H-1B Visa Research Scientist Jobs
Research Scientist roles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations when they require a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field like biology, chemistry, or computer science. Many research positions at universities, pharma companies, and national labs have active H-1B filing histories, and cap-exempt employers can sponsor year-round without the lottery.
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Get Access To All JobsWork Arrangement: Hybrid (On-Site and Remote mix)
Requisition Number: 269487
Regular or Temporary: Regular
Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710
Personnel Area: MEDICAL CENTER
Date: May 5, 2026
School of Medicine Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.
Senior Research Scientist – Computational Cancer Epidemiology (REGAL Research Team)
Role Overview
The REGAL (Research to Eliminate Global Cancer Disparities) team at Duke University seeks a Senior Research Scientist to serve as a key scientific contributor within a high-impact, data-intensive research program focused on cancer health equity. This role is designed for an experienced and analytically rigorous investigator who combines strong methodological expertise with the ability to execute and drive complex research projects forward. The Senior Research Scientist will work closely with Dr. Tomi Akinyemiju (PI) and collaborating faculty to advance the program’s scientific agenda. While overall scientific direction is led by the PI and faculty, this role carries significant responsibility for translating that vision into high-quality, efficient, and methodologically rigorous research outputs. The position requires both strategic thinking and hands-on execution, including advanced data management, statistical analysis, and leadership of manuscripts and grant development.
About REGAL
REGAL is a multidisciplinary research program focused on understanding and eliminating cancer disparities through integrated, multi-level approaches spanning biological, clinical, and structural determinants of health. The program leverages large-scale cohort studies, registry data, and multi-omics platforms to generate rigorous, actionable evidence across the cancer continuum. The team includes faculty, research scientists, postdoctoral fellows, analysts, and trainees working collaboratively in a highly analytical and mission-driven environment.
About the Duke Environment
Duke University provides a highly collaborative and resource-rich environment for interdisciplinary and computational research. The Department of Population Health Sciences and Duke Cancer Institute offer access to extensive data resources, advanced analytic infrastructure, and strong collaborative networks across epidemiology, biostatistics, genomics, and clinical disciplines.
Core Responsibilities
Scientific Contribution & Project Advancement: The Senior Research Scientist will contribute substantively to advancing rigorous and impactful science within the REGAL program by helping to define research questions, develop analytic strategies, and ensure that projects are aligned with overarching program priorities. This role requires the ability to take ownership of key scientific areas and move them forward efficiently, while working in close coordination with the PI and faculty. This involves synthesizing emerging evidence, identifying opportunities for new grants and analyses or extensions of existing work, and contributing to the intellectual development of projects within the program’s strategic framework.
Advanced Data Management & Analytical Execution: The Senior Research Scientist will lead and execute complex data management and analytical workflows across multiple projects, ensuring data integrity, reproducibility, and methodological rigor. This includes developing and implementing data pipelines, overseeing data cleaning and harmonization, and conducting advanced statistical and computational analyses using large-scale and high-dimensional datasets. The role requires deep expertise in epidemiologic and biostatistical methods, including causal inference, survival and longitudinal modeling, and approaches for integrating multi-level data such as genomic, clinical, and social determinants of health. Hands-on coding and analytic execution are central expectations of this position.
Manuscripts, Grants & Scientific Productivity: The Senior Research Scientist will contribute to driving the program scientific output by leading the development of manuscripts, abstracts, and grant proposals. This includes independently drafting and revising manuscripts, contributing to grant applications, and ensuring that analyses are translated into clear, rigorous, and high-impact scientific products. The role requires the ability to manage multiple writing and analytic timelines simultaneously and to move projects from data to dissemination efficiently.
Project Leadership & Coordination: The Senior Research Scientist will lead the day-to-day scientific execution of projects, coordinating across team members to ensure timely and high-quality completion of deliverables. This includes developing analytic plans, tracking progress, troubleshooting challenges, and maintaining alignment between scientific objectives and project timelines. The role requires strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple complex projects in parallel.
Mentorship & Team Development: The Senior Research Scientist will provide mentorship and oversight to postdoctoral fellows, research analysts, and trainees, supporting their development in data analysis, study design, and scientific writing. This includes reviewing analytic code and outputs, providing structured feedback, and fostering a culture of rigor, accountability, and continuous learning. The role also contributes to strengthening the overall analytic capacity and productivity of the team.
Collaboration & Integration: The Senior Research Scientist will work closely with faculty and external collaborators to support interdisciplinary research efforts and collaborative projects. This includes contributing knowledgeably and respectfully to team discussions, supporting cross-institutional initiatives, and representing the program in scientific exchanges as appropriate. The role requires clear communication and the ability to work effectively across diverse teams.
Who This Role Is Designed For
This role is ideal for candidates who:
- Have a PhD in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or a related quantitative field with substantial postdoctoral or equivalent experience
- Demonstrate advanced expertise in statistical modeling, data management, and computational analysis
- Have strong experience in cancer epidemiology, genomics, and/or social determinants of health
- Have a strong track record of leading manuscripts and contributing to grant development
- Are comfortable working both independently and collaboratively to move projects forward
- Are highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to rigorous, reproducible science
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with large-scale or high-dimensional datasets
- Familiarity with causal inference methods and/or machine learning approaches
- Strong proficiency in R, SAS, STATA, Python, or similar tools
- Experience mentoring trainees or junior analysts
Why Join REGAL
This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a high-impact research program addressing critical questions in cancer disparities while working in a collaborative and analytically rigorous environment. The position provides the ability to take ownership of key components of the research portfolio, develop advanced methodological expertise, and contribute directly to meaningful scientific and translational impact.
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions:
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (On-Site and Remote mix)
Requisition Number: 269487
Regular or Temporary: Regular
Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710
Personnel Area: MEDICAL CENTER
Date: May 5, 2026
School of Medicine Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.
Senior Research Scientist – Computational Cancer Epidemiology (REGAL Research Team)
Role Overview
The REGAL (Research to Eliminate Global Cancer Disparities) team at Duke University seeks a Senior Research Scientist to serve as a key scientific contributor within a high-impact, data-intensive research program focused on cancer health equity. This role is designed for an experienced and analytically rigorous investigator who combines strong methodological expertise with the ability to execute and drive complex research projects forward. The Senior Research Scientist will work closely with Dr. Tomi Akinyemiju (PI) and collaborating faculty to advance the program’s scientific agenda. While overall scientific direction is led by the PI and faculty, this role carries significant responsibility for translating that vision into high-quality, efficient, and methodologically rigorous research outputs. The position requires both strategic thinking and hands-on execution, including advanced data management, statistical analysis, and leadership of manuscripts and grant development.
About REGAL
REGAL is a multidisciplinary research program focused on understanding and eliminating cancer disparities through integrated, multi-level approaches spanning biological, clinical, and structural determinants of health. The program leverages large-scale cohort studies, registry data, and multi-omics platforms to generate rigorous, actionable evidence across the cancer continuum. The team includes faculty, research scientists, postdoctoral fellows, analysts, and trainees working collaboratively in a highly analytical and mission-driven environment.
About the Duke Environment
Duke University provides a highly collaborative and resource-rich environment for interdisciplinary and computational research. The Department of Population Health Sciences and Duke Cancer Institute offer access to extensive data resources, advanced analytic infrastructure, and strong collaborative networks across epidemiology, biostatistics, genomics, and clinical disciplines.
Core Responsibilities
Scientific Contribution & Project Advancement: The Senior Research Scientist will contribute substantively to advancing rigorous and impactful science within the REGAL program by helping to define research questions, develop analytic strategies, and ensure that projects are aligned with overarching program priorities. This role requires the ability to take ownership of key scientific areas and move them forward efficiently, while working in close coordination with the PI and faculty. This involves synthesizing emerging evidence, identifying opportunities for new grants and analyses or extensions of existing work, and contributing to the intellectual development of projects within the program’s strategic framework.
Advanced Data Management & Analytical Execution: The Senior Research Scientist will lead and execute complex data management and analytical workflows across multiple projects, ensuring data integrity, reproducibility, and methodological rigor. This includes developing and implementing data pipelines, overseeing data cleaning and harmonization, and conducting advanced statistical and computational analyses using large-scale and high-dimensional datasets. The role requires deep expertise in epidemiologic and biostatistical methods, including causal inference, survival and longitudinal modeling, and approaches for integrating multi-level data such as genomic, clinical, and social determinants of health. Hands-on coding and analytic execution are central expectations of this position.
Manuscripts, Grants & Scientific Productivity: The Senior Research Scientist will contribute to driving the program scientific output by leading the development of manuscripts, abstracts, and grant proposals. This includes independently drafting and revising manuscripts, contributing to grant applications, and ensuring that analyses are translated into clear, rigorous, and high-impact scientific products. The role requires the ability to manage multiple writing and analytic timelines simultaneously and to move projects from data to dissemination efficiently.
Project Leadership & Coordination: The Senior Research Scientist will lead the day-to-day scientific execution of projects, coordinating across team members to ensure timely and high-quality completion of deliverables. This includes developing analytic plans, tracking progress, troubleshooting challenges, and maintaining alignment between scientific objectives and project timelines. The role requires strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple complex projects in parallel.
Mentorship & Team Development: The Senior Research Scientist will provide mentorship and oversight to postdoctoral fellows, research analysts, and trainees, supporting their development in data analysis, study design, and scientific writing. This includes reviewing analytic code and outputs, providing structured feedback, and fostering a culture of rigor, accountability, and continuous learning. The role also contributes to strengthening the overall analytic capacity and productivity of the team.
Collaboration & Integration: The Senior Research Scientist will work closely with faculty and external collaborators to support interdisciplinary research efforts and collaborative projects. This includes contributing knowledgeably and respectfully to team discussions, supporting cross-institutional initiatives, and representing the program in scientific exchanges as appropriate. The role requires clear communication and the ability to work effectively across diverse teams.
Who This Role Is Designed For
This role is ideal for candidates who:
- Have a PhD in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or a related quantitative field with substantial postdoctoral or equivalent experience
- Demonstrate advanced expertise in statistical modeling, data management, and computational analysis
- Have strong experience in cancer epidemiology, genomics, and/or social determinants of health
- Have a strong track record of leading manuscripts and contributing to grant development
- Are comfortable working both independently and collaboratively to move projects forward
- Are highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to rigorous, reproducible science
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with large-scale or high-dimensional datasets
- Familiarity with causal inference methods and/or machine learning approaches
- Strong proficiency in R, SAS, STATA, Python, or similar tools
- Experience mentoring trainees or junior analysts
Why Join REGAL
This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a high-impact research program addressing critical questions in cancer disparities while working in a collaborative and analytically rigorous environment. The position provides the ability to take ownership of key components of the research portfolio, develop advanced methodological expertise, and contribute directly to meaningful scientific and translational impact.
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions:
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh
See all 2,168+ Research Scientist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research Scientist roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Research Scientist
Verify your degree field matches the role
USCIS requires your degree to align specifically with the research discipline, not just science broadly. A biochemistry degree supporting a computational biology role can trigger an RFE. Check the O*NET profile for your specialty to confirm the accepted degree fields before applying.
Target cap-exempt research institutions first
Universities, nonprofit research organizations, and government-affiliated labs are cap-exempt, meaning they can file your H-1B any time without lottery entry. Prioritizing these employers eliminates registration uncertainty and lets you start sooner.
Search verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate
Filter by research or life sciences roles on Migrate Mate to see employers with confirmed H-1B LCA filing history for Research Scientist positions. This surfaces active sponsors rather than companies that listed sponsorship as a general possibility.
Request the prevailing wage tier before negotiating
Your employer files an LCA certifying your salary meets the DOL prevailing wage for your occupation and location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to check the Level I through Level IV wage tiers for your specific SOC code before your offer conversation.
Document your publications and grants for the petition
USCIS adjudicators assess specialty occupation partly through your academic and research record. Compile a list of peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and funded grants before your employer files Form I-129 to support the specialty occupation argument.
Confirm the employer's H-1B filing timeline against your OPT end date
If you're on OPT, your employer must file your H-1B cap-subject petition before your OPT expires or your cap-gap protection kicks in. Confirm your employer's legal team timeline at least 90 days before your EAD expiration to avoid a gap in work authorization.
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Find Research Scientist JobsResearch Scientist H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Scientist role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, Research Scientist positions qualify when the employer requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific scientific field directly related to the role. The degree must be tied to the research discipline, not just a general science background. USCIS evaluates the job duties and the employer's normal hiring requirements together when adjudicating the petition.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Research Scientists?
Pharmaceutical and biotech companies, university research departments, federal contract research organizations, and national laboratories are among the most consistent H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles. University and nonprofit research lab employers are cap-exempt, allowing year-round filing without lottery participation. You can browse employers with confirmed H-1B filing history for research roles on Migrate Mate.
Can I switch research employers while on H-1B status?
Yes. Under AC21 portability, you can change employers if your new employer files an H-1B transfer petition while your current petition is still valid. The new petition must be for a same or similar occupational classification. You can start working for the new employer as soon as the transfer petition is filed, before it's approved.
How does the H-1B prevailing wage work for Research Scientist positions?
Your employer must certify through an LCA that your salary meets the DOL prevailing wage for your specific research occupation code and work location. Prevailing wages are divided into four levels based on experience and responsibility. You can check current wage levels for your SOC code and geographic area using the OFLC Wage Search before evaluating any offer.
Does holding a PhD affect my H-1B petition as a Research Scientist?
A PhD strengthens a Research Scientist petition because it directly demonstrates the specialized theoretical and practical knowledge USCIS looks for in specialty occupation cases. It also makes you eligible for the advanced degree cap, giving you two lottery chances in a cap-subject year. Cap-exempt employers like universities and nonprofit labs aren't affected by this distinction at all.
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