J-1 Visa Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs
Behavioral Health Specialist roles in the United States are accessible to international professionals through J-1 visa sponsorship under the Specialist or Trainee program categories, depending on your experience level. A U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019, while your host employer provides the clinical or program setting.
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Postdoctoral Appointee in Adolescent Behavioral Health Research
Specific Title
Postdoctoral Fellow in Psychiatry
Appointment Type
Postdoctoral Fellow
Department
IUSM - Psychiatry
Campus
IU School of Medicine Indianapolis
Position Summary
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Adolescent Behavioral Health Research at Indiana University School of Medicine. The Adolescent Behavioral Health Research Program at the Indiana University School of Medicine is currently seeking applications from highly motivated, team-oriented candidates for a research postdoctoral fellowship. The full-time position will focus on honing expertise and research acumen in the areas of adolescent substance use, mental health, traumatic stress, and behavioral interventions for youth and families. Candidates with interests in developing and implementing applied research projects aimed at improving reach and effectiveness of behavioral health services for young people, as well as understanding more about neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying response to such treatments, are encouraged to apply. The fellow will actively participate in implementation, data analysis, and dissemination of findings (manuscripts, presentations) from multiple funded clinical trials and laboratory studies. Additional opportunities exist to contribute to studies on developmental neuroscience and projects aimed at increasing workforce capacity to deliver evidence-supported behavioral health services. The fellow will receive mentorship from faculty investigators toward the development of an independent program of research. Training will be provided in project design, grant writing, and research ethics. Fellows may have the opportunity to gain clinical hours toward licensure through the delivery of clinic- and telehealth-based assessment and treatment services. Salary and benefits are commensurate with NIH rates based on training and years of experience. The Adolescent Behavioral Health Research Program is a joint effort of the IUSOM Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry. Core faculty include Matthew Aalsma, Ph.D., Zachary Adams, Ph.D., Kathleen Crum, Ph.D., Ally Dir, Ph.D., Leslie Hulvershorn, MD., Casey Pederson, Ph.D., and Tamika Zapolski, Ph.D. The Department of Psychiatry has a broad research, clinical, and teaching mission and maintains a clinical psychology internship, a psychiatry residency program, and fellowships in addition to training rotations for medical and graduate students. Indiana University School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the United States, with a large academic health center in downtown Indianapolis, the 17th largest city in the United States. In addition to having active sports, cultural, arts, and educational events and programs, Indianapolis is located centrally near several other major cities including Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Columbus. IU School of Medicine is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana. IU School of Medicine is closely aligned with our health system partner, IU Health, which has twice earned a place on the US News and World Report Honor Roll. The shared vision of both institutions is to lead the transformation of healthcare through quality innovation and education to make Indiana one of the nation’s healthiest states. IU Health is among the top ten largest single-state nonprofit health systems in the United States operating 16 hospitals statewide (a mix of urban, suburban and rural facilities). This partnership enables the seamless integration of research findings into patient care.
Basic Qualifications
- Ph.D. in clinical, developmental, counseling, or school psychology; social work; public health; neuroscience, or a closely related field; or M.D. child and adolescent psychiatrist. Doctorate or terminal degree required.
- Successful completion of accredited internship, if applicable
- Strong background in quantitative analysis
- Prior experience conducting behavioral health or health services research, as demonstrated by published manuscripts and presentations at scientific meetings
- Team player with strong work ethic and excellent organizational skills
- Commitment to becoming an independent scientist
- Exceptional analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills
Additional Qualifications
Special Instructions
Interested candidates should submit a CV, including contact information for 3 references, as well as a cover letter stating interests, experience, and goals.
Priority Application Review Deadline
Expected Start Date
Posting Number
IUSM-02332-2026
Department Contact for Questions
Tracy Colvill, tcolvill@iu.edu
Title
Postdoctoral Appointee in Adolescent Behavioral Health Research
Specific Title
Postdoctoral Fellow in Psychiatry
Appointment Type
Postdoctoral Fellow
Department
IUSM - Psychiatry
Campus
IU School of Medicine Indianapolis
Position Summary
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Adolescent Behavioral Health Research at Indiana University School of Medicine. The Adolescent Behavioral Health Research Program at the Indiana University School of Medicine is currently seeking applications from highly motivated, team-oriented candidates for a research postdoctoral fellowship. The full-time position will focus on honing expertise and research acumen in the areas of adolescent substance use, mental health, traumatic stress, and behavioral interventions for youth and families. Candidates with interests in developing and implementing applied research projects aimed at improving reach and effectiveness of behavioral health services for young people, as well as understanding more about neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying response to such treatments, are encouraged to apply. The fellow will actively participate in implementation, data analysis, and dissemination of findings (manuscripts, presentations) from multiple funded clinical trials and laboratory studies. Additional opportunities exist to contribute to studies on developmental neuroscience and projects aimed at increasing workforce capacity to deliver evidence-supported behavioral health services. The fellow will receive mentorship from faculty investigators toward the development of an independent program of research. Training will be provided in project design, grant writing, and research ethics. Fellows may have the opportunity to gain clinical hours toward licensure through the delivery of clinic- and telehealth-based assessment and treatment services. Salary and benefits are commensurate with NIH rates based on training and years of experience. The Adolescent Behavioral Health Research Program is a joint effort of the IUSOM Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry. Core faculty include Matthew Aalsma, Ph.D., Zachary Adams, Ph.D., Kathleen Crum, Ph.D., Ally Dir, Ph.D., Leslie Hulvershorn, MD., Casey Pederson, Ph.D., and Tamika Zapolski, Ph.D. The Department of Psychiatry has a broad research, clinical, and teaching mission and maintains a clinical psychology internship, a psychiatry residency program, and fellowships in addition to training rotations for medical and graduate students. Indiana University School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the United States, with a large academic health center in downtown Indianapolis, the 17th largest city in the United States. In addition to having active sports, cultural, arts, and educational events and programs, Indianapolis is located centrally near several other major cities including Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Columbus. IU School of Medicine is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana. IU School of Medicine is closely aligned with our health system partner, IU Health, which has twice earned a place on the US News and World Report Honor Roll. The shared vision of both institutions is to lead the transformation of healthcare through quality innovation and education to make Indiana one of the nation’s healthiest states. IU Health is among the top ten largest single-state nonprofit health systems in the United States operating 16 hospitals statewide (a mix of urban, suburban and rural facilities). This partnership enables the seamless integration of research findings into patient care.
Basic Qualifications
- Ph.D. in clinical, developmental, counseling, or school psychology; social work; public health; neuroscience, or a closely related field; or M.D. child and adolescent psychiatrist. Doctorate or terminal degree required.
- Successful completion of accredited internship, if applicable
- Strong background in quantitative analysis
- Prior experience conducting behavioral health or health services research, as demonstrated by published manuscripts and presentations at scientific meetings
- Team player with strong work ethic and excellent organizational skills
- Commitment to becoming an independent scientist
- Exceptional analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills
Additional Qualifications
Special Instructions
Interested candidates should submit a CV, including contact information for 3 references, as well as a cover letter stating interests, experience, and goals.
Priority Application Review Deadline
Expected Start Date
Posting Number
IUSM-02332-2026
Department Contact for Questions
Tracy Colvill, tcolvill@iu.edu
See all J-1 Visa Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Behavioral Health Specialist
Verify your credentials meet program requirements
The J-1 visa Specialist category requires at least five years of post-degree expertise in behavioral health. Gather documentation of your licensure, supervised clinical hours, and any certifications before approaching designated sponsors or host employers.
Research which J-1 category fits your career stage
Early-career professionals with a relevant degree but under five years of experience typically qualify under the Trainee category, while seasoned behavioral health practitioners apply as Specialists. Misclassifying your category delays the DS-2019 issuance process significantly.
Target host employers with behavioral health infrastructure
Community mental health centers, federally qualified health centers, and hospital-based behavioral health units regularly host J-1 exchange visitors. These settings already have compliance frameworks that support the training plan documentation your designated sponsor requires.
Use Migrate Mate to find J-1-aligned behavioral health roles
Search Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers actively seeking Behavioral Health Specialists open to exchange visitor arrangements. Filtering by role and sponsorship type saves time compared to screening general job boards manually.
Confirm the home residency requirement before accepting an offer
Behavioral Health Specialist J-1 placements at publicly funded institutions often trigger the two-year home residency requirement under INA section 212(e). Clarify this with your designated sponsor before signing an offer, as it affects any future H-1B visa or green card pathway.
Align your training plan with DOL occupational standards
Your designated sponsor will require a detailed training plan tied to your host employer's program goals. Cross-referencing the O*NET profile for Behavioral Health Specialists helps you draft activity descriptions that pass sponsor review without multiple revision rounds.
Behavioral Health Specialist J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Behavioral Health Specialist roles?
Most Behavioral Health Specialist placements fall under the J-1 Trainee or Specialist category. Trainee applies if you hold a relevant degree and have less than five years of post-degree professional experience. Specialist applies if you have at least five years of recognized expertise in behavioral health practice. Your designated sponsor organization, not the host employer, makes the final category determination and issues the DS-2019.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a Behavioral Health Specialist?
Your J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization such as CIEE, Cultural Vistas, or a university-based exchange program, not your hiring employer. The host employer provides the work setting and signs the training plan, but the designated sponsor issues the DS-2019 form, monitors your program compliance, and serves as your legal sponsor throughout the exchange period.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting J-1 Behavioral Health Specialists?
Migrate Mate lets you search for Behavioral Health Specialist roles at U.S. employers that align with J-1 exchange visitor arrangements. Because J-1 hosting is less standardized than H-1B sponsorship, targeting employers with existing behavioral health training programs or academic affiliations increases your chances of finding a host willing to engage a designated sponsor on your behalf.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect Behavioral Health Specialists?
It can, and you need to verify this before accepting any offer. The two-year home residency requirement under INA section 212(e) applies when your J-1 program is funded by your home country's government or the U.S. government, or when your occupation appears on your home country's skills list. Behavioral health positions at publicly funded U.S. institutions often trigger this requirement, which bars you from changing to H-1B or applying for a green card until you fulfill or waive it.
What documentation do I need before a host employer can initiate J-1 sponsorship?
You'll need proof of your behavioral health qualifications, including your degree transcripts, professional licensure or registration, and documentation of post-degree work experience. The host employer must also prepare a detailed training plan outlining your exchange activities. Both sets of documents go to your designated sponsor organization for review before they issue the DS-2019 and register you in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).