H-1B Visa Research Jobs

Research roles in the U.S. span academia, biopharma, think tanks, and federal contractors, and most require at least a master's degree in a directly related field to qualify as a specialty occupation under H-1B visa. Many research positions also fall under cap-exempt institutions, which means no lottery and faster timelines.

Find H-1B Visa Research Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs22,047+
Work Type84% On-site
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsState Farm

Showing 5 of 22,047+ Research jobs

Quality Consulting Group
Field Research Assistant
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Quality Consulting Group
New 19m ago
Field Research Assistant
Quality Consulting Group
Salinas, PR
On-Site
Bachelor's
2-10

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MERCOR
Research Engineer
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MERCOR
New 55m ago
Research Engineer
MERCOR
San Francisco, California
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Research & Academia
Data Science
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
$250k - $500k/yr
On-Site
None
201-500

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Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Analytical Development Research Scientist
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Vertex Pharmaceuticals
New 1h ago
Analytical Development Research Scientist
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Boston, Massachusetts
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
$103k - $154k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
5,001-10,000

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The University of Iowa
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
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The University of Iowa
New 1h ago
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Environmental Science
On-Site
Doctorate
10,000+

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Johns Hopkins University
Research Assistant
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Johns Hopkins University
New 1h ago
Research Assistant
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
Research & Academia
$17 - $31/hr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Research

Align your credentials to specialty occupation

Pull your role's O*NET job zone classification before applying. Research positions often require a specific discipline, so a degree in biology won't support a materials science role. Gather credential evaluation letters now if your degree is from outside the U.S.

Target cap-exempt employers first

Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and government-affiliated labs are cap-exempt, meaning your employer files the H-1B petition any time of year with no lottery. This matters if you're on a tight OPT timeline or need to start before October 1.

Search verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate

Filter by research job titles on Migrate Mate to find employers with active H-1B LCA filing history for your specific occupation code, so you're not guessing about sponsorship willingness before you apply.

Verify prevailing wage before negotiating an offer

Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV prevailing wages for your research title and work location. Your offered salary must meet the certified LCA wage, so knowing the floor before negotiations protects your petition.

Ask about H-1B timing during the offer stage

Confirm whether the employer files cap-subject or cap-exempt petitions, and whether they cover premium processing. Research grant-funded roles sometimes have start-date constraints tied to funding cycles that compress the standard USCIS processing window.

Document publications and grants for the specialty occupation case

USCIS scrutinizes research roles closely, particularly when job duties span multiple disciplines. Peer-reviewed publications, grant awards, and institutional affiliations strengthen the employer's evidence that the position requires a specific degree in a directly related field.

H-1B Visa Research: Frequently Asked Questions

Do research positions at universities qualify as cap-exempt H-1B sponsorship?

Yes, if the employer is an institution of higher education, a nonprofit affiliated with one, or a nonprofit research organization, the H-1B petition is cap-exempt. That means no lottery, no October 1 start-date requirement, and the employer can file at any point in the year. Confirm the institution's cap-exempt status with HR before accepting an offer, since affiliated entities don't always qualify automatically.

What makes a research role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?

USCIS requires that the position normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific and directly related field. For research roles, that means the job description must tie the degree requirement to a particular discipline, not just any science or engineering background. Positions where a range of degrees could satisfy the requirement are vulnerable to Requests for Evidence, so specificity in the job description matters.

How do I find employers who actually sponsor H-1B visas for research jobs?

Migrate Mate surfaces employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history filtered by occupation code, so you can identify which institutions and companies have sponsored research roles matching your background. This is more reliable than assuming sponsorship based on employer size or reputation, since filing patterns vary widely even among large research organizations.

Can I switch research employers mid-H-1B without losing my status?

Yes, H-1B portability under AC21 lets you start working for a new employer as soon as the new H-1B petition is filed, provided your current petition has been approved and you've maintained lawful status. The new employer files an H-1B transfer petition with USCIS, and you don't need to wait for approval before starting. Grant-funded positions require extra attention because the petition must reflect the actual employing institution, not just the principal investigator's lab.

What happens to my H-1B if my research grant funding runs out?

If your position is eliminated because the grant ends, you enter the 60-day grace period from your last day of employment. During those 60 days, you can file for a change of status, a new H-1B with a different employer, or departure. Research roles tied to specific grants are higher-risk in this regard, so it's worth clarifying whether the employer has a history of bridging researchers to institutional funding when external grants expire.