H-1B Visa Laboratory Research Assistant Jobs
H-1B visa jobs for Laboratory Research Assistants are filed under life, physical, or social science SOC codes, and sponsoring employers must certify a degree-level specialty occupation through a Labor Condition Application. Research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and universities actively petition for these roles each year.
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Get Access To All JobsResearch Laboratory and Operations Assistant
GENERAL DUTIES
Supports research projects and activities in connection with CUNY programs
- May assist faculty research groups by configuring and testing equipment, collecting and organizing data, and preparing documentation.
- Performs direct research tasks under supervision.
- May develop or utilize computer-based systems to collect and analyze data.
- May assist in preparing reports of research findings.
CONTRACT TITLE
Research Assistant
FLSA
Non-exempt
CAMPUS SPECIFIC INFORMATION
The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) is a vibrant, pluralistic learning community committed to students’ intellectual and personal growth. The College bridges the economic and educational opportunity gap for students, more than half of whom are the first in their families to attend college. Working to strengthen a culture of care inside and outside the classroom, we share a passion for learning with students from around the world. Strategically located in downtown Manhattan, the College is in close proximity to the artistic communities of Tribeca and SoHo, the dynamic downtown financial district, and the center of New York City government at City Hall. BMCC prides itself on the diversity of our students. We are an inclusive community that promotes an atmosphere of mutual respect for each member’s ethnicity, gender, age, disability, religion, political preference, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin, among other personal characteristics. BMCC’s motto speaks to this shared sense of purpose and possibility: Start Here, Go Anywhere. We strive to increase degree completion, successful transfer, career achievement, and service and leadership within our community, New York City, and beyond.
The Office of Research at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) supports and advances a vibrant culture of inquiry, innovation, and scholarly excellence, empowering students to reach their full academic and professional potential. We oversee and coordinate a wide range of research and educational programs, including faculty and student research initiatives, compliance with research regulations, grant development support, and STEM enrichment programs for high school and college students. Through inclusive and equitable access to research opportunities, we foster student growth, critical thinking, and hands-on learning that prepare them for future careers and advanced study. Our office is dedicated to supporting faculty, staff, and students in their pursuit of impactful research that not only contributes to scientific knowledge and community well-being but also enhances student success, achievement, and leadership.
In addition to the general duties, the responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to the following:
- Management of the Wet Laboratory, Cell Culture Laboratory, Physics/Engineering Laboratory, Computer Laboratory, and the Social Sciences Research Laboratory.
- Assists with preventative maintenance and repairs of lab equipment as needed.
- Adheres to safety and hygiene standards and ethical conduct as defined by the University and relevant outside parties, ensures a clean working area and is responsible for washing and storing glassware.
- Assists in maintaining inventory of supplies, equipment, and/or reagents, and ordering supplies/equipment/reagents as authorized or ensuring that needs are escalated appropriately.
- Reviews and implements standard operating procedures (SOPs) and policies for all Office of Research facilities.
- Enforces policies and schedules to ensure fair utilization of equipment by research assistants and faculty conducting research activities.
- Maintains Core laboratory supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level, anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.
- Helps plan all Office of Research events and assists with student research projects when needed.
- Provides technical guidance and instruction to students when faculty mentors are not available.
- Verifies that all students and research assistants complete specific CITI certifications pertaining to their research.
- Supports students and research assistants with facility-specific orientations regarding safety procedures, policies, supply placement, and general research procedures.
- Approves and inputs Office of Research facilities reservations into the BMCC Research Core calendar.
- Manage daily activities with coordination and communication among faculty, directors, and other laboratory personnel.
- Assists Department Administrator as needed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience relevant to the research being performed.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous research and teaching/student-related experience.
- High level of organizational skills, presenting technical information; equipment maintenance; training; quality focus; and technical knowledge in STEM field.
COMPENSATION
Salary range is $48,710 - $66,120, Salary commensurate with education and experience.
BENEFITS
CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees and eligible dependents based on job title and classification. Employees are also offered pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans. Part-time employees must meet a weekly or semester work hour criteria to be eligible for health benefits. Health benefits are also extended to retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.
HOW TO APPLY
For full consideration, submit a cover letter and resume online via CUNY's web-based job system, addressing how your experience and credentials fulfill the responsibilities and qualifications outlined. The direct link to the job opening from external sources is:
https://hrsa.cunyfirst.cuny.edu/psc/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMSCG/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=33056&PostingSeq=1
Current CUNY employees must apply through CUNYfirst Employee Self Service using your login credentials. After you login to CUNYfirst, navigate to job openings by following the path from the Main Menu: Employee Self Service -> Careers
CLOSING DATE
November 2, 2026
JOB SEARCH CATEGORY
CUNY Job Posting: Support Staff
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
Job ID: 33056
Location: Borough of Manhattan CC
Job Type: Full-Time
Research Laboratory and Operations Assistant
GENERAL DUTIES
Supports research projects and activities in connection with CUNY programs
- May assist faculty research groups by configuring and testing equipment, collecting and organizing data, and preparing documentation.
- Performs direct research tasks under supervision.
- May develop or utilize computer-based systems to collect and analyze data.
- May assist in preparing reports of research findings.
CONTRACT TITLE
Research Assistant
FLSA
Non-exempt
CAMPUS SPECIFIC INFORMATION
The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) is a vibrant, pluralistic learning community committed to students’ intellectual and personal growth. The College bridges the economic and educational opportunity gap for students, more than half of whom are the first in their families to attend college. Working to strengthen a culture of care inside and outside the classroom, we share a passion for learning with students from around the world. Strategically located in downtown Manhattan, the College is in close proximity to the artistic communities of Tribeca and SoHo, the dynamic downtown financial district, and the center of New York City government at City Hall. BMCC prides itself on the diversity of our students. We are an inclusive community that promotes an atmosphere of mutual respect for each member’s ethnicity, gender, age, disability, religion, political preference, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin, among other personal characteristics. BMCC’s motto speaks to this shared sense of purpose and possibility: Start Here, Go Anywhere. We strive to increase degree completion, successful transfer, career achievement, and service and leadership within our community, New York City, and beyond.
The Office of Research at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) supports and advances a vibrant culture of inquiry, innovation, and scholarly excellence, empowering students to reach their full academic and professional potential. We oversee and coordinate a wide range of research and educational programs, including faculty and student research initiatives, compliance with research regulations, grant development support, and STEM enrichment programs for high school and college students. Through inclusive and equitable access to research opportunities, we foster student growth, critical thinking, and hands-on learning that prepare them for future careers and advanced study. Our office is dedicated to supporting faculty, staff, and students in their pursuit of impactful research that not only contributes to scientific knowledge and community well-being but also enhances student success, achievement, and leadership.
In addition to the general duties, the responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to the following:
- Management of the Wet Laboratory, Cell Culture Laboratory, Physics/Engineering Laboratory, Computer Laboratory, and the Social Sciences Research Laboratory.
- Assists with preventative maintenance and repairs of lab equipment as needed.
- Adheres to safety and hygiene standards and ethical conduct as defined by the University and relevant outside parties, ensures a clean working area and is responsible for washing and storing glassware.
- Assists in maintaining inventory of supplies, equipment, and/or reagents, and ordering supplies/equipment/reagents as authorized or ensuring that needs are escalated appropriately.
- Reviews and implements standard operating procedures (SOPs) and policies for all Office of Research facilities.
- Enforces policies and schedules to ensure fair utilization of equipment by research assistants and faculty conducting research activities.
- Maintains Core laboratory supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level, anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.
- Helps plan all Office of Research events and assists with student research projects when needed.
- Provides technical guidance and instruction to students when faculty mentors are not available.
- Verifies that all students and research assistants complete specific CITI certifications pertaining to their research.
- Supports students and research assistants with facility-specific orientations regarding safety procedures, policies, supply placement, and general research procedures.
- Approves and inputs Office of Research facilities reservations into the BMCC Research Core calendar.
- Manage daily activities with coordination and communication among faculty, directors, and other laboratory personnel.
- Assists Department Administrator as needed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience relevant to the research being performed.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous research and teaching/student-related experience.
- High level of organizational skills, presenting technical information; equipment maintenance; training; quality focus; and technical knowledge in STEM field.
COMPENSATION
Salary range is $48,710 - $66,120, Salary commensurate with education and experience.
BENEFITS
CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees and eligible dependents based on job title and classification. Employees are also offered pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans. Part-time employees must meet a weekly or semester work hour criteria to be eligible for health benefits. Health benefits are also extended to retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.
HOW TO APPLY
For full consideration, submit a cover letter and resume online via CUNY's web-based job system, addressing how your experience and credentials fulfill the responsibilities and qualifications outlined. The direct link to the job opening from external sources is:
https://hrsa.cunyfirst.cuny.edu/psc/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMSCG/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=33056&PostingSeq=1
Current CUNY employees must apply through CUNYfirst Employee Self Service using your login credentials. After you login to CUNYfirst, navigate to job openings by following the path from the Main Menu: Employee Self Service -> Careers
CLOSING DATE
November 2, 2026
JOB SEARCH CATEGORY
CUNY Job Posting: Support Staff
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
Job ID: 33056
Location: Borough of Manhattan CC
Job Type: Full-Time
See all 1,277+ H-1B Visa Laboratory Research Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Laboratory Research Assistant Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Laboratory Research Assistant
Frame your degree as the credential
Your bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a directly related field is what qualifies this role as a specialty occupation. Document how your coursework maps to your bench duties before any employer submits an LCA or I-129 petition.
Target institutions with cap-exempt status
Universities, nonprofit research organizations affiliated with universities, and government research entities are cap-exempt H-1B visa employers. Focusing your search on these institutions means your petition can be filed any time, bypassing the annual cap selection process entirely.
Search verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to identify Laboratory Research Assistant employers with confirmed H-1B LCA filing history, searchable by location and role. Targeting employers with an active filing record cuts the risk of pursuing opportunities with sponsors who lack the infrastructure or willingness to petition.
Verify prevailing wage before negotiating offers
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location. Run the OFLC Wage Search for your specific county before accepting an offer so you can confirm the salary meets the Level I or Level II wage floor required on the LCA.
Confirm each worksite gets its own LCA
If your role involves work at multiple facilities, each location requires a separately certified LCA before work begins there. Raise this with HR early if your position involves rotating between labs, field sites, or partner institutions to avoid unlawful worksite violations.
Use O*NET to anchor the specialty occupation argument
If your employer needs to justify the degree requirement in an RFE response, the O*NET occupation profile for your SOC code documents the typical education level and specialized knowledge required. Pull this profile early so your petitioning employer has it ready before USCIS requests it.
H-1B Visa Laboratory Research Assistant: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Laboratory Research Assistant role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
It depends on how the position is structured. When the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific scientific field, such as biology, chemistry, or biochemistry, and the daily duties demand that level of theoretical knowledge, it qualifies. Employers strengthen the case by writing job descriptions that tie each core duty directly to degree-level coursework rather than describing general lab support tasks.
Which employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas for Laboratory Research Assistants?
Research universities, hospital-affiliated research centers, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and federal research institutions are the most active sponsors for this role. Many of these qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, which removes the annual cap constraint. Browse Migrate Mate to find employers with verified LCA filing history for laboratory science roles in your preferred location.
How long does H-1B status last for a Laboratory Research Assistant position?
USCIS grants H-1B status for an initial period of up to three years. Your employer can file an extension before that period ends, bringing your total authorized stay to a maximum of six years. After six years, continued H-1B status typically requires an approved immigrant visa petition or a pending green card application meeting specific USCIS criteria.
What documents should I prepare before my employer files the H-1B petition?
Gather your academic transcripts, degree certificates, and any credential evaluations showing your foreign degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's in a relevant field. Also compile letters from prior supervisors documenting specialized scientific duties, your CV listing publications or research projects, and any professional licenses. USCIS may issue an RFE asking for exactly this evidence, so having it organized before filing saves significant time.
What is an LCA and why does it matter for this role?
A Labor Condition Application is a DOL-certified document your employer must obtain before USCIS will accept the H-1B petition. It certifies that your offered wage meets the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location, and that hiring you won't adversely affect working conditions for similarly employed U.S. workers. Each worksite where you perform duties needs its own certified LCA, which matters if your position involves multiple lab locations.