H-1B Visa Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs
Postdoctoral Research Fellow positions at U.S. universities and research institutions are among the most common H-1B visa specialty occupation roles, with employers regularly filing petitions for researchers in STEM, social sciences, and humanities. Many institutions are cap-exempt, meaning your petition can be filed year-round without waiting for the annual lottery.
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Hematology and Oncology
- 51072
- 1 Boston Medical Center Place, Boston, Massachusetts
- Full Time
Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Department: Hematology and Oncology
Location: Boston, MA
Schedule: 40 hours per week, On-site
Position Summary:
The Dries Lab is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to build novel computational methods for spatial omics and help drive the development of spatial data analysis software, specifically within Giotto Suite. This is a dynamic role designed for a researcher with a strong capacity for multi-tasking and project management. You will be working in an environment that integrates both wet and dry lab approaches. The successful candidate will play a critical part in pushing collaborative projects across the finish line while actively helping in supervising and mentoring trainees in the lab.
Positioned at the cutting edge of computational biology, this role involves designing robust analytical pipelines, interpreting complex and large-scale spatial datasets, and contributing to high-impact scientific publications. While project execution is key there are ample opportunities to explore and develop your own innovative research ideas.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Data Analysis: Performs advanced analyses of large-scale and 3D spatial datasets to evaluate research questions and generate biological insights.
- Software & Method Development: Contributes to the design, implementation, and expansion of spatial data analysis software (focusing on the Giotto Suite). Develops and troubleshoots novel computational methodologies and analytical pipelines.
- Project Management: Manages and executes collaborative projects and ensures that research objectives, data analyses and publication milestones are met efficiently.
- Mentorship & Leadership: Actively supervises, guides, and advises students and junior lab members on method development, coding best practices, and data interpretation.
- Scientific Communication: Writes and prepares manuscripts in conjunction with the principal investigator and collaborators. Presents research findings at local and international scientific meetings.
- Continuous Innovation & Independent Research: Conducts independent literature and technology searches to identify and integrate new techniques (e.g., image analysis, new omics platforms) into the lab's analytical repertoire, while actively exploring your own scientific questions.
- Performs other tasks as needed.
The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required.
Job Requirements
Education
- Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Data Science, or a closely related field.
Preferred Qualifications (Considered a Strong Plus)
- Expertise in spatial multi-omics data analysis and technologies.
- Advanced experience with image analysis techniques.
- Familiarity or hands-on experience with generative AI and its application to biological datasets.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Strong programming and software engineering skills required (e.g., R, Rust, Python, SQL, and/or C++).
- Demonstrated publication record with evidence of successfully completing projects and publishing impactful scientific papers required.
- Strong organizational skills with a proven ability to multi-task, prioritize workflows, and drive collaborative projects to completion.
- Excellent communication skills and a strong desire to mentor junior researchers.
- We highly value a collaborative spirit, and the ideal candidate must be a strong team player and a great fit for our multidisciplinary group.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
As the primary teaching hospital for Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and BU schools of public health and dentistry, intellectual rigor shapes our inquiries. Our research is led by a belief that skin color, zip code, and financial circumstances shouldn’t dictate health.
Boston Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e-mail to Talentacquisition@bmc.org or call 617-638-8582 to let us know the nature of your request.
Compensation Range:
$66,000.00 - $96,000.00
This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, skills, and certifications/licensures as they directly relate to position requirements; as well as business/organizational needs, internal equity, and market-competitiveness. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), discretionary annual bonuses and merit increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family well-being.
NOTE: This range is based on Boston-area data, and is subject to modification based on geographic location.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans
According to the FTC, there has been a rise in employment offer scams. Our current job openings are listed on our website and applications are received only through our website. We do not ask or require downloads of any applications, or “apps” job offers are not extended over text messages or social media platforms. We do not ask individuals to purchase equipment for or prior to employment.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Verify your institution's cap-exempt status
Universities, nonprofit research organizations, and government research entities are typically cap-exempt under USCIS rules. Confirm this before accepting an offer, cap-exempt employers can file your H-1B petition any time of year, not just during the April lottery window.
Document your specialty occupation with O*NET
Pull the O*NET occupation profile for Postsecondary Teachers or your specific research discipline. Use it to show your role requires a directly related bachelor's degree or higher, which is the core H-1B specialty occupation requirement USCIS scrutinizes.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Run your job title, SOC code, and work location through the OFLC Wage Search before finalizing compensation. Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage level, and a mismatch can delay certification or trigger a compliance issue.
Search postdoc roles on Migrate Mate by LCA history
Filter Migrate Mate's job board by employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history in your research field. This surfaces institutions that have actively sponsored postdocs before, cutting out the back-and-forth of asking HR whether they sponsor.
Time your F-1 OPT end date against the H-1B filing window
If you're transitioning from F-1 OPT, your employer must file Form I-129 before your OPT expires. For cap-exempt institutions, this is flexible, but plan a 90-day lead time to allow for LCA certification and petition preparation before your authorization lapses.
Request a written sponsorship commitment before you resign
Ask the principal investigator or HR to confirm in writing that the institution will sponsor your H-1B, cover filing fees, and retain you for the petition's validity period. Verbal assurances from a PI don't bind the university's HR or sponsored programs office.
H-1B Visa Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Frequently Asked Questions
Do most postdoctoral research positions qualify as H-1B specialty occupations?
Yes. Postdoctoral Research Fellow roles almost universally qualify because they require at minimum a doctorate or equivalent in a directly related field. USCIS classifies these positions under specialty occupation rules, and the required-degree connection is straightforward for research roles in STEM, social sciences, and humanities. The employer documents this in the H-1B petition using the job description and your credentials.
Can a university sponsor my H-1B without going through the lottery?
Most universities, colleges, and affiliated nonprofit research institutions are cap-exempt under the H-1B rules. This means they can file your petition at any point in the year and bypass the annual 85,000-slot cap entirely. Confirm your specific employer's cap-exempt status with their sponsored programs or HR office before counting on this, since not every affiliated entity qualifies automatically.
How do I find postdoc employers with a track record of H-1B sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lets you search Postdoctoral Research Fellow positions filtered by employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history. This shows you which institutions have actively filed for researchers in your field, so you're not starting conversations with employers who have no process in place. DOL LCA disclosure data is public and updated quarterly, making it a reliable proxy for sponsorship track record.
Who pays the H-1B filing fees for a postdoc position?
USCIS prohibits employers from passing certain mandatory H-1B filing fees to the employee. The base I-129 petition fee and the asylum program fee must be paid by the employer. Premium processing is optional and sometimes negotiable. Universities often have standard sponsored programs policies on fee coverage, so ask HR specifically which fees the institution absorbs before your petition is filed.
What happens to my H-1B status if my postdoc funding runs out or the grant ends?
Your H-1B status is tied to your specific employer and position. If your grant ends and the institution can no longer employ you, your authorized period of stay ends with it. You have a 60-day grace period after your last day of employment to find a new sponsor, change status, or depart. If a new institution wants to hire you, they file a new H-1B transfer petition, which can be filed while you're still within the grace period.