to overcome roadblocks. Individual will also contribute to maintaining current funding, including overseeing budget planning and management. Person will be expected to proactively create deliverables for current grants, and will be expected to be capable of creating and editing administrative documents for new grant submissions.
-
(5%) Serve as a scientific representative on various committees and teams making decisions and recommendations on behalf of the project.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced degree with substantial research and publication record
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering, or a similar field.
- Evidence of scientific productivity (e.g., in peer-reviewed publications) in areas such as neuroimaging, neuromodulation, suicidology, or the study of severe mental illness.
The Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences consists of an outstanding team of researchers, clinicians, and educators who provide world-class expertise in psychiatric illness, treatment, scholarship, and scientific discovery.
Our mission is to:
- Create and disseminate new knowledge in the science of mental health
- Provide effective and innovative clinical care programs to alleviate the suffering of mental illness and promote mental resilience
- Train the next generation of interprofessional experts who will be leaders in Minnesota and beyond
- Engage in compassionate and vigorous outreach and advocacy on issues relevant to psychiatric illness, treatment, and research
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.
This position will remain open until filled.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
LOCATION
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.
INTRODUCTION
The Bronstein and Widge labs in the University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences are jointly seeking a staff research scientist (Research Professional 6) for a project focused on personalized, non-invasive neuromodulation to improve thoughts of suicide and other mental health outcomes. A competitive applicant will have previous experience with neuromodulation or neuroimaging research, a strong track record of success as an individual and team contributor to scientific endeavors, and the ability to balance oversight and coordination between teams and other administrative duties with scientific output. Previous work on complex, fast-paced, interdisciplinary efforts is a plus.
A successful applicant will be responsible for activities such as integrating scientific content from multiple teams into high-quality program progress reports, tracking team progress against project milestones and proactively recommending and acting on solutions as problems arise, as well as guiding and indirectly overseeing less senior team members as they execute day-to-day aspects of the research project. The applicant will need to solve complex problems and design protocols, procedures, and policies to fulfill the research objectives.
This is a unique opportunity to be involved in the rapid movement of an intervention that could dramatically change standard of care from preliminary data to fully powered tests.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Job responsibilities:
-
(25%) Play a hands-on role in areas of the project relevant to your research expertise. Person will be expected to make scientific and programmatic decisions with limited oversight, consulting as needed with PI. They will be expected to select and monitor strategic directions for day-to-day level operations. Make evidence-based key decisions in those areas with limited oversight and high effectiveness. Coordinate actively with other team members to maximize scientific productivity.
-
(25%) Integrate research findings from members of various scientific teams, describe how they advance planned tasks/milestones, and ultimately produce high-quality peer-reviewed publications, reports for the public, sponsor briefings, and presentations. Additional reporting may also include summary reports of critical deliverables, identifying key achievements, and translating these into sponsor-relevant language. The role will also initiate, monitor, and adjust as needed, scientific directions of relevant projects. Person will be in charge of overseeing, implementing, adjusting extant strategic directions and making as many strategic decisions as possible within the scope of their expertise as independently as possible.
-
(25%) Collaborate with investigators, project managers, and other study staff to manage project planning operations. Guide less senior team members through routine decisions as they execute day-to-day scientific activities on the project. This will include mentoring and serving as an example to research staff in the ethical conduct of research. Provide strategic direction and proactively identify when goals are not being met or roadblocks arise, recommend potential solutions include staff hiring/termination. The individual will also lead the manuscript preparation and writing, including serving as the author or co-author.
-
(10%) Develop and modify practices and procedures to improve efficiency and quality to effectively achieve end results.
-
(10%) Manage complexities of multi-institution contracts, agreements, and coordination, as well as bring relevant stakeholders together to overcome roadblocks. Individual will also contribute to maintaining current funding, including overseeing budget planning and management. Person will be expected to proactively create deliverables for current grants, and will be expected to be capable of creating and editing administrative documents for new grant submissions.
-
(5%) Serve as a scientific representative on various committees and teams making decisions and recommendations on behalf of the project.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced degree with substantial research and publication record
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering, or a similar field.
- Evidence of scientific productivity (e.g., in peer-reviewed publications) in areas such as neuroimaging, neuromodulation, suicidology, or the study of severe mental illness.
The Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences consists of an outstanding team of researchers, clinicians, and educators who provide world-class expertise in psychiatric illness, treatment, scholarship, and scientific discovery.
Our mission is to:
- Create and disseminate new knowledge in the science of mental health
- Provide effective and innovative clinical care programs to alleviate the suffering of mental illness and promote mental resilience
- Train the next generation of interprofessional experts who will be leaders in Minnesota and beyond
- Engage in compassionate and vigorous outreach and advocacy on issues relevant to psychiatric illness, treatment, and research
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.
This position will remain open until filled.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
LOCATION
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.
See all 381+ Green Card Staff Research Scientist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as a Staff Research Scientist
Align your CV to PERM documentation standards
Your CV should explicitly list degree fields, research specializations, and years of progressive experience by project. PERM audits compare your credentials directly against the employer's minimum requirements, so vague titles or gaps in documented expertise can stall certification.
Search employers with active EB-2 filing history
Target R&D-intensive employers that have sponsored Staff Research Scientists before. Migrate Mate shows employers with verified green card sponsorship history by occupation, so you can prioritize organizations already familiar with the PERM and I-140 process for research roles.
Verify your prevailing wage category before negotiating
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location before accepting an offer. Your employer's PERM filing must certify the offered salary meets or exceeds that wage, so knowing the threshold protects both you and the timeline.
Distinguish EB-2 and EB-3 paths with your credentials
If your highest degree is a bachelor's plus fewer than five years of progressive research experience, EB-3 Skilled Worker is your likely category. An earned doctorate or master's with five or more years typically supports EB-2, which matters for priority-date backlog calculations if you're from India or China.
Confirm the job description matches O*NET before PERM is filed
PERM recruitment must advertise duties that reflect the actual position. Cross-check the job posting against the O*NET occupation profile for Staff Research Scientist to catch mismatched duty language early. Discrepancies discovered during a DOL audit can trigger denial or restart the recruitment clock.
Preserve your priority date if you change employers mid-process
Once your original employer's I-140 is approved, your priority date becomes portable to a new employer's I-140. AC21 job portability, which lets you change employers without losing your place in line, applies only after your I-485 has been pending 180 days or more in a same or similar occupation.
Green Card Staff Research Scientist: Frequently Asked Questions
What green card categories cover Staff Research Scientist roles?
Most Staff Research Scientist positions qualify under EB-2, which covers advanced-degree professionals or candidates with a bachelor's degree plus five years of progressive experience in a specialized research field. EB-3 Skilled Worker is available when the role requires a bachelor's degree and at least two years of experience. Your employer determines the category based on the minimum requirements written into the job description before PERM is filed with the Department of Labor.
How does green card sponsorship differ from H-1B sponsorship for research scientists?
H-1B visa sponsorship grants temporary work authorization in two or three-year increments and requires a Labor Condition Application filed with DOL. Green card sponsorship through EB-2 or EB-3 leads to permanent residence and involves a different process: PERM labor certification, an I-140 immigrant petition, and either adjustment of status or consular processing. PERM requires a formal recruitment test to demonstrate no qualified U.S. worker was available, a step with no equivalent in the H-1B process. Priority-date backlogs for India and China can extend the timeline significantly.
How do I find employers willing to sponsor a green card for research scientist positions?
Start with Migrate Mate, which lists employers with verified green card sponsorship history by occupation code, so you can focus on organizations that have already navigated the PERM and I-140 process for research roles. Universities, federal contractor labs, pharmaceutical companies, and national research institutes are common sponsors, but sponsorship willingness varies widely even within those categories, making verified filing history a more reliable signal than industry type alone.
Can I change research employers while my green card application is pending?
Yes, in two distinct situations. Once the original employer's I-140 is approved, your priority date becomes portable and a new employer can file a fresh I-140 without you losing your place in the backlog queue. Separately, AC21 job portability lets you change to a same or similar occupation entirely without jeopardizing your adjustment of status, but only after your I-485 has been pending for at least 180 days. Both rules require USCIS concurrence and documentation.
What makes a Staff Research Scientist role difficult to get PERM approved?
Highly specialized job requirements can complicate PERM if DOL concludes the minimum requirements are tailored to the foreign worker's specific profile rather than the legitimate needs of the position. Requirements like a very specific degree subfield, a particular proprietary methodology, or a narrow combination of skills that only the sponsored candidate possesses can trigger an audit. Employers typically work with immigration counsel to draft job descriptions that reflect genuine business needs while accurately representing the role's research scope.