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 JobsMarket Range: 09
Hiring Salary: $3,946.70 - $4,993.25/Monthly
THIS IS A GRANT-FUNDED POSITION FUNDED UNTIL AUGUST 1, 2028
The Researcher 2 performs a broad range of biological testing and procedures using standard scientific techniques and methods. This position primarily oversees infection, disease and/or immune response in small animals, such as advanced imaging equipment, and standard operating procedures.
Responsibilities:
- Develops and reviews SOPs for assays to measure and detect pathogens and/or immune responses in cell lines, animal tissues, and/or fluids. Provides SOP training for new users on equipment or techniques.
- Designs, optimizes, and/or validates and/or equipment instrumentation by preparing a study design and qualification report.
- Measures the responses of pathogens in small animals to infection and/or therapeutics using classical approaches or more modern techniques such as imaging.
- Utilizes MS Office Suite products and statistical analysis tools to analyze and present data.
- Participates in writing manuscripts/reports pertaining to the data.
- Develops protocols and/or standard operating procedures for all techniques utilized.
- Prepares figures of data for publication.
- Contributes to writing and editing of papers and presentations needed for internal/external meetings.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Virology, Biochemistry, Immunology, or a related field. (Master’s Degree preferred.) (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
Experience: Four (4) years of related research or laboratory experience in a laboratory environment OR Master’s Degree in Molecular Virology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Animal Science, or a related field and two (2) years of related research or laboratory experience. Must be able to pass the Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment for work with Select Agents and Toxins. An annual physical exam is required, including TB testing, Hep B vaccination or positive titer, and tetanus vaccination.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to conduct effective literature searches, analyze, and present data.
- Ability to utilize all MS Office Suite products, Sigma Plot, or other statistical software products.
- Ability to follow protocols and aid in protocol development for standard operating protocols.
- Ability to work in BSL2 or BSL 3 environment.
- Ability to observe and follow appropriate safety and study requirements by reading, understanding, and performing Standard Operating Procedures, Good Laboratory Practices, and study protocols. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required includes Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR), safety glasses, lab coat, closed-toed or shoe covers, and nitrile gloves.
WORK SCHEDULE: This position will occasionally be required to work weekends.
Market Range: 09
Hiring Salary: $3,946.70 - $4,993.25/Monthly
THIS IS A GRANT-FUNDED POSITION FUNDED UNTIL AUGUST 1, 2028
The Researcher 2 performs a broad range of biological testing and procedures using standard scientific techniques and methods. This position primarily oversees infection, disease and/or immune response in small animals, such as advanced imaging equipment, and standard operating procedures.
Responsibilities:
- Develops and reviews SOPs for assays to measure and detect pathogens and/or immune responses in cell lines, animal tissues, and/or fluids. Provides SOP training for new users on equipment or techniques.
- Designs, optimizes, and/or validates and/or equipment instrumentation by preparing a study design and qualification report.
- Measures the responses of pathogens in small animals to infection and/or therapeutics using classical approaches or more modern techniques such as imaging.
- Utilizes MS Office Suite products and statistical analysis tools to analyze and present data.
- Participates in writing manuscripts/reports pertaining to the data.
- Develops protocols and/or standard operating procedures for all techniques utilized.
- Prepares figures of data for publication.
- Contributes to writing and editing of papers and presentations needed for internal/external meetings.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Virology, Biochemistry, Immunology, or a related field. (Master’s Degree preferred.) (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
Experience: Four (4) years of related research or laboratory experience in a laboratory environment OR Master’s Degree in Molecular Virology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Animal Science, or a related field and two (2) years of related research or laboratory experience. Must be able to pass the Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment for work with Select Agents and Toxins. An annual physical exam is required, including TB testing, Hep B vaccination or positive titer, and tetanus vaccination.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to conduct effective literature searches, analyze, and present data.
- Ability to utilize all MS Office Suite products, Sigma Plot, or other statistical software products.
- Ability to follow protocols and aid in protocol development for standard operating protocols.
- Ability to work in BSL2 or BSL 3 environment.
- Ability to observe and follow appropriate safety and study requirements by reading, understanding, and performing Standard Operating Procedures, Good Laboratory Practices, and study protocols. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required includes Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR), safety glasses, lab coat, closed-toed or shoe covers, and nitrile gloves.
WORK SCHEDULE: This position will occasionally be required to work weekends.
See all 1,564+ 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.