H-1B Visa Scientist Jobs

Scientist roles qualify for H-1B sponsorship when they require at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field, chemistry, biology, physics, or a related discipline. Many research and industry employers file LCAs through DOL and sponsor H-1B petitions annually. Finding one with active filing history cuts your search time significantly.

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Overview

Open Jobs5,105+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type83% On-site
Median Salary$132K
Top LocationSan Francisco, CA
Most JobsQuest Diagnostics

Showing 5 of 5,105+ Scientist jobs

The Jackson Laboratory
Scientist
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The Jackson Laboratory
Added 3d ago
Scientist
The Jackson Laboratory
Sacramento, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
$99,284/yr - $129,069/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Master's
1,001-5,000

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Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy
Scientist
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Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy
Added 4d ago
Scientist
Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy
Baltimore, Maryland
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Clinical Trials
Hybrid
Doctorate
1,001-5,000

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AstraZeneca
Scientist
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AstraZeneca
Added 6d ago
Scientist
AstraZeneca
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
On-Site
1+ yr exp.
Master's
10,000+

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bioMerieux
Scientist
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bioMerieux
Added 6d ago
Scientist
bioMerieux
Hazelwood, Missouri
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
$68,000/yr - $95,500/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Artech, LLC
Scientist
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Artech, LLC
Added 1w ago
Scientist
Artech, LLC
Spring House, Pennsylvania
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
Not listed
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Tips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Scientist

Match your degree to the SOC code

USCIS evaluates whether your degree field directly relates to your scientist role using the SOC code on the LCA. Pull the O*NET profile for your specialty, biological scientist, chemist, materials scientist, to confirm the listed education requirements match your credentials before applying.

Target employers with certified LCA history

Not every lab or research organization files H-1B petitions regularly. Use the OFLC Wage Search to verify whether a prospective employer has certified LCAs for scientist roles in your specialty, this signals real sponsorship capacity, not just stated willingness.

Verify your role clears the specialty occupation threshold

Scientist positions at federal contractors or national labs sometimes have job descriptions broad enough to trigger an RFE from USCIS. Your offer letter and job duties should explicitly require a specific degree field, not just a generic science background, to satisfy the specialty occupation standard.

Use Migrate Mate to filter by H-1B filing history

Search Migrate Mate to surface scientist roles at employers with verified DOL Labor Condition Application filing records. Targeting employers who have sponsored before reduces uncertainty and speeds up your path from offer to petition filing.

Ask about prevailing wage level during offer negotiation

DOL requires employers to pay at least the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up Level I through Level IV wages for your scientist specialty before negotiating, so you can confirm the offered salary satisfies the LCA requirement.

File during cap season with your 60-day grace period in mind

If you're transitioning from OPT or CPT, your employer must file your H-1B petition during the April cap season for an October 1 start. Factor in the 60-day grace period after OPT expiration when timing your job search and offer acceptance.

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Scientist H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions

Do scientist roles qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?

Most scientist positions qualify when the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific scientific discipline, chemistry, biology, environmental science, or a related field. The key is that the degree field must be directly tied to the job duties. Roles with vague requirements like 'any science degree' can face scrutiny from USCIS, so the job description should specify the discipline.

Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for scientists?

Pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, national laboratories, government contractors, academic research institutions, and environmental consulting firms are among the most active H-1B sponsors for scientist roles. To find employers with verified filing history rather than guessing, browse scientist listings on Migrate Mate, which surfaces roles at employers with documented LCA certifications through DOL.

How does the prevailing wage requirement affect scientist H-1B petitions?

Before filing an H-1B petition, your employer must obtain a certified LCA from DOL confirming the offered salary meets the prevailing wage for your SOC code in the work location. Prevailing wages vary by specialty and geography, a materials scientist in San Francisco faces a different wage floor than the same role in Ohio. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the applicable wage level before accepting an offer.

Can a scientist on OPT transfer to H-1B status without leaving the U.S.?

Yes. If your employer files an H-1B cap-subject petition during the April filing window and it's selected in the lottery, USCIS can approve a change of status from F-1 OPT to H-1B effective October 1, without you leaving the country. If your OPT expires before October 1, the cap-gap rule extends your authorization as long as the petition is timely filed and pending.

What documentation strengthens an H-1B petition for a scientist role?

Strong petitions include a detailed job description that lists specific scientific duties tied to your degree field, transcripts showing your major and coursework, and an expert opinion letter if your degree title doesn't exactly match the job title. If you hold a three-year international degree, an academic credential evaluation establishing equivalency to a U.S. bachelor's degree is also important for satisfying USCIS standards.

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