H-1B Visa Post Doctoral Fellow Jobs
Post Doctoral Fellow positions at U.S. universities and research institutions are among the most H-1B visa-friendly roles in academia. Employers file the LCA under SOC code 19-1099 or equivalent research scientist classifications, and cap-exempt institutions mean no lottery exposure for most postdoc appointments.
Find H-1B Visa Post Doctoral Fellow JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 127+ Post Doctoral Fellow jobs
See all 127+ Post Doctoral Fellow Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Post Doctoral Fellow roles.
Get Access To All JobsLOCATION
Worcester
DEPARTMENT NAME
Biology & Biotechnology - NFR JM
DIVISION NAME
Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
Postdoctoral Research Fellow to study the relationship between RNA metabolism and mutation tolerance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
JOB DESCRIPTION
A position is available in late 2026 or early 2027 for a highly motivated postdoctoral scientist to join Scarlet Shell’s lab in the Department of Biology & Biotechnology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). The long-term goal of our group is to understand the regulatory mechanisms that allow mycobacterial pathogens to tolerate stress and maintain fitness in disease-relevant conditions. We are currently funded by the US National Institutes of Health and the US-Israel Binational Science Foundation. The postdoc will investigate the mechanisms by which M. tuberculosis mitigates the fitness costs of mutations selected by antibiotics and other stressors of infection. They will use a combination of biochemistry, genetics, genomics, transcriptomics, and phenotypic profiling.
WPI is a selective private university dedicated to science and engineering. The Shell lab is located in WPI’s Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, a modern state-of-the-art research facility conducive to collaborative and interdisciplinary research. Worcester is located in central Massachusetts within an hour of Boston, Providence, and the Pioneer Valley. Our location facilitates collaboration with other research groups in the greater Boston area, conference attendance, and enjoyment of outdoor and cultural activities.
Requirements
The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline, an excellent work ethic, and a strong background in molecular biology. A solid publication record and experience in biochemistry and microbiology are also desirable.
To apply:
Please submit a CV, cover letter describing your research experience and professional goals, and contact information for at least three professional references.
Questions may be directed to Dr. Shell at sshell@wpi.edu. More information on the Shell lab can be found at https://labs.wpi.edu/shelllab.
Salary:
$60,000 - $63,480 per year. Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity. WPI’s benefits package includes a robust retirement match, wellness perks, tuition assistance and more!
FLSA STATUS
United States of America (Exempt)
WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.
LOCATION
Worcester
DEPARTMENT NAME
Biology & Biotechnology - NFR JM
DIVISION NAME
Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
Postdoctoral Research Fellow to study the relationship between RNA metabolism and mutation tolerance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
JOB DESCRIPTION
A position is available in late 2026 or early 2027 for a highly motivated postdoctoral scientist to join Scarlet Shell’s lab in the Department of Biology & Biotechnology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). The long-term goal of our group is to understand the regulatory mechanisms that allow mycobacterial pathogens to tolerate stress and maintain fitness in disease-relevant conditions. We are currently funded by the US National Institutes of Health and the US-Israel Binational Science Foundation. The postdoc will investigate the mechanisms by which M. tuberculosis mitigates the fitness costs of mutations selected by antibiotics and other stressors of infection. They will use a combination of biochemistry, genetics, genomics, transcriptomics, and phenotypic profiling.
WPI is a selective private university dedicated to science and engineering. The Shell lab is located in WPI’s Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, a modern state-of-the-art research facility conducive to collaborative and interdisciplinary research. Worcester is located in central Massachusetts within an hour of Boston, Providence, and the Pioneer Valley. Our location facilitates collaboration with other research groups in the greater Boston area, conference attendance, and enjoyment of outdoor and cultural activities.
Requirements
The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline, an excellent work ethic, and a strong background in molecular biology. A solid publication record and experience in biochemistry and microbiology are also desirable.
To apply:
Please submit a CV, cover letter describing your research experience and professional goals, and contact information for at least three professional references.
Questions may be directed to Dr. Shell at sshell@wpi.edu. More information on the Shell lab can be found at https://labs.wpi.edu/shelllab.
Salary:
$60,000 - $63,480 per year. Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity. WPI’s benefits package includes a robust retirement match, wellness perks, tuition assistance and more!
FLSA STATUS
United States of America (Exempt)
WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.
See all 127+ H-1B Visa Post Doctoral Fellow Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Post Doctoral Fellow Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Post Doctoral Fellow
Verify your institution's cap-exempt status
Most universities and nonprofit research organizations qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, so your petition bypasses the annual lottery entirely. Confirm this directly with your department's HR or international office before accepting an offer.
Request your LCA wage level before signing
Postdoc salaries are often set at DOL wage Level I or II. Cross-check the offered salary against your specific SOC code and work location using the OFLC Wage Search to confirm it meets prevailing wage requirements before you sign.
Gather credential documents early in your search
H-1B petitions for postdoc roles require proof of your doctoral degree and any transcripts showing specialty field alignment. Obtain certified copies and a credential evaluation from a NACES-approved evaluator before your start date approaches.
Filter postdoc roles by H-1B filing history on Migrate Mate
Search postdoc openings on Migrate Mate to see which institutions have active H-1B LCA filing history, so you're targeting employers who sponsor consistently rather than those who treat sponsorship as an exception.
Clarify appointment length against H-1B validity
Postdoc appointments are often one to two years, but USCIS grants H-1B status in up to three-year increments. Ask your employer to align the petition validity with your full anticipated appointment period to avoid premature extensions.
Address specialty occupation proof for your specific project
USCIS scrutinizes postdoc petitions because the title can cover wide-ranging duties. Your offer letter and support letter must tie your specific research project to a theoretical and practical application of your doctoral discipline, not just list generic lab tasks.
H-1B Visa Post Doctoral Fellow: Frequently Asked Questions
Do most postdoc employers sponsor H-1B visas?
Universities, government-affiliated research labs, and nonprofit research institutions generally do sponsor H-1B visas for postdoc roles and typically qualify as cap-exempt employers, meaning petitions filed on your behalf don't enter the annual lottery. Private-sector research employers may also sponsor but are usually cap-subject. Use Migrate Mate to identify postdoc employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history before applying.
Does a postdoc role qualify as a specialty occupation under H-1B rules?
Yes, provided the position requires a doctoral degree in a specific field directly related to the research duties. USCIS expects the employer to document that a Ph.D. is the normal minimum requirement for the role, not merely preferred. Generic job descriptions listing broad research tasks have drawn Requests for Evidence, so your offer letter and employer support letter should tie duties explicitly to your doctoral discipline.
Can I start a postdoc position while my H-1B petition is pending?
If you're changing status from F-1 OPT or another valid nonimmigrant status, you generally cannot begin work until USCIS approves the petition unless a cap-gap or portability rule applies. Cap-exempt employers can file and request concurrent employment authorization in some circumstances. Confirm the exact start-date rules with your institution's international office and verify current processing timelines on USCIS before committing to a start date.
What happens to my H-1B status if my postdoc appointment ends early?
If your appointment terminates before your H-1B validity period ends, your employer is required to notify USCIS and offer to cover return transportation costs to your home country. You have a 60-day grace period to find new sponsoring employment, change to another nonimmigrant status, or depart. Acting quickly within that window is critical since unlawful presence accrues after it expires.
How does the prevailing wage requirement affect postdoc H-1B sponsorship?
DOL requires your employer to pay at least the prevailing wage for your SOC code and geographic area, certified through the Labor Condition Application before USCIS ever sees the petition. Postdoc salaries at some institutions have historically fallen at wage Level I. You can verify the applicable wage for your specific role and location using the OFLC Wage Search to confirm your offered compensation is compliant before your start date.