H-1B Visa Research Intern Jobs
Research Intern roles can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field, such as biology, computer science, or engineering. Many universities, federal contractors, and R&D-focused companies file H-1B petitions for research staff, including interns, making this a viable path for F-1 students approaching OPT expiration.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
A postdoctoral training position is available in the laboratory of Xinxin Song, M.D., Ph.D., in the Department of Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The Song Lab studies mechanisms of regulated cell death, cancer drug resistance, and tumor-microenvironment interactions, with an emphasis on KRAS-mutant cancers. Current projects include ferroptosis and cell-death crosstalk, mechanisms of resistance to KRAS-targeted therapies, and strategies to improve tumor immunogenicity and therapeutic response. The laboratory uses multidisciplinary approaches including biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, genetics, next-generation sequencing, drug screening, and animal models.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Candidates must hold a recent Ph.D. and/or M.D. degree in cancer biology, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, or a related field.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong experience in molecular and cellular biology techniques is required, including mammalian cell culture, Western blotting, gene knockdown or knockout, microscopy, and functional cellular assays.
- Experience with mouse tumor models, organoids, bioinformatics, RNA sequencing, proteomics, or spatial biology is desirable but not required.
- Candidates should have a strong publication record or clear evidence of research productivity, good communication, organizational, and scientific writing skills, the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and strong motivation, reliability, and a genuine interest in cancer research.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested individuals should send a CV, statement of interests, and a list of three references to:
Xinxin Song, M.D., Ph.D.
Xinxin.Song@UTSouthwestern.edu
LOCATION
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
INTRODUCTION
A postdoctoral training position is available in the laboratory of Xinxin Song, M.D., Ph.D., in the Department of Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The Song Lab studies mechanisms of regulated cell death, cancer drug resistance, and tumor-microenvironment interactions, with an emphasis on KRAS-mutant cancers. Current projects include ferroptosis and cell-death crosstalk, mechanisms of resistance to KRAS-targeted therapies, and strategies to improve tumor immunogenicity and therapeutic response. The laboratory uses multidisciplinary approaches including biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, genetics, next-generation sequencing, drug screening, and animal models.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Candidates must hold a recent Ph.D. and/or M.D. degree in cancer biology, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, or a related field.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong experience in molecular and cellular biology techniques is required, including mammalian cell culture, Western blotting, gene knockdown or knockout, microscopy, and functional cellular assays.
- Experience with mouse tumor models, organoids, bioinformatics, RNA sequencing, proteomics, or spatial biology is desirable but not required.
- Candidates should have a strong publication record or clear evidence of research productivity, good communication, organizational, and scientific writing skills, the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and strong motivation, reliability, and a genuine interest in cancer research.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested individuals should send a CV, statement of interests, and a list of three references to:
Xinxin Song, M.D., Ph.D.
Xinxin.Song@UTSouthwestern.edu
LOCATION
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
See all 1,341+ H-1B Visa Research Intern Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Research Intern
Verify your role meets specialty occupation
Pull the O*NET profile for your specific research title and confirm it lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry requirement. Internships framed as "research assistant" or "lab technician" can fail H-1B adjudication if the degree requirement isn't explicit in the job description.
Target employers with cap-exempt status
Universities, affiliated research hospitals, and nonprofit research organizations attached to universities are cap-exempt H-1B filers. You can apply any time of year without waiting for the April lottery window, which is a practical advantage for research internship timelines.
Search LCA filings filtered by research roles
Use Migrate Mate to filter verified H-1B Labor Condition Application filings by research-related SOC codes. This surfaces employers who have actually sponsored roles like yours, not just companies that claim to be open to sponsorship.
Ask employers about concurrent H-1B filing
If you're on OPT and your internship converts to a full-time research role, confirm whether the employer will file a cap-subject H-1B in April for an October 1 start. Missing that filing window while on a short-term internship is a common authorization gap.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your occupational category and location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I or Level II wage for your SOC code before your offer conversation.
Document academic credentials before the petition
USCIS frequently issues Requests for Evidence on research intern petitions where the degree field doesn't obviously match the role title. Have a credential evaluation and a letter from your academic adviser ready before your employer files Form I-129.
H-1B Visa Research Intern: Frequently Asked Questions
Can a research intern position qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, if the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field directly related to the research area. The key is that the position itself must meet the specialty occupation definition. USCIS evaluates the job duties and degree requirement, not just the intern title, so a well-documented role description is critical for approval.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for research interns?
Universities, national laboratories, federally funded research centers, pharmaceutical companies, and technology firms with active R&D divisions are the most common H-1B sponsors for research roles. Cap-exempt employers like universities and affiliated nonprofits can file outside the annual lottery, which makes timing more flexible for internship-to-sponsorship transitions. Browse verified H-1B filers on Migrate Mate to identify which employers have filed for research-related roles in your field.
Does completing a research internship on OPT help with H-1B sponsorship?
It creates a direct path if the employer converts your internship to a full-time role and files an H-1B petition in the April registration window. Your time on OPT doesn't count toward your H-1B status, but it gives the employer evidence that you can perform the specialty occupation duties, which strengthens the petition if USCIS issues a Request for Evidence.
What happens if my research internship title doesn't match my degree field?
USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence questioning whether your degree qualifies you for the specific research role. A credential evaluation from a NACES-recognized agency and a letter from your thesis adviser or department head explaining the connection between your degree and the research duties are the two most effective responses to that kind of challenge.
Is the H-1B cap a problem for research intern sponsorship?
Only if your employer is a private company subject to the annual 85,000-slot cap and the lottery. Universities, affiliated research institutions, and nonprofit research organizations are cap-exempt and can file H-1B petitions at any point in the year. If your employer is cap-subject, timing your internship so the petition can be filed during the April registration period is the practical workaround.