H-1B Visa Research Director Jobs
Research Director roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations under USCIS definitions, typically requiring a master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field. Employers must file a Labor Condition Application before sponsoring you, certifying the role meets prevailing wage standards for the location and SOC code.
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Our goal is to build the next generation of AI: autonomous agents that can reason, plan, act, and learn to solve critical problems for an industry leading financial institution. We are looking for architects who will define the future of banking through Agentic AI. The Applied Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning team in Commercial and Investment Banking is transforming operations by leveraging the latest advancements in agentic AI and frontier models. As an Applied AI ML Researcher Director in the Applied AI Research team, you will be a builder, a scientific pioneer and mentor who bridges the gap between leading edge theory and enterprise-grade, large-scale, deployable systems.
Job Responsibilities
- Architect and develop GenAI and agentic solutions to automate complex operational processes
- Assist Lines of Business and teams to directly solve priority use cases within the domain
- Deliver multiple agents that collaborate to solve large, complex problems, orchestrate end-to-end workflows, and scale across JPMC
- Design and build services and libraries that AI teams want to use
- Mentor and inspire a team of AI engineers, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous learning
- Ensure the scalability, reliability, and security of AI/ML solutions in a production environment, with a focus on long-term sustainability
- Collaborate with stakeholders and technical partners across Lines of Business and firmwide to scale solutions and maximize impact
Required Qualifications, Capabilities, And Skills
- PhD in Computer Science or a related quantitative discipline with 8+ years of relevant experience or MS in Computer Science or a related field with 12+ years of relevant experience
- Research experience or work in a top commercial AI research lab
- Deep understanding of AI fundamentals and practical experience with data analysis and experimental design
- Proven track record of deploying AI/ML applications in a production environment at scale
- Familiarity with distributed computing patterns for training, serving, and persistence of state
- Experience integrating user feedback to establish agentic refinement and self-improving AI applications
- Experience in building and leading high-performing AI teams
Preferred Qualifications, Capabilities, And Skills
- Experience deploying models on AWS platforms such as SageMaker or Bedrock will be strongly considered, but not required
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE ACT: This position is subject to Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. As such, an employment offer for this position is contingent on JPMorganChase's review of criminal conviction history, including pretrial diversions or program entries.
About us
JPMorganChase, one of the oldest financial institutions, offers innovative financial solutions to millions of consumers, small businesses and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Our history spans over 200 years and today we are a leader in investment banking, consumer and small business banking, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. We offer a competitive total rewards package including base salary determined based on the role, experience, skill set and location. Those in eligible roles may receive commission-based pay and/or discretionary incentive compensation, paid in the form of cash and/or forfeitable equity, awarded in recognition of individual achievements and contributions. We also offer a range of benefits and programs to meet employee needs, based on eligibility. These benefits include comprehensive health care coverage, on-site health and wellness centers, a retirement savings plan, backup childcare, tuition reimbursement, mental health support, financial coaching and more. Additional details about total compensation and benefits will be provided during the hiring process. We recognize that our people are our strength and the diverse talents they bring to our global workforce are directly linked to our success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. We also make reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as mental health or physical disability needs. Visit our FAQs for more information about requesting an accommodation. JPMorgan Chase & Co. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability/Veterans
About The Team
J.P. Morgan's Commercial & Investment Bank is a global leader across banking, markets, securities services and payments. Corporations, governments and institutions throughout the world entrust us with their business in more than 100 countries. The Commercial & Investment Bank provides strategic advice, raises capital, manages risk and extends liquidity in markets around the world.
Job Description
Our goal is to build the next generation of AI: autonomous agents that can reason, plan, act, and learn to solve critical problems for an industry leading financial institution. We are looking for architects who will define the future of banking through Agentic AI. The Applied Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning team in Commercial and Investment Banking is transforming operations by leveraging the latest advancements in agentic AI and frontier models. As an Applied AI ML Researcher Director in the Applied AI Research team, you will be a builder, a scientific pioneer and mentor who bridges the gap between leading edge theory and enterprise-grade, large-scale, deployable systems.
Job Responsibilities
- Architect and develop GenAI and agentic solutions to automate complex operational processes
- Assist Lines of Business and teams to directly solve priority use cases within the domain
- Deliver multiple agents that collaborate to solve large, complex problems, orchestrate end-to-end workflows, and scale across JPMC
- Design and build services and libraries that AI teams want to use
- Mentor and inspire a team of AI engineers, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous learning
- Ensure the scalability, reliability, and security of AI/ML solutions in a production environment, with a focus on long-term sustainability
- Collaborate with stakeholders and technical partners across Lines of Business and firmwide to scale solutions and maximize impact
Required Qualifications, Capabilities, And Skills
- PhD in Computer Science or a related quantitative discipline with 8+ years of relevant experience or MS in Computer Science or a related field with 12+ years of relevant experience
- Research experience or work in a top commercial AI research lab
- Deep understanding of AI fundamentals and practical experience with data analysis and experimental design
- Proven track record of deploying AI/ML applications in a production environment at scale
- Familiarity with distributed computing patterns for training, serving, and persistence of state
- Experience integrating user feedback to establish agentic refinement and self-improving AI applications
- Experience in building and leading high-performing AI teams
Preferred Qualifications, Capabilities, And Skills
- Experience deploying models on AWS platforms such as SageMaker or Bedrock will be strongly considered, but not required
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE ACT: This position is subject to Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. As such, an employment offer for this position is contingent on JPMorganChase's review of criminal conviction history, including pretrial diversions or program entries.
About us
JPMorganChase, one of the oldest financial institutions, offers innovative financial solutions to millions of consumers, small businesses and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Our history spans over 200 years and today we are a leader in investment banking, consumer and small business banking, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. We offer a competitive total rewards package including base salary determined based on the role, experience, skill set and location. Those in eligible roles may receive commission-based pay and/or discretionary incentive compensation, paid in the form of cash and/or forfeitable equity, awarded in recognition of individual achievements and contributions. We also offer a range of benefits and programs to meet employee needs, based on eligibility. These benefits include comprehensive health care coverage, on-site health and wellness centers, a retirement savings plan, backup childcare, tuition reimbursement, mental health support, financial coaching and more. Additional details about total compensation and benefits will be provided during the hiring process. We recognize that our people are our strength and the diverse talents they bring to our global workforce are directly linked to our success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. We also make reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as mental health or physical disability needs. Visit our FAQs for more information about requesting an accommodation. JPMorgan Chase & Co. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability/Veterans
About The Team
J.P. Morgan's Commercial & Investment Bank is a global leader across banking, markets, securities services and payments. Corporations, governments and institutions throughout the world entrust us with their business in more than 100 countries. The Commercial & Investment Bank provides strategic advice, raises capital, manages risk and extends liquidity in markets around the world.
See all 663+ H-1B Visa Research Director Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Research Director Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Research Director
Verify your degree supports specialty occupation
Research Director petitions face RFE risk when the degree field doesn't align directly with the research domain. A PhD in biology supporting a biomedical research leadership role clears USCIS scrutiny far more cleanly than a general management degree.
Target employers with dedicated research infrastructure
Universities, national laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and federal contractors file H-1B LCAs for Research Directors regularly. These organizations have in-house immigration counsel and established workflows, which shortens your time from offer to petition filing.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level III or IV wage for your SOC code and work location before you negotiate. Your employer's LCA must certify at least that wage, so knowing the floor protects both your offer and your petition.
Search H-1B sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Filter Research Director roles by employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history on Migrate Mate. This surfaces organizations that have already navigated the sponsorship process for this role type, so you're not educating a first-time sponsor during your job search.
Flag O*NET classification in your cover materials
Research Director maps to a specific O*NET occupation code tied to doctoral or master's-level requirements. Referencing this classification in your resume and cover letter helps employers and their counsel build the specialty occupation argument before your petition is drafted.
Request premium processing if your start date is fixed
Research leadership roles often carry specific project launch or fiscal-year start dates. If your employer files your I-129 with premium processing, USCIS issues a decision within 15 business days, giving you a reliable timeline to coordinate relocation and onboarding.
H-1B Visa Research Director: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Director role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, provided the position genuinely requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field directly related to the research domain. USCIS evaluates the job duties, not just the title. A role overseeing active research programs in a defined discipline, such as computational biology or materials science, typically satisfies the specialty occupation standard. Generalist leadership roles with no discipline-specific degree requirement are more vulnerable to challenge.
How do I find Research Director jobs at employers that sponsor H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate filters Research Director openings by employers with documented H-1B LCA filing history, so you can focus your applications on organizations that have already committed to sponsoring this role type. This is more reliable than guessing from job postings alone, since many employers don't advertise sponsorship availability upfront for senior research positions.
Can my employer file my H-1B outside the annual lottery for a Research Director role?
Possibly. Research Directors employed directly by universities or affiliated nonprofit research organizations are cap-exempt under H-1B rules, meaning no lottery applies. If you're hired by a private company conducting sponsored research under a government contract, cap-exempt status depends on the specifics of the employer's nonprofit or governmental affiliation, not the nature of your work alone.
What happens to my H-1B if my research grant or contract ends before my visa period expires?
Your H-1B status is tied to your employer, not the specific grant funding your role. If your employer keeps you on payroll, your status remains valid even if one funding source ends. If your position is eliminated, you have a 60-day grace period under USCIS rules to find a new sponsoring employer, change status, or depart. Documenting employer intent early is important in grant-dependent research environments.
Does a Research Director role typically need PERM labor certification for an H-1B?
No. PERM labor certification applies to employment-based green card sponsorship, not H-1B petitions. Your employer files a Labor Condition Application with DOL to certify prevailing wage compliance before filing your H-1B petition with USCIS. These are separate processes. If your employer also wants to sponsor you for permanent residence in an EB-1B or EB-2 category, PERM may be required depending on the green card category pursued.