H-1B Visa Research Assistant Professor Jobs
Research Assistant Professor roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations because they require at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. Universities and research institutions are among the most active H-1B sponsors, and many are cap-exempt, meaning you can start without waiting for the annual lottery.
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Rice University invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Betty and Jacob Friedman Holistic Garden and Lecturer in BioSciences located in Houston, Texas, with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027. We are seeking an entrepreneurial, operationally minded leader to direct the daily site operations, educational program, strategic vision, and community integration of this dynamic academic urban farm.
This role requires a dynamic "academic entrepreneur" who possesses advanced horticultural knowledge, physical site management capabilities, charismatic teaching skills, and collaborative, start-up-style business acumen. Operating at the intersection of practical horticulture, academic instruction, and interdisciplinary outreach, the Director will manage daily urban farm activities, budget allocation, organic crop production, and site infrastructure—including a greenhouse, solar array, rainwater collection, apiary, and composting systems. They will lead and mentor a team comprising a full-time Post-Graduate Fellow/Manager and student workers. As Lecturer in BioSciences, the Director will design and deliver popular undergraduate coursework in horticulture, sustainable agriculture, and related practitioner fields each semester.
Crucially, the Director will establish a strategic vision for generating revenue through produce sales, public workshops, and plant sales, while expanding volunteer initiatives, alumni and donor engagement, and community food system outreach. Beyond campus, the Director will serve as a strategic bridge builder—forging high-impact research, clinical health, and public partnerships across Rice University and the neighboring Texas Medical Center in areas such as garden therapy, public health, and patient wellness.
Required Qualifications
Candidates must have a master’s degree in Public Horticulture, Sustainable Agriculture, or a related practitioner field; or a Ph.D. in Horticulture or a related discipline by the start date. They must have a proven track record in site operations, budget oversight, crop management, volunteer coordination, and inspirational educational instruction.
Procedure for Candidacy
To apply, please submit the following materials online: (1) cover letter; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) experience and vision statement covering operational leadership, crop management, and staff supervision (2 pages max); (4) statement of teaching philosophy (1 page max); and (5) contact information for three references. The experience and vision statement and statement of teaching philosophy may also include plans for fostering an equitable and inclusive learning environment and a gardening team. Applications that are received by November 16, 2026 will receive full consideration, but we will continue reviewing applications until positions are filled. For additional information, please contact Dominique Oumar ( dominique.oumar@rice.edu ), Director of Administrative Operations of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences.
About Rice
Rice University is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian university that aspires to path-breaking research, unsurpassed teaching, and contributions to the betterment of our world. Rice fulfills this mission by cultivating a diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders across the spectrum of human endeavor. In our candidate pools, we seek to attract greater representation of women, scholars of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and others who have historically been underrepresented in the health sciences; accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff varied in background and thought; and maintain an environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our community.
The Opportunity
Rice University invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Betty and Jacob Friedman Holistic Garden and Lecturer in BioSciences located in Houston, Texas, with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027. We are seeking an entrepreneurial, operationally minded leader to direct the daily site operations, educational program, strategic vision, and community integration of this dynamic academic urban farm.
This role requires a dynamic "academic entrepreneur" who possesses advanced horticultural knowledge, physical site management capabilities, charismatic teaching skills, and collaborative, start-up-style business acumen. Operating at the intersection of practical horticulture, academic instruction, and interdisciplinary outreach, the Director will manage daily urban farm activities, budget allocation, organic crop production, and site infrastructure—including a greenhouse, solar array, rainwater collection, apiary, and composting systems. They will lead and mentor a team comprising a full-time Post-Graduate Fellow/Manager and student workers. As Lecturer in BioSciences, the Director will design and deliver popular undergraduate coursework in horticulture, sustainable agriculture, and related practitioner fields each semester.
Crucially, the Director will establish a strategic vision for generating revenue through produce sales, public workshops, and plant sales, while expanding volunteer initiatives, alumni and donor engagement, and community food system outreach. Beyond campus, the Director will serve as a strategic bridge builder—forging high-impact research, clinical health, and public partnerships across Rice University and the neighboring Texas Medical Center in areas such as garden therapy, public health, and patient wellness.
Required Qualifications
Candidates must have a master’s degree in Public Horticulture, Sustainable Agriculture, or a related practitioner field; or a Ph.D. in Horticulture or a related discipline by the start date. They must have a proven track record in site operations, budget oversight, crop management, volunteer coordination, and inspirational educational instruction.
Procedure for Candidacy
To apply, please submit the following materials online: (1) cover letter; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) experience and vision statement covering operational leadership, crop management, and staff supervision (2 pages max); (4) statement of teaching philosophy (1 page max); and (5) contact information for three references. The experience and vision statement and statement of teaching philosophy may also include plans for fostering an equitable and inclusive learning environment and a gardening team. Applications that are received by November 16, 2026 will receive full consideration, but we will continue reviewing applications until positions are filled. For additional information, please contact Dominique Oumar ( dominique.oumar@rice.edu ), Director of Administrative Operations of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences.
About Rice
Rice University is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian university that aspires to path-breaking research, unsurpassed teaching, and contributions to the betterment of our world. Rice fulfills this mission by cultivating a diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders across the spectrum of human endeavor. In our candidate pools, we seek to attract greater representation of women, scholars of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and others who have historically been underrepresented in the health sciences; accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff varied in background and thought; and maintain an environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our community.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Research Assistant Professor
Verify your degree maps to the role
USCIS requires your degree field to directly match the Research Assistant Professor position. A PhD in a tangential discipline can trigger an RFE, so confirm the connection is explicit before you apply.
Target cap-exempt institutions first
Universities, nonprofit research organizations affiliated with universities, and government research labs can file H-1B petitions year-round outside the annual cap. You can start sooner without waiting for October 1 or surviving the lottery.
Search verified sponsors on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter Research Assistant Professor openings by employers with confirmed H-1B LCA filing history, so you're applying to institutions that have already demonstrated willingness to sponsor this exact role type.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating
Run the Research Assistant Professor SOC code through the OFLC Wage Search before your offer conversation. Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your location, so knowing Level I through IV thresholds strengthens your position.
Clarify start-date timing with your department
Cap-subject offers must align with the October 1 fiscal year start. If your position isn't at a cap-exempt institution, your department needs to submit the I-129 during the April registration window, affecting lab onboarding and grant timelines.
Gather funding documentation before filing
Research Assistant Professor petitions often require evidence of grant funding or institutional salary lines to satisfy the employer's ability-to-pay requirement. Collect offer letters, grant award notices, or budget approvals before USCIS submission.
H-1B Visa Research Assistant Professor: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Research Assistant Professor jobs qualify as H-1B specialty occupations?
Yes. Research Assistant Professor roles require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific academic field, which meets USCIS's specialty occupation definition. The degree field must directly relate to the research duties. USCIS also considers whether the institution normally requires that degree for the position, so job postings that list a PhD as required strengthen the petition considerably.
Are universities and research institutions cap-exempt for H-1B filings?
Most accredited universities, nonprofit research organizations affiliated with higher education institutions, and government research entities qualify as cap-exempt employers. This means they can file H-1B petitions at any time of year without competing in the annual lottery. If you're targeting academic positions, cap-exempt status is one of the most practical advantages of pursuing a Research Assistant Professor role.
How do I find Research Assistant Professor employers with H-1B sponsorship history?
Migrate Mate surfaces Research Assistant Professor openings filtered by employers with confirmed H-1B LCA filing history, so you're not guessing about sponsorship willingness. You can also cross-reference DOL OFLC disclosure data by institution name and job title to see how many petitions an employer has historically filed for this specific role type before you apply.
Can I switch from an F-1 OPT to H-1B as a Research Assistant Professor?
Yes. If your institution is cap-exempt, they can file your H-1B petition while you're on OPT without waiting for a lottery slot or October 1. If it's a cap-subject employer, your OPT must remain valid through April when registrations open, and cap-gap protections can extend your authorization through September 30 if your OPT expires before your H-1B start date.
What documentation does a Research Assistant Professor H-1B petition typically require?
Beyond standard I-129 forms, expect to provide your doctoral degree certificate and transcripts, evidence that the position requires a specific degree field, and grant award letters or institutional budget documentation showing ability to pay. If your PhD is from a non-U.S. institution, a credential evaluation from a NACES-member evaluator is usually required to establish U.S. degree equivalency.