H-1B Visa Chemist Jobs
Chemist roles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations under USCIS guidelines, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in chemistry or a directly related field. Employers file the Labor Condition Application with DOL before sponsoring your H-1B, certifying the role meets prevailing wage requirements for your work location.
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Company Description
SGS is the global leader and innovator in inspection, verification, testing and certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is recognized as the global benchmark in quality and integrity. With over 97,000 employees in 130 countries and operating a network of more than 2,400 offices and laboratories, we provide services to almost every industry by assuring quality and safety of products and services.
Trusted all over the world, SGS is a market leader because we put 100% passion, pride and innovation into everything we do. We encourage new ideas. We welcome people who challenge the way we do things. And we will be 100% committed to helping you reach your full potential.
Job Description
Summary
Responsible for analysis and reporting of various products such as crude oil, fuel oils, middle distillates, petroleum and petrochemicals, LPG & LNG gases, etc.
Job Functions
- Responsible for all Laboratory analysis (hands-on working on the Bench).
- Understand and keep current with all Laboratory safety and reporting techniques.
- Provide guidance to Laboratory Technicians to maintain proper level of training among Laboratory personnel, which can include supervisory duties.
- Understand and keep current with all Laboratory analysis methods.
- Responsible for the operation of Gas Chromatograph and other Laboratory equipment.
- Position requires a dependable and reliable individual; whose daily presence adds to the success of the Department.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry or a related science preferred, or equivalent work experience, coupled with a minimum of one (1) year of direct transferable experience working in a laboratory. (Required)
- TWIC (Required)
Licenses and Certifications
- N/A
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledgeable in ASTM standards. (Required)
- Must be able to work with all chemical, petrochemical and petroleum products. (Required)
- Must be able to differentiate between colors accurately by sight. (Required)
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from individuals and/or groups both within the organization. (Required)
- Ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources into solutions and work effectively under pressure while acting accordingly to the SGS standards of ethics and integrity. (Required)
- High level of accuracy is required, with special attention to details. (Required)
- Ability to work effectively under pressure, while balancing numerous projects concurrently with different deadlines. (Required)
Physical Demands of the Job
- Stand: Constantly
- Move or traverse: Constantly
- Sit: Occasionally
- Use hands: Constantly
- Reach with hands and arms: Frequently
- Climb or balance: None
- Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl: Occasionally
- Talk/hear: Frequently
- Taste/Smell: Occasionally
- Lift/carry/push or pull: Occasionally
SGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such we recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristics protected by law.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts the company’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
If you are applying for a position within the United States and you have difficulty completing the on-line employment application because of a disability, please call 201-508-3149 for assistance and leave a message. You will receive a call back. Please note, this phone number is not for general employment information, but is only for individuals who are experiencing difficulty applying for a position due to a disability.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Chemist
Verify your degree field matches the role
USCIS scrutinizes whether your chemistry or biochemistry degree directly relates to the specific Chemist position. A general science degree supporting a specialized analytical chemistry role can trigger an RFE, so align your transcript language with the job description before applying.
Check prevailing wages by specialization and location
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up wage levels for your specific SOC code before negotiating offers. Analytical chemists, organic chemists, and quality control chemists often fall under different wage determinations depending on industry and geographic area.
Target industries with consistent H-1B LCA filings
Pharmaceutical manufacturers, petrochemical companies, and materials testing labs file H-1B petitions for Chemists far more regularly than smaller research firms. Use Migrate Mate to filter employers with verified H-1B filing history in chemistry-related roles before you apply.
Understand cap-exempt employer options in your field
Universities, government-affiliated research institutions, and certain nonprofit research organizations are cap-exempt, meaning your H-1B petition bypasses the annual lottery entirely. Many research chemist positions at national labs or university-affiliated institutes qualify under this exemption.
Prepare a detailed specialty occupation letter early
Your employer's H-1B petition must include a support letter explaining why the Chemist role requires a specific degree. Reference the O*NET occupation profile for Chemists to help your employer document the theoretical and practical chemistry knowledge the position demands.
Clarify licensing requirements before your start date
Some Chemist roles, particularly in environmental testing or forensic labs, require state certifications or DEA registration that take weeks to process. Confirm with your employer whether any licenses must be obtained before USCIS approves your H-1B or before your employment start date.
Chemist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Chemist JobsChemist H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Chemist role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. USCIS classifies Chemist positions as specialty occupations because they normally require at least a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related scientific field. The key factor is that the degree must be directly tied to the role's duties. A general science degree supporting a highly specialized position may require additional documentation to satisfy the specialty occupation standard.
Which industries sponsor H-1B visas most often for Chemists?
Pharmaceutical and biotech companies sponsor the most H-1B petitions for Chemist roles, followed by petroleum refining, specialty chemical manufacturers, and contract research organizations. Environmental testing labs and materials science firms also file regularly. You can search Migrate Mate to browse Chemist openings filtered by employers with active H-1B filing history in your specialization and region.
Can I work as a Chemist at a university on an H-1B?
Yes, and university and government-affiliated research institution positions have a significant advantage: they're cap-exempt. That means your employer can file your H-1B petition at any time of year without entering the annual lottery. Positions at university chemistry departments, national labs, and certain nonprofit research organizations all commonly qualify for cap-exempt status under USCIS rules.
What does the DOL prevailing wage requirement mean for Chemist sponsorship?
Before your employer files your H-1B petition, they must submit a Labor Condition Application to DOL certifying your offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for your role, specialization level, and work location. You can look up applicable wage levels using the OFLC Wage Search by SOC code. Employers who underpay relative to the certified wage level risk LCA violations and potential DOL audits.
What documents should I prepare to support my H-1B petition as a Chemist?
You'll need official transcripts showing your chemistry or related degree, any graduate diplomas, and a credential evaluation if your degree is from outside the U.S. If you hold professional certifications such as a Certified Chemical Technologist credential or any state laboratory certifications, include those too. Your employer's attorney will typically request a detailed resume and job duties description to build the specialty occupation argument for USCIS.
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