H-1B Visa Research Specialist Jobs
Research Specialist roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations when they require a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field such as biology, social sciences, or public health. Employers in academia, pharma, and government contracting file H-1B petitions regularly for this title, making it a viable path to long-term U.S. work authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Tax & Research Specialist to join our firm. In this role, you'll support tax compliance, conduct in-depth research on tax laws and regulations, and provide actionable insights. The ideal candidate will also be responsible for overseeing the preparation and review of complex returns, ensuring compliance with tax law, and developing strategies to optimize tax liabilities. This role also involves managing client relationships, mentoring staff, and keeping the team updated on changes in tax regulations.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are looking for someone who:
- Reviews and perfects tax returns while staying on top of the latest tax code changes.
- Leads exciting client projects, with a focus on Partnership tax.
- Dives into tax issues, prepares insightful memos, and optimizes client tax strategies.
- Guides and mentors staff, develops quality control procedures, and drives business growth.
Examples of the duties:
- Review individual, corporate, and partnership tax returns prepared by staff in coordination with existing tax department supervisors and managers
- Lead client engagements across the firm with a focus on Partnership tax
- Electronically research tax issues and prepare position memos to be used during partner/client/IRS review
- Optimize clients’ tax liability and credit reporting to streamline the process and limit clients' tax burdens
- Maintain knowledge of tax code changes, and of accounting procedures and theory in order to properly evaluate financial information
- Be a staff mentor and provide staff with a resource for questions, including technical, procedural, and professional issues
- Assist in developing/implementing/monitoring tax quality control policies and procedures
- Prepare more complex individual, corporate, and partnership tax returns
- Create and deliver tax presentations to partners, clients, and staff
- Facilitate briefing of tax and A&A staff to keep the Firm abreast of new tax issues
- An active participant in business development who cultivates relationships to strengthen both themselves and the Firm
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting.
- CPA or EA certification preferred or currently pursuing.
- 4+ years of public accounting experience.
- Experience with Renewable Fuels is a plus.
- Expertise in technical research and writing.
- Strong leadership and motivational skills, with experience in training and mentoring team members under tight deadlines or complex situations.
- Exceptional client service and relationship management skills with effective, professional communication.
- Strong problem-solving, analytical skills, critical thinking skills, and attention to detail.
- Can work independently but also work effectively with a team.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including but not limited to Outlook, Excel, and Word.
LOCATION
This position is open to remote candidates across the U.S.; however, preference will be given to applicants residing in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin due to proximity for occasional in-person meetings, team collaboration, or client engagements.
WORK HOURS
Hours are normally Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CST.
WHO WE ARE
At Christianson, we’re more than just your local accounting and consulting firm. We’re dedicated to getting to know our clients on a deeper level so that we can not only serve their needs today, but also anticipate future needs and design custom solutions to ensure their success. We create clients for life.
Christianson, PLLP, a locally and nationally respected CPA and consulting firm, provides traditional services such as accounting services, auditing, tax, and estate planning to large and small clients across a variety of industries, from agribusiness and manufacturing to biofuels and health care.
HERE’S WHY WE THINK YOU SHOULD WORK HERE!
With our varied client base, Christianson provides a challenging and fast-paced work environment with a wide range of opportunities for our employees. There is boundless potential for advancement and further education. We’re proud to be a community-oriented firm, and we value staff who understand the importance of giving back to the communities we serve and live in. We are professional, we work hard, but we also like to have fun. We enjoy time together in and out of work with planned socials, contests, and other events.
WE WANT TO SEE YOU SUCCEED
Our firm’s purpose is to Help People Succeed, whether it be our client, our co-workers, or our communities. At Christianson, we take a special interest in pursuing people who have the capacity and desire to help people succeed.
At Christianson, the fuel that drives our best work is collaboration. We’re not just about careers – we’re about opportunities for well-rounded individuals. We strive to give each employee room to grow, as a professional and as a person.
Our experience, expertise, and skills are enriched by the varied landscape of people on our teams and in our communities. We’re dedicated to ensuring everyone at Christianson feels that they belong, that their ideas will be heard and respected, and that their unique perspective is appreciated and honored. Keeping our teammates involved and supported isn’t a one-time act – it’s an ongoing commitment!
Some of the ways we empower our staff include continuing education opportunities; internal councils and committees to drive our wellness, engagement, and DEI efforts; and our annual onsite all-staff retreat we call “Camp Christianson”.
PERKS OF WORKING AT CHRISTIANSON
- Personal Time Off
- Holidays
- Flexible Schedule to help with Work/Life Balance
- Health care coverage
- Dental
- Aflac
- Life, Disability, and AD & D Insurance
- 401(k) savings plan
- Continuing education support, including the cost of training and annual licensing
- CPA exam support
- Employee and Business Development referral programs
COMPENSATION
Salary range: $82,500-$150,000
In addition to competitive salaries, we take pride in offering a comprehensive range of benefits designed to support our team members. These benefits go beyond financial compensation, reflecting our commitment to our employees' well-being, balance, and personal growth. Some additional benefits include: 401(k) contributions, Health & Wellness support, Flexibility, Professional Development, and Seasonal Time-off.
DISCLAIMER: This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. We are an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Tax & Research Specialist to join our firm. In this role, you'll support tax compliance, conduct in-depth research on tax laws and regulations, and provide actionable insights. The ideal candidate will also be responsible for overseeing the preparation and review of complex returns, ensuring compliance with tax law, and developing strategies to optimize tax liabilities. This role also involves managing client relationships, mentoring staff, and keeping the team updated on changes in tax regulations.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are looking for someone who:
- Reviews and perfects tax returns while staying on top of the latest tax code changes.
- Leads exciting client projects, with a focus on Partnership tax.
- Dives into tax issues, prepares insightful memos, and optimizes client tax strategies.
- Guides and mentors staff, develops quality control procedures, and drives business growth.
Examples of the duties:
- Review individual, corporate, and partnership tax returns prepared by staff in coordination with existing tax department supervisors and managers
- Lead client engagements across the firm with a focus on Partnership tax
- Electronically research tax issues and prepare position memos to be used during partner/client/IRS review
- Optimize clients’ tax liability and credit reporting to streamline the process and limit clients' tax burdens
- Maintain knowledge of tax code changes, and of accounting procedures and theory in order to properly evaluate financial information
- Be a staff mentor and provide staff with a resource for questions, including technical, procedural, and professional issues
- Assist in developing/implementing/monitoring tax quality control policies and procedures
- Prepare more complex individual, corporate, and partnership tax returns
- Create and deliver tax presentations to partners, clients, and staff
- Facilitate briefing of tax and A&A staff to keep the Firm abreast of new tax issues
- An active participant in business development who cultivates relationships to strengthen both themselves and the Firm
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting.
- CPA or EA certification preferred or currently pursuing.
- 4+ years of public accounting experience.
- Experience with Renewable Fuels is a plus.
- Expertise in technical research and writing.
- Strong leadership and motivational skills, with experience in training and mentoring team members under tight deadlines or complex situations.
- Exceptional client service and relationship management skills with effective, professional communication.
- Strong problem-solving, analytical skills, critical thinking skills, and attention to detail.
- Can work independently but also work effectively with a team.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including but not limited to Outlook, Excel, and Word.
LOCATION
This position is open to remote candidates across the U.S.; however, preference will be given to applicants residing in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin due to proximity for occasional in-person meetings, team collaboration, or client engagements.
WORK HOURS
Hours are normally Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CST.
WHO WE ARE
At Christianson, we’re more than just your local accounting and consulting firm. We’re dedicated to getting to know our clients on a deeper level so that we can not only serve their needs today, but also anticipate future needs and design custom solutions to ensure their success. We create clients for life.
Christianson, PLLP, a locally and nationally respected CPA and consulting firm, provides traditional services such as accounting services, auditing, tax, and estate planning to large and small clients across a variety of industries, from agribusiness and manufacturing to biofuels and health care.
HERE’S WHY WE THINK YOU SHOULD WORK HERE!
With our varied client base, Christianson provides a challenging and fast-paced work environment with a wide range of opportunities for our employees. There is boundless potential for advancement and further education. We’re proud to be a community-oriented firm, and we value staff who understand the importance of giving back to the communities we serve and live in. We are professional, we work hard, but we also like to have fun. We enjoy time together in and out of work with planned socials, contests, and other events.
WE WANT TO SEE YOU SUCCEED
Our firm’s purpose is to Help People Succeed, whether it be our client, our co-workers, or our communities. At Christianson, we take a special interest in pursuing people who have the capacity and desire to help people succeed.
At Christianson, the fuel that drives our best work is collaboration. We’re not just about careers – we’re about opportunities for well-rounded individuals. We strive to give each employee room to grow, as a professional and as a person.
Our experience, expertise, and skills are enriched by the varied landscape of people on our teams and in our communities. We’re dedicated to ensuring everyone at Christianson feels that they belong, that their ideas will be heard and respected, and that their unique perspective is appreciated and honored. Keeping our teammates involved and supported isn’t a one-time act – it’s an ongoing commitment!
Some of the ways we empower our staff include continuing education opportunities; internal councils and committees to drive our wellness, engagement, and DEI efforts; and our annual onsite all-staff retreat we call “Camp Christianson”.
PERKS OF WORKING AT CHRISTIANSON
- Personal Time Off
- Holidays
- Flexible Schedule to help with Work/Life Balance
- Health care coverage
- Dental
- Aflac
- Life, Disability, and AD & D Insurance
- 401(k) savings plan
- Continuing education support, including the cost of training and annual licensing
- CPA exam support
- Employee and Business Development referral programs
COMPENSATION
Salary range: $82,500-$150,000
In addition to competitive salaries, we take pride in offering a comprehensive range of benefits designed to support our team members. These benefits go beyond financial compensation, reflecting our commitment to our employees' well-being, balance, and personal growth. Some additional benefits include: 401(k) contributions, Health & Wellness support, Flexibility, Professional Development, and Seasonal Time-off.
DISCLAIMER: This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. We are an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
See all 941+ H-1B Visa Research Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Research Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Research Specialist
Align your degree to the role
Your degree field must directly correspond to Research Specialist duties. A general science degree supporting a highly specialized lab role can trigger an RFE from USCIS, so tailor your resume to make the degree-to-job connection explicit before applying.
Target E-Verify enrolled research employers
Universities, NIH-funded labs, and federal contractors must be enrolled in E-Verify, which also signals routine H-1B sponsorship infrastructure. Filter your search to these employer types to avoid organizations that have never navigated the sponsorship process.
Check the prevailing wage before negotiating
Your employer must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your role and location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV wage ranges for Research Specialist before your offer conversation.
Verify your role qualifies using O*NET
Not every Research Specialist position meets the specialty occupation threshold. Pull the O*NET profile for your specific occupation code and confirm the listed education requirement is a bachelor's degree in a specific field, not just any field.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsors with LCA history
Search Migrate Mate to filter Research Specialist openings by employers with verified DOL Labor Condition Application filing history. This removes guesswork about whether a company has actually sponsored this role before.
Start the LCA process before your OPT expires
Your employer files the LCA with DOL before submitting Form I-129 to USCIS. Build at least three to four weeks of LCA certification time into your timeline so the petition reaches USCIS before your work authorization lapses.
H-1B Visa Research Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Specialist role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
It depends on how the position is defined. A Research Specialist role qualifies when the employer requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field directly related to the job, such as biology, epidemiology, or psychology. Roles where any degree satisfies the requirement regardless of field are more vulnerable to USCIS RFEs on specialty occupation grounds. Your offer letter and job description should spell out the degree requirement precisely.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Research Specialists?
Universities and academic medical centers are the most consistent sponsors because many qualify as cap-exempt institutions, meaning they can file H-1B petitions outside the annual lottery. Pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, government contractors, and public health organizations also sponsor regularly. You can browse verified sponsoring employers for this role on Migrate Mate, which surfaces employers with active LCA filing history for Research Specialist positions.
What does cap-exempt H-1B sponsorship mean for Research Specialist jobs?
Cap-exempt employers, primarily universities, nonprofit research organizations affiliated with universities, and government research entities, can file H-1B petitions at any time of year without entering the lottery. If you're hired directly by a qualifying institution, your petition bypasses the 65,000 and 20,000 cap slots entirely. This matters significantly for Research Specialists, since a large share of research roles sit within cap-exempt academic or nonprofit settings.
How does the H-1B lottery affect Research Specialist job seekers at for-profit employers?
For-profit employers in biotech, pharma, and private research firms are cap-subject, meaning your petition enters the annual lottery held each April for an October 1 start date. USCIS first selects from the advanced degree pool, then from the regular cap. Registrations are submitted in March, so you need a job offer finalized well before then. Timing your job search around this window is critical if your target employer isn't cap-exempt.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new Research Specialist employer mid-status?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can start working for a new employer as soon as the transfer petition is filed with USCIS, without waiting for approval, as long as your current H-1B is valid and you've maintained lawful status. The new employer must still file Form I-129 and a certified LCA for your new position. Confirm the new role still meets specialty occupation requirements before the transfer, since the job duties and wage level reset with each petition.