H-1B Visa Postdoctoral Research Scientist Jobs
Postdoctoral Research Scientist roles require an advanced degree in a directly related scientific discipline, making them a strong fit for H-1B visa specialty occupation classification. Universities, research hospitals, and biotech firms regularly sponsor H-1B petitions for postdocs, and your existing research credentials are your strongest asset in the filing.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The laboratory of Dr. Kai Zhou at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging seeks a hands-on mass spectrometry scientist or postdoctoral researcher to establish and operate a structural mass spectrometry platform. We welcome candidates with expertise in native mass spectrometry, crosslinking mass spectrometry, HDX-MS, or intact-protein/top-down analysis. Our laboratory investigates how protein structure, interactions, and assembly change with aging and disease. Projects include intrinsically disordered proteins (IDR/IDPs), protein complexes, and ribosomes. The successful candidate will take substantial ownership of instrument operation, method development, data quality, and biological interpretation. The role offers opportunities to develop new workflows and pursue scientific questions in collaboration with protein biochemists, structural biologists, and computational researchers.
LOCATION
Location: Novato, CA (on-site)
Responsibilities
- Establish, optimize, and run structural-MS workflows, including low-flow LC for bottom-up proteomics and crosslinking, and a separate LC workflow for intact-protein and native MS analysis
- Develop native-MS and/or crosslinking-MS methods to characterize protein-complex composition, stoichiometry, interactions, and structural changes. Explore intact-complex analysis and complex-down MS workflows where experimentally feasible
- Prepare and evaluate samples, including buffer exchange, desalting, crosslinking, digestion, and enrichment as appropriate; optimize native SEC or rapid online buffer exchange while assessing sample integrity and complex stability
- Optimize ionization, ion transmission, precursor isolation, and fragmentation for heterogeneous proteins and assemblies; assess instrument performance, troubleshoot problems, and coordinate maintenance and training with vendor specialists
- Establish quality-control standards, reproducible protocols, and reliable workflows for increasing sample throughput, including automated or unattended acquisition, batch QC, carryover checks, and reproducible switching between native and denaturing analyses
- Analyze and interpret spectra with appropriate controls, uncertainty assessment, and validation; distinguish solution-state interactions from source-induced dissociation or adducts and assess crosslink identifications and proteoform/PTM assignments as appropriate
- Maintain clear experimental records and organize raw data, analysis files, and protocols
- Collaborate on experimental design, train colleagues, and contribute to publications and consortium deliverables
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- PhD in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, or a related discipline. Experienced master’s-level applicants with substantial independent instrument-operation and method-development experience may be considered for an appropriate staff appointment
- Demonstrated hands-on operation of a high-resolution mass spectrometer, including acquisition-method setup, performance assessment, and troubleshooting
- Substantial practical expertise in at least one of the following: native MS, crosslinking MS, HDX-MS, or intact-protein/top-down MS
- Experience connecting sample preparation, acquisition settings, data analysis, and experimental controls to reliable conclusions
- Strong scientific reasoning, careful documentation, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Native electrospray, native MS, intact-protein/top-down or complex-down analysis, or multistage fragmentation
- Crosslinker selection, reaction optimization, enrichment, crosslinked-peptide identification, and false-discovery-rate assessment
- Recombinant protein purification, sample-integrity assessment, and troubleshooting aggregation or heterogeneity
- Analysis of disordered proteins, heterogeneous assemblies, or ribonucleoprotein complexes
- Workflow automation, quantitative analysis, or scripting for reproducible data processing; familiarity with crosslinking or proteoform-analysis software. Experience supporting complementary bottom-up proteomics or metabolomics applications is also welcome
Candidates need not have experience in every listed technique. We value demonstrated depth, ownership, and the ability to learn complementary approaches.
COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Annual salary range: $75,920 - $85,500, commensurate with qualifications and experience
- Generous benefits package including health insurance, paid parental leave, vacation/sick, and 401(k) with 5% employer match
- Visa sponsorship (J visa) is available for this position
ABOUT THE BUCK INSTITUTE
Our success will ultimately change healthcare. At the Buck, we aim to end the threat of age-related diseases for this and future generations by bringing together the most capable and passionate scientists from a broad range of disciplines to identify and impede how we age. We are an independent, non-profit institution located in Marin County, CA, with the goal of increasing human healthspan, or the healthy years of life. Globally recognized as the pioneer and leader in efforts to target aging—the number one risk factor for diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, macular degeneration, heart disease, and diabetes—the Buck seeks to help people live better longer. We are an equal-opportunity employer and strive to create an atmosphere where diversity of identity, experience, and background is welcomed, valued, and supported. Candidates who contribute to this diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.
TO APPLY
- Please submit a CV, a brief cover letter, and contact information for three references
- Postdoctoral applicants, please include your completed or expected PhD date
- In your cover letter, describe one representative MS project and specify:
+ The instrument and techniques you used
+ Which sample-preparation, acquisition, troubleshooting, and analysis steps you personally performed
+ A technical problem you solved and how you verified the solution
+ Your scientific contribution and the resulting publication, method, dataset, or operational improvement
INTRODUCTION
The laboratory of Dr. Kai Zhou at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging seeks a hands-on mass spectrometry scientist or postdoctoral researcher to establish and operate a structural mass spectrometry platform. We welcome candidates with expertise in native mass spectrometry, crosslinking mass spectrometry, HDX-MS, or intact-protein/top-down analysis. Our laboratory investigates how protein structure, interactions, and assembly change with aging and disease. Projects include intrinsically disordered proteins (IDR/IDPs), protein complexes, and ribosomes. The successful candidate will take substantial ownership of instrument operation, method development, data quality, and biological interpretation. The role offers opportunities to develop new workflows and pursue scientific questions in collaboration with protein biochemists, structural biologists, and computational researchers.
LOCATION
Location: Novato, CA (on-site)
Responsibilities
- Establish, optimize, and run structural-MS workflows, including low-flow LC for bottom-up proteomics and crosslinking, and a separate LC workflow for intact-protein and native MS analysis
- Develop native-MS and/or crosslinking-MS methods to characterize protein-complex composition, stoichiometry, interactions, and structural changes. Explore intact-complex analysis and complex-down MS workflows where experimentally feasible
- Prepare and evaluate samples, including buffer exchange, desalting, crosslinking, digestion, and enrichment as appropriate; optimize native SEC or rapid online buffer exchange while assessing sample integrity and complex stability
- Optimize ionization, ion transmission, precursor isolation, and fragmentation for heterogeneous proteins and assemblies; assess instrument performance, troubleshoot problems, and coordinate maintenance and training with vendor specialists
- Establish quality-control standards, reproducible protocols, and reliable workflows for increasing sample throughput, including automated or unattended acquisition, batch QC, carryover checks, and reproducible switching between native and denaturing analyses
- Analyze and interpret spectra with appropriate controls, uncertainty assessment, and validation; distinguish solution-state interactions from source-induced dissociation or adducts and assess crosslink identifications and proteoform/PTM assignments as appropriate
- Maintain clear experimental records and organize raw data, analysis files, and protocols
- Collaborate on experimental design, train colleagues, and contribute to publications and consortium deliverables
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- PhD in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, or a related discipline. Experienced master’s-level applicants with substantial independent instrument-operation and method-development experience may be considered for an appropriate staff appointment
- Demonstrated hands-on operation of a high-resolution mass spectrometer, including acquisition-method setup, performance assessment, and troubleshooting
- Substantial practical expertise in at least one of the following: native MS, crosslinking MS, HDX-MS, or intact-protein/top-down MS
- Experience connecting sample preparation, acquisition settings, data analysis, and experimental controls to reliable conclusions
- Strong scientific reasoning, careful documentation, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Native electrospray, native MS, intact-protein/top-down or complex-down analysis, or multistage fragmentation
- Crosslinker selection, reaction optimization, enrichment, crosslinked-peptide identification, and false-discovery-rate assessment
- Recombinant protein purification, sample-integrity assessment, and troubleshooting aggregation or heterogeneity
- Analysis of disordered proteins, heterogeneous assemblies, or ribonucleoprotein complexes
- Workflow automation, quantitative analysis, or scripting for reproducible data processing; familiarity with crosslinking or proteoform-analysis software. Experience supporting complementary bottom-up proteomics or metabolomics applications is also welcome
Candidates need not have experience in every listed technique. We value demonstrated depth, ownership, and the ability to learn complementary approaches.
COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Annual salary range: $75,920 - $85,500, commensurate with qualifications and experience
- Generous benefits package including health insurance, paid parental leave, vacation/sick, and 401(k) with 5% employer match
- Visa sponsorship (J visa) is available for this position
ABOUT THE BUCK INSTITUTE
Our success will ultimately change healthcare. At the Buck, we aim to end the threat of age-related diseases for this and future generations by bringing together the most capable and passionate scientists from a broad range of disciplines to identify and impede how we age. We are an independent, non-profit institution located in Marin County, CA, with the goal of increasing human healthspan, or the healthy years of life. Globally recognized as the pioneer and leader in efforts to target aging—the number one risk factor for diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, macular degeneration, heart disease, and diabetes—the Buck seeks to help people live better longer. We are an equal-opportunity employer and strive to create an atmosphere where diversity of identity, experience, and background is welcomed, valued, and supported. Candidates who contribute to this diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.
TO APPLY
- Please submit a CV, a brief cover letter, and contact information for three references
- Postdoctoral applicants, please include your completed or expected PhD date
- In your cover letter, describe one representative MS project and specify:
+ The instrument and techniques you used
+ Which sample-preparation, acquisition, troubleshooting, and analysis steps you personally performed
+ A technical problem you solved and how you verified the solution
+ Your scientific contribution and the resulting publication, method, dataset, or operational improvement
See all 1,493+ H-1B Visa Postdoctoral Research Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Postdoctoral Research Scientist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Document your degree equivalency early
If your doctoral degree is from outside the U.S., get a credential evaluation from a NACES-recognized evaluator before you apply. Employers and USCIS both scrutinize foreign credentials for postdoc petitions, and an unreviewed transcript can stall your I-129.
Target institutions with cap-exempt status
Nonprofits affiliated with higher education and government research agencies are cap-exempt under H-1B rules, meaning your petition bypasses the annual cap entirely. Universities, NIH-affiliated institutes, and nonprofit research hospitals file year-round without lottery exposure.
Find sponsors with verified H-1B filing history
Search Migrate Mate to browse postdoctoral research roles at employers with confirmed H-1B Labor Condition Application filings. DOL disclosure data shows which institutions actively certify LCAs for research scientist positions, so you're applying where sponsorship is already established.
Verify your prevailing wage tier before negotiating
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location before accepting an offer. Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the applicable level, and postdoc salaries at some institutions fall close to that floor.
Align your offer letter to specialty occupation standards
Your offer letter should explicitly state that the position requires a PhD or equivalent in a specific scientific field. USCIS reviews job duties and minimum requirements carefully for research roles, and vague descriptions of lab duties without degree-level framing invite Requests for Evidence.
Track your six-year cap and plan extensions early
H-1B status is granted in three-year increments up to a six-year maximum. If you're pursuing a faculty or staff scientist role and need longer authorization, ask your employer about filing an I-140 immigrant petition to unlock extensions beyond year six under AC21.
H-1B Visa Postdoctoral Research Scientist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Postdoctoral Research Scientist role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. Postdoctoral Research Scientist positions require at minimum a PhD or equivalent in a directly related scientific field, which satisfies the H-1B specialty occupation standard. The role falls within SOC codes for life, physical, and social scientists, all of which USCIS consistently recognizes as specialty occupations. Your employer documents the degree requirement in the LCA and I-129 petition.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for postdoctoral researchers?
Universities, academic medical centers, NIH-funded research institutes, and nonprofit research organizations are the most active sponsors for postdoc H-1B petitions, and many qualify as cap-exempt filers. Biotech and pharmaceutical companies also sponsor postdoc roles but are cap-subject. Browse Migrate Mate to find employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history for research scientist positions.
Can my H-1B petition be filed while I'm on OPT or STEM OPT?
Yes. If your employer is cap-exempt, they can file your I-129 at any time and you can transition directly from OPT to H-1B status without waiting for a fiscal year start date. If your employer is cap-subject and the selection rules have recently changed, confirm current registration timelines with USCIS before your OPT expiration approaches.
What happens to my H-1B status if my postdoc appointment ends before the petition period?
You have a 60-day grace period after your postdoc appointment ends to find a new H-1B sponsor, change status, or depart the U.S. Your status is tied to employer sponsorship, so you can't simply transfer it. Notify your new employer early so they can file a new I-129 or a transfer petition before your grace period expires.
Does my employer need a separate LCA if I work at multiple research sites?
Yes. Each worksite where you perform H-1B duties requires its own certified LCA reflecting the prevailing wage for that location. This matters for postdocs who rotate between a university lab and an affiliated hospital or off-campus research facility. Your employer must certify each worksite through the DOL's FLAG system before you begin working there.