H-2A Visa Research Jobs
Research jobs with H-2A visa sponsorship support field data collection, soil sampling, crop monitoring, and agricultural trials on U.S. farms and research stations. Employers must provide free housing and transportation, pay the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, and demonstrate no qualified domestic workers are available. Positions are seasonal and temporary by nature.
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Get Access To All JobsResearch Farm Technician
IFSI is seeking a highly motivated research farm technician based in Arlington, WI who will primarily support the sweet corn research breeding program, while also assisting the root vegetable breeding program, in the breeding, evaluation, and development of superior germplasm for use in vegetable seed markets worldwide. Illinois Foundation Seeds Inc. (IFSI) is an independent company delivering leading research, product development, licensing and production for the seed industry's vegetable and field crops. Our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Dedication, Collaboration, and Drive are the foundations of our success. We seek a Research Farm Technician who embodies and upholds these values in their daily work. At IFSI our brand purpose is "Growing Together." We believe in fostering growth not only in our research programs but also with our customers, partners, team members, and the environment.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Lead and execute crop management (fertilizer, weed and pest control) for on-site and off-site trials and nurseries. Activities may include spraying herbicides, maintaining accurate application records, and coordinating with 3rd party cooperators and applicators.
- Lead field prep activities in the spring as well as fall field cleanup and tillage.
- Lead all research farm activities related to equipment operation, maintenance, repair, and upkeep of research facilities.
- Coordinate and complete irrigation activities according to needs of the station breeding programs.
- Assist with activities related to variety testing, including coordinating testing sites, seed preparation, inventory management, planting, plot maintenance, and data collection.
- Assist in leadership of pollination, tissue sampling, data collection and disease inoculation in breeding nurseries.
- Assist with nursery harvest, drying, shelling, and treating of resulting seed.
- Lead part-time and seasonal labor daily to accomplish goals of the research program.
- Execute research project protocols, generating high quality, accurate, and timely data to support breeding decisions.
- Collaborate and support breeding program activities as needed.
- Ensure all tasks are completed in a safe, accurate and efficient manner and lead process improvement in these areas.
Qualifications/Knowledge Needed:
- A.S. degree or equivalent years of experience in Horticulture, Crop Science, Agronomy, or related field.
- Ability to operate and maintain farm equipment such as planters, sprayers, tillage, and harvest equipment.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Wisconsin commercial pesticide applicators license.
- Excellent computer skills for data acquisition and reporting.
- Demonstrates high attention to detail and accuracy in all activities.
- Prior experience operating equipment in an agricultural setting and a valid driver’s license required.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Demonstrates strong ability to work independently along with good team leadership and management skills.
- Ability to travel to nursery and trial testing locations.
- Capable of working in greenhouse conditions or fields during periods of high heat, humidity, and rain.
- Ability to lift 75 lbs.
Benefits:
- Employees can expect to be paid between $22.00 to $27.00 per hour.
- Additional compensation may include a bonus (if relevant).
- This salary range is merely an estimate and may vary based on market data/ranges, an applicant's skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other relevant factors.
- Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, life, STD, LTD, retirement, PTO etc.
Reporting:
This position reports directly to the Research Station Manager.
IFSI is an equal opportunity employer.
Research Farm Technician
IFSI is seeking a highly motivated research farm technician based in Arlington, WI who will primarily support the sweet corn research breeding program, while also assisting the root vegetable breeding program, in the breeding, evaluation, and development of superior germplasm for use in vegetable seed markets worldwide. Illinois Foundation Seeds Inc. (IFSI) is an independent company delivering leading research, product development, licensing and production for the seed industry's vegetable and field crops. Our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Dedication, Collaboration, and Drive are the foundations of our success. We seek a Research Farm Technician who embodies and upholds these values in their daily work. At IFSI our brand purpose is "Growing Together." We believe in fostering growth not only in our research programs but also with our customers, partners, team members, and the environment.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Lead and execute crop management (fertilizer, weed and pest control) for on-site and off-site trials and nurseries. Activities may include spraying herbicides, maintaining accurate application records, and coordinating with 3rd party cooperators and applicators.
- Lead field prep activities in the spring as well as fall field cleanup and tillage.
- Lead all research farm activities related to equipment operation, maintenance, repair, and upkeep of research facilities.
- Coordinate and complete irrigation activities according to needs of the station breeding programs.
- Assist with activities related to variety testing, including coordinating testing sites, seed preparation, inventory management, planting, plot maintenance, and data collection.
- Assist in leadership of pollination, tissue sampling, data collection and disease inoculation in breeding nurseries.
- Assist with nursery harvest, drying, shelling, and treating of resulting seed.
- Lead part-time and seasonal labor daily to accomplish goals of the research program.
- Execute research project protocols, generating high quality, accurate, and timely data to support breeding decisions.
- Collaborate and support breeding program activities as needed.
- Ensure all tasks are completed in a safe, accurate and efficient manner and lead process improvement in these areas.
Qualifications/Knowledge Needed:
- A.S. degree or equivalent years of experience in Horticulture, Crop Science, Agronomy, or related field.
- Ability to operate and maintain farm equipment such as planters, sprayers, tillage, and harvest equipment.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Wisconsin commercial pesticide applicators license.
- Excellent computer skills for data acquisition and reporting.
- Demonstrates high attention to detail and accuracy in all activities.
- Prior experience operating equipment in an agricultural setting and a valid driver’s license required.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Demonstrates strong ability to work independently along with good team leadership and management skills.
- Ability to travel to nursery and trial testing locations.
- Capable of working in greenhouse conditions or fields during periods of high heat, humidity, and rain.
- Ability to lift 75 lbs.
Benefits:
- Employees can expect to be paid between $22.00 to $27.00 per hour.
- Additional compensation may include a bonus (if relevant).
- This salary range is merely an estimate and may vary based on market data/ranges, an applicant's skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other relevant factors.
- Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, life, STD, LTD, retirement, PTO etc.
Reporting:
This position reports directly to the Research Station Manager.
IFSI is an equal opportunity employer.
See all 169+ H-2A Visa Research Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-2A Visa Research Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Research Jobs
Match your credentials to H-2A research duties
H-2A visa research roles often require documented experience in field data collection, soil analysis, or crop observation. Gather employment records, training certificates, or supervisor letters that tie your background directly to the agricultural tasks listed in the job order.
Verify the wage rate before accepting any offer
Your employer must pay whichever is higher: the Adverse Effect Wage Rate or the prevailing wage for the specific county. Cross-check the offered wage against the OFLC Wage Search before you sign, because the rate varies by state and crop activity.
Search H-2A research openings on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for H-2A sponsorship eligibility. Use it to find research positions where employers have already filed or are actively seeking DOL certification, saving you time identifying compliant agricultural employers.
Confirm the job order covers your actual research tasks
DOL-certified job orders define the exact duties an employer can assign you. If the order lists crop scouting but your role involves lab sample processing, that mismatch can create compliance problems. Request a copy of the certified ETA-790 job order before travel.
Ask employers about their housing arrangement upfront
H-2A requires employers to provide free housing that meets federal or state safety standards. Research positions at universities or government stations sometimes place workers off-site. Confirm the housing location, distance from the worksite, and whether transportation between the two is also covered.
Time your visa application around the certified start date
Your employer's DOL certification specifies the earliest date you can begin work. USCIS won't approve an H-2A petition before that window opens. Coordinate with your employer so your consular appointment and travel align with the certified period, not before it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find Research jobs that offer H-2A visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find Research positions where employers are already offering H-2A sponsorship. Employers sponsoring H-2A workers must obtain DOL certification before hiring, so listings on Migrate Mate reflect roles that have cleared that federal requirement. You can filter by job type and visa category to target agricultural research openings specifically.
What housing and transportation obligations does an H-2A employer have for research workers?
Your H-2A employer must provide free housing that meets federal or applicable state safety standards for the full duration of your assignment. They must also cover transportation costs from your home country to the U.S. worksite and back at the end of the contract. If you're working at a remote field station or research farm, daily transportation between housing and the worksite must also be provided at no cost to you.
Does seasonal agricultural research work qualify for an H-2A visa?
Yes, provided the position is temporary or seasonal in nature and tied to an agricultural employer's operational cycle. Research roles involving crop trials, pest monitoring, soil sampling, or harvest data collection on farms and agricultural stations typically qualify. The employer must demonstrate to DOL that the work is tied to a defined season and that no sufficient domestic workers are available for the role.
What happens if my H-2A employer extends the research project beyond my original contract end date?
Your employer must file an amended H-2A petition with USCIS before your authorized period expires. Extensions are permitted but each extension is subject to a three-year cumulative limit on H-2A status. DOL must also certify any extended job order period. You cannot continue working past your current authorized end date while waiting for USCIS to act on the extension request.