H-1B Visa Research Fellow Jobs
Research Fellow positions at U.S. universities, hospitals, and research institutes regularly sponsor H-1B visas, particularly for postdoctoral researchers and clinical investigators. Cap-exempt employers like nonprofits affiliated with higher education can file year-round, bypassing the annual lottery. Your specialty occupation status depends on demonstrating that the role requires a relevant advanced degree.
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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.
See all 1,058+ H-1B Visa Research Fellow Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Research Fellow
Verify your employer's cap-exempt status
Many research institutions, university-affiliated hospitals, and nonprofit research organizations qualify as cap-exempt employers, meaning they can file your H-1B petition any time without waiting for the April lottery window. Confirm this before accepting an offer.
Document your degree's direct relevance
USCIS scrutinizes Research Fellow petitions when your degree field doesn't map cleanly to the specific research area. Get a credential evaluation and prepare a detailed position description linking your doctorate directly to the proposed work.
Check prevailing wage using OFLC Wage Search
Research Fellow wage levels vary widely by institution type and location. Before negotiating your offer, look up the DOL prevailing wage for your SOC code and work-site zip code using OFLC Wage Search so you know the minimum your employer must certify on the LCA.
Target employers with postdoc H-1B filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Research Fellow roles by employers who have filed H-1B LCAs for your occupation code. This surfaces labs and institutes that have already navigated the process, reducing the risk of an employer who's unfamiliar with the filing requirements.
Request O*NET classification in your offer letter
Ask your prospective employer to confirm which O*NET occupation code applies to your role before the LCA is filed. Misclassification between research and teaching codes is a common RFE trigger for Research Fellow petitions at universities.
Plan around the 60-day grace period between positions
If you're transitioning from one Research Fellow appointment to another, USCIS allows a 60-day grace period after your previous H-1B ends. Your new employer's H-1B petition must be filed, not just approved, before that window closes to maintain lawful status.
H-1B Visa Research Fellow: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Research Fellow positions qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B purposes?
Yes, provided the role requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. For most Research Fellow appointments, a master's or doctorate in the relevant scientific or clinical discipline satisfies this standard. USCIS will review the job duties and the degree requirement stated in the offer letter, so the position description needs to tie specific research tasks to your advanced degree field.
Can a university or hospital sponsor my H-1B as a Research Fellow without going through the lottery?
Many can. Universities, nonprofit research organizations, and hospitals affiliated with institutions of higher education are cap-exempt employers under the H-1B rules. That means they can file your petition at any time of year without competing for the 65,000 or 20,000 annual slots. You'll want to confirm your specific employer qualifies before relying on this pathway.
How do I find Research Fellow employers who actively sponsor H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate shows verified H-1B LCA filing history by employer and occupation code, so you can identify which research institutions and labs have filed for roles matching your field. This is more reliable than guessing based on employer size or reputation, since even well-funded labs sometimes lack H-1B experience for specific research tracks.
What happens to my H-1B status if my Research Fellow grant funding runs out mid-appointment?
If your employer can no longer pay the LCA-certified wage because funding ends, your H-1B status is at risk. The employer is legally required to notify USCIS and formally withdraw the petition. You then have the 60-day grace period to find a new sponsoring employer and have a new H-1B petition filed on your behalf before your status lapses.
Does my postdoctoral Research Fellow appointment count as H-1B-qualifying employment for future petitions?
Yes. Time spent on H-1B status as a Research Fellow counts toward your six-year H-1B maximum and, if your employer or a future employer files an I-140 immigrant petition, toward priority date preservation under AC21 portability rules. Keep copies of all approval notices, pay stubs, and W-2s from every H-1B appointment as documentation for future filings.