H-1B Visa Clinical Research Scientist Jobs
Clinical Research Scientists consistently qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations because the role requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as life sciences, pharmacology, or biostatistics. Pharma, biotech, and contract research organizations sponsor H-1B petitions regularly for this title, making it one of the more reliable paths for international researchers.
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Get Access To All JobsMarket Range: 09
Hiring Salary: $3,946.70 - $4,993.25/Monthly
THIS IS A GRANT-FUNDED POSITION FUNDED UNTIL AUGUST 1, 2028
The Researcher 2 performs a broad range of biological testing and procedures using standard scientific techniques and methods. This position primarily oversees infection, disease and/or immune response in small animals, such as advanced imaging equipment, and standard operating procedures.
Responsibilities:
- Develops and reviews SOPs for assays to measure and detect pathogens and/or immune responses in cell lines, animal tissues, and/or fluids. Provides SOP training for new users on equipment or techniques.
- Designs, optimizes, and/or validates and/or equipment instrumentation by preparing a study design and qualification report.
- Measures the responses of pathogens in small animals to infection and/or therapeutics using classical approaches or more modern techniques such as imaging.
- Utilizes MS Office Suite products and statistical analysis tools to analyze and present data.
- Participates in writing manuscripts/reports pertaining to the data.
- Develops protocols and/or standard operating procedures for all techniques utilized.
- Prepares figures of data for publication.
- Contributes to writing and editing of papers and presentations needed for internal/external meetings.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Virology, Biochemistry, Immunology, or a related field. (Master’s Degree preferred.) (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
Experience: Four (4) years of related research or laboratory experience in a laboratory environment OR Master’s Degree in Molecular Virology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Animal Science, or a related field and two (2) years of related research or laboratory experience. Must be able to pass the Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment for work with Select Agents and Toxins. An annual physical exam is required, including TB testing, Hep B vaccination or positive titer, and tetanus vaccination.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to conduct effective literature searches, analyze, and present data.
- Ability to utilize all MS Office Suite products, Sigma Plot, or other statistical software products.
- Ability to follow protocols and aid in protocol development for standard operating protocols.
- Ability to work in BSL2 or BSL 3 environment.
- Ability to observe and follow appropriate safety and study requirements by reading, understanding, and performing Standard Operating Procedures, Good Laboratory Practices, and study protocols. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required includes Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR), safety glasses, lab coat, closed-toed or shoe covers, and nitrile gloves.
WORK SCHEDULE: This position will occasionally be required to work weekends.
Market Range: 09
Hiring Salary: $3,946.70 - $4,993.25/Monthly
THIS IS A GRANT-FUNDED POSITION FUNDED UNTIL AUGUST 1, 2028
The Researcher 2 performs a broad range of biological testing and procedures using standard scientific techniques and methods. This position primarily oversees infection, disease and/or immune response in small animals, such as advanced imaging equipment, and standard operating procedures.
Responsibilities:
- Develops and reviews SOPs for assays to measure and detect pathogens and/or immune responses in cell lines, animal tissues, and/or fluids. Provides SOP training for new users on equipment or techniques.
- Designs, optimizes, and/or validates and/or equipment instrumentation by preparing a study design and qualification report.
- Measures the responses of pathogens in small animals to infection and/or therapeutics using classical approaches or more modern techniques such as imaging.
- Utilizes MS Office Suite products and statistical analysis tools to analyze and present data.
- Participates in writing manuscripts/reports pertaining to the data.
- Develops protocols and/or standard operating procedures for all techniques utilized.
- Prepares figures of data for publication.
- Contributes to writing and editing of papers and presentations needed for internal/external meetings.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Virology, Biochemistry, Immunology, or a related field. (Master’s Degree preferred.) (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
Experience: Four (4) years of related research or laboratory experience in a laboratory environment OR Master’s Degree in Molecular Virology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Animal Science, or a related field and two (2) years of related research or laboratory experience. Must be able to pass the Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment for work with Select Agents and Toxins. An annual physical exam is required, including TB testing, Hep B vaccination or positive titer, and tetanus vaccination.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to conduct effective literature searches, analyze, and present data.
- Ability to utilize all MS Office Suite products, Sigma Plot, or other statistical software products.
- Ability to follow protocols and aid in protocol development for standard operating protocols.
- Ability to work in BSL2 or BSL 3 environment.
- Ability to observe and follow appropriate safety and study requirements by reading, understanding, and performing Standard Operating Procedures, Good Laboratory Practices, and study protocols. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required includes Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR), safety glasses, lab coat, closed-toed or shoe covers, and nitrile gloves.
WORK SCHEDULE: This position will occasionally be required to work weekends.
See all 1,551+ H-1B Visa Clinical Research Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Clinical Research Scientist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Clinical Research Scientist
Align your degree to the protocol
USCIS scrutinizes whether your specific degree field matches your clinical research duties. A pharmacology or biostatistics degree paired with GCP training strengthens the specialty occupation argument more than a general biology degree alone.
Target CROs over smaller sponsors
Contract research organizations like IQVIA, Labcorp Drug Development, and PRA Health Sciences file H-1B petitions in volume and have established immigration infrastructure. Their HR teams understand LCA timelines and won't need educating on the process.
Search LCA filings by SOC code
Clinical Research Scientists fall under SOC 19-1042. Use Migrate Mate to filter verified H-1B sponsors by this occupation code, so you're targeting employers with documented LCA filing history for your exact role type.
Request the prevailing wage tier early
Ask your prospective employer which DOL prevailing wage level they intend to file at before you negotiate salary. Use the OFLC Wage Search to check Level I through Level IV wage bands for your metro area so you can verify the offer meets the certified LCA wage.
Document your clinical trial experience precisely
Your resume and reference letters should name specific phases (Phase I, II, III), therapeutic areas, and regulatory frameworks (ICH E6, FDA 21 CFR Part 11). Vague experience descriptions invite RFEs; protocol-specific language does not.
Confirm cap-exempt status for academic medical centers
Universities and affiliated academic medical centers are cap-exempt under USCIS rules, meaning your petition can be filed outside the April lottery window and at any time of year. This matters if you're weighing an industry role against a hospital-based clinical research position.
H-1B Visa Clinical Research Scientist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Clinical Research Scientist role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. USCIS consistently recognizes Clinical Research Scientist positions as specialty occupations because the role requires a theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge, typically in life sciences, pharmacology, or biostatistics, and a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. The O*NET profile for this occupation confirms a job zone requiring advanced education.
Which types of employers most commonly sponsor H-1B visas for this role?
Pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and contract research organizations file the majority of H-1B petitions for Clinical Research Scientists. Academic medical centers and hospital systems also sponsor frequently and carry the additional advantage of cap-exempt status. Browse Migrate Mate to see which employers have verified LCA filing history specifically for clinical research roles.
What happens to my H-1B status if a clinical trial ends and my project is discontinued?
If your employment ends, you have a 60-day grace period under USCIS rules to find a new sponsoring employer, file a change of status, or depart the U.S. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before you begin working. Preserving pay stubs and your I-94 record throughout the transition protects your status documentation.
Can my employer file my H-1B petition outside the annual cap?
Only if your employer qualifies as cap-exempt, meaning it is an institution of higher education, a nonprofit affiliated with such an institution, or a nonprofit or government research organization. Most private pharma and CRO employers are cap-subject, so timing your offer to allow for the April lottery registration window is essential for those positions.
How does the DOL prevailing wage apply to Clinical Research Scientist salaries on an H-1B?
Your employer must file a Labor Condition Application certifying that your offered salary meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for your occupation and geographic area. The DOL assigns one of four wage levels based on experience and complexity. You can verify the applicable range using the OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer to confirm the LCA wage tier matches your role.