H-1B Visa Biology Jobs
Biology roles in research, biotech, and pharmaceutical settings qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations when the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related biological science. Employers in these sectors have strong H-1B filing histories, and the 85,000-slot annual cap means timing your job search around the April lottery registration window matters.
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About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
The Development Sciences Biologics CMC Drug Substance Cell Line Development Group in South San Francisco, CA is seeking a Scientist I to join a talented, collaborative team developing CHO cell lines for GMP applications. In this laboratory-based role, the Scientist I will independently plan and execute molecular characterization studies that help advance novel therapies to clinical development. The work will encompass molecular, cellular, and bioprocess development studies relating to the generation and characterization of optimized CHO cell lines for production of our pipeline candidates.
Key Responsibilities
- Independently design, conduct, analyze, and document critical experiments supporting CHO cell-line development, cell-bank qualification, and candidate progression; assess data quality, troubleshoot results, and recommend next steps.
- Design and generate expression vectors for monoclonal antibodies and antibody-like molecules; improve cloning, plasmid QC, and whole-plasmid sequencing workflows.
- Characterize CHO cell banks for identity and transgene DNA/RNA quality using PCR/qPCR, ddPCR, DNA/RNA isolation, sequencing, and related assays.
- Develop and optimize NGS workflows, including RNA-seq and molecular screening; interpret sequencing data and establish fit-for-purpose quality controls.
- Author and review technical reports and documentation supporting regulated development from IND through BLA, following good documentation practices.
- Maintain protocols, tools, trackers, reference datasets, and inventories that improve reproducibility, traceability, and laboratory efficiency.
- Communicate scientific plans, results, and recommendations to cross-functional partners and external collaborators; document workflows and train colleagues as appropriate.
- Read, critically evaluate, and adapt scientific literature to guide experimental design and technical progress; independently implement appropriately scoped method and workflow improvements.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education with typically 5 years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree or equivalent education with typically 2 years.
- Strong understanding of molecular and mammalian cell biology, CHO cell-line development, and relevant bioprocess concepts.
- Ability to independently design and conduct critical experiments, generate reliable and reproducible data, draw sound conclusions, and troubleshoot experiments and instrumentation.
- Hands-on proficiency in cloning, plasmid preparation, DNA digests/gels, PCR/qPCR, ddPCR, DNA/RNA isolation and sequencing, and mammalian cell culture using sterile technique.
- Ability to manage concurrent deliverables and timelines, maintain detailed laboratory records, and communicate scientific findings and recommendations in writing and presentations.
- Hands-on experience with Illumina and/or Nanopore platforms, RNA-seq, sequence analysis, data-quality assessment, and molecular characterization of mammalian cell banks.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Geneious; ability to learn new software and scientific techniques.
Preferred Qualifications
- Biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience developing CHO cell lines for GMP applications.
- Familiarity with bioinformatics workflows for DNA/RNA sequence confirmation and expression analysis, including IGV, NGS file formats, FASTQC, Samtools, or related tools.
- Experience with computational, data-analysis, or scripting tools such as R, Python, or Java.
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
- The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
Company Description
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
The Development Sciences Biologics CMC Drug Substance Cell Line Development Group in South San Francisco, CA is seeking a Scientist I to join a talented, collaborative team developing CHO cell lines for GMP applications. In this laboratory-based role, the Scientist I will independently plan and execute molecular characterization studies that help advance novel therapies to clinical development. The work will encompass molecular, cellular, and bioprocess development studies relating to the generation and characterization of optimized CHO cell lines for production of our pipeline candidates.
Key Responsibilities
- Independently design, conduct, analyze, and document critical experiments supporting CHO cell-line development, cell-bank qualification, and candidate progression; assess data quality, troubleshoot results, and recommend next steps.
- Design and generate expression vectors for monoclonal antibodies and antibody-like molecules; improve cloning, plasmid QC, and whole-plasmid sequencing workflows.
- Characterize CHO cell banks for identity and transgene DNA/RNA quality using PCR/qPCR, ddPCR, DNA/RNA isolation, sequencing, and related assays.
- Develop and optimize NGS workflows, including RNA-seq and molecular screening; interpret sequencing data and establish fit-for-purpose quality controls.
- Author and review technical reports and documentation supporting regulated development from IND through BLA, following good documentation practices.
- Maintain protocols, tools, trackers, reference datasets, and inventories that improve reproducibility, traceability, and laboratory efficiency.
- Communicate scientific plans, results, and recommendations to cross-functional partners and external collaborators; document workflows and train colleagues as appropriate.
- Read, critically evaluate, and adapt scientific literature to guide experimental design and technical progress; independently implement appropriately scoped method and workflow improvements.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education with typically 5 years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree or equivalent education with typically 2 years.
- Strong understanding of molecular and mammalian cell biology, CHO cell-line development, and relevant bioprocess concepts.
- Ability to independently design and conduct critical experiments, generate reliable and reproducible data, draw sound conclusions, and troubleshoot experiments and instrumentation.
- Hands-on proficiency in cloning, plasmid preparation, DNA digests/gels, PCR/qPCR, ddPCR, DNA/RNA isolation and sequencing, and mammalian cell culture using sterile technique.
- Ability to manage concurrent deliverables and timelines, maintain detailed laboratory records, and communicate scientific findings and recommendations in writing and presentations.
- Hands-on experience with Illumina and/or Nanopore platforms, RNA-seq, sequence analysis, data-quality assessment, and molecular characterization of mammalian cell banks.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Geneious; ability to learn new software and scientific techniques.
Preferred Qualifications
- Biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience developing CHO cell lines for GMP applications.
- Familiarity with bioinformatics workflows for DNA/RNA sequence confirmation and expression analysis, including IGV, NGS file formats, FASTQC, Samtools, or related tools.
- Experience with computational, data-analysis, or scripting tools such as R, Python, or Java.
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
- The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
See all 243+ H-1B Visa Biology Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Biology
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation requirements
Your biology degree must directly relate to the specific role, not just the broad field. A cell biology degree supporting a molecular diagnostics position is a strong match. A general biology degree for a highly specialized genomics role may trigger an RFE from USCIS.
Target employers with active LCA filing histories
Use Migrate Mate to filter biology roles by employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for your occupation code. This surfaces companies already set up to sponsor H-1B petitions rather than those encountering the process for the first time.
Distinguish research institution from industry timelines
Universities and nonprofit research institutions are cap-exempt, meaning they can file H-1B petitions year-round with no lottery. Biotech and pharma employers are cap-subject and must register in March for an October 1 start date.
Confirm your SOC code before the prevailing wage step
Biology roles span multiple Standard Occupational Classification codes: microbiologists, biochemists, medical scientists, and zoologists each have distinct wage levels. Run your specific SOC code through the OFLC Wage Search before your employer files the LCA to catch any misclassification early.
Ask about postdoc-to-H-1B transition timing explicitly
Many postdoctoral appointments are funded through J-1 visa or F-1 OPT status. If you're converting from a postdoc to a permanent research position, confirm with your employer whether they'll file for a change of status or require consular processing, since two-year home residency requirements on some J-1 visa waivers affect eligibility.
Document publication and grant records for specialty occupation evidence
USCIS increasingly requests evidence that a biology role genuinely requires degree-level expertise. Peer-reviewed publications, grant co-investigator credits, and patent contributions strengthen the specialty occupation argument in your employer's I-129 petition beyond the job description alone.
H-1B Visa Biology: Frequently Asked Questions
Do biology jobs qualify as H-1B specialty occupations?
Most professional biology roles qualify as specialty occupations because they require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific biological science. Roles such as research scientist, microbiologist, biochemist, and clinical research associate routinely meet the standard. The exact SOC code matters: USCIS evaluates whether the specific position, not the general field, requires that degree as a minimum entry requirement.
Which types of biology employers sponsor H-1B visas most frequently?
Pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, biotech firms, hospital research divisions, and universities are the most frequent H-1B sponsors for biology roles. University and nonprofit research employers are cap-exempt and can file petitions at any time of year. For-profit biotech and pharma employers are subject to the annual 85,000-slot cap and the April lottery registration window. You can browse employers by their LCA filing history on Migrate Mate.
Can my employer file an H-1B petition while I'm still on OPT?
Yes, and timing is critical. If your OPT authorization expires before October 1 and your employer files during the regular cap season, you'll need cap-gap protection under federal regulations to stay authorized between OPT expiration and your H-1B start date. Your employer should file in April so USCIS receives the petition before your OPT end date for cap-gap coverage to apply automatically.
What documentation should I gather before a biology employer files my H-1B petition?
Prepare certified transcripts showing your degree in a specific biological discipline, any credential evaluations if your degree is from outside the U.S., a current resume with your full employment history, and copies of any publications or patents if your role involves research. Your employer's attorney will also need your passport, current immigration status documents, and a detailed job description tied to your SOC code.
How does the H-1B prevailing wage requirement affect biology job offers?
The DOL requires employers to pay at least the prevailing wage for your specific biology occupation, SOC code, and work location before certifying the LCA. Wage levels run from Level I (entry) to Level IV (fully competent). A research associate role in a high-cost metro typically falls at a higher wage level than the same title in a rural area. You can verify the applicable wage using the OFLC Wage Search before negotiating your offer.