H-1B Visa Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs
Senior Clinical Research Scientist roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations under the life sciences SOC codes, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. Pharma, biotech, and CRO employers regularly file LCAs for these positions, making them a reliable category for H-1B sponsorship.
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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 1,551+ H-1B Visa Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Senior Clinical Research Scientist
Align your credentials to specialty occupation
Your degree field must directly relate to clinical research science, not just life sciences broadly. A biochemistry or pharmacology degree supporting a clinical trials role reads cleaner to USCIS than a general biology degree for the same position.
Verify prevailing wage before salary negotiations
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level II or III prevailing wage for your SOC code and target metro area. Your offered salary must meet or exceed this figure for the LCA to be certified by DOL.
Target employers with active LCA filing history
Search Migrate Mate to identify pharma and biotech companies that have filed LCAs for clinical research scientist roles. Employers with recent filing history are already familiar with the process and less likely to pull an offer over sponsorship complexity.
Clarify CRO versus sponsor employer structure early
Contract research organizations bill clients for your time, which can complicate the H-1B employer-employee relationship USCIS scrutinizes. Confirm whether the CRO or the pharma sponsor is the H-1B petitioner before accepting an offer.
Request premium processing for protocol-driven timelines
Clinical trial start dates are rarely flexible. If your role ties to a protocol launch or IND filing, ask your employer to file Form I-907 for premium processing so USCIS adjudicates within 15 business days instead of several months.
Document protocol authorship and regulatory submissions
Gather copies of protocols you authored, IND or NDA submissions you contributed to, and any IRB correspondence listing you as a named researcher. These materials strengthen the specialty occupation argument in your I-129 petition.
H-1B Visa Senior Clinical Research Scientist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Clinical Research Scientist role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. Senior Clinical Research Scientist positions require a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field such as pharmacology, biochemistry, or clinical sciences, which meets the USCIS specialty occupation standard. The role's requirement for specialized scientific judgment in protocol design and data interpretation reinforces that qualification. You can verify the occupational requirements through O*NET to support your petition.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for clinical research scientists?
Pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, medical device manufacturers, and contract research organizations are the most active H-1B sponsors for this role. Academic medical centers with industry-funded trial units also file regularly. You can browse companies with verified LCA filing history for clinical research positions on Migrate Mate, which filters employers by role type and sponsorship activity.
How does the H-1B cap lottery affect clinical research scientist roles at CROs?
Most CROs are subject to the annual H-1B cap and lottery. If you aren't selected, some CROs can place you with a cap-exempt institution such as a nonprofit research hospital or university, which can file outside the lottery. Confirm whether your CRO has existing relationships with cap-exempt affiliates before registration opens each March.
Can I switch employers during an active clinical trial without losing H-1B status?
Yes, under H-1B portability rules you can start working for a new employer once they file a non-frivolous H-1B transfer petition, without waiting for USCIS approval. Your original status remains valid during adjudication. However, if your role is tied to a specific IND or protocol as the named investigator, the transition may create regulatory continuity issues beyond the immigration question.
What happens to my H-1B status if my clinical trial is terminated early?
If your employer ends your position before your H-1B period expires, you enter a 60-day grace period during which you can find a new sponsoring employer. A new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before that window closes. If your trial termination is foreseeable, start identifying prospective employers through Migrate Mate early so you don't lose time during the grace period.