J-1 Visa Director Of Research Operations Jobs
Director of Research Operations roles in the U.S. typically fall under the J-1 visa Research Scholar or Specialist category, both administered by a State Department-designated sponsor organization that issues your DS-2019. Finding a host institution willing to coordinate J-1 sponsorship is the first step toward securing your placement.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Postdoctoral Researcher Associate
Job Summary
Institution: Purdue University
The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at Purdue University seeks a postdoctoral researcher in geodynamics and Arctic tectonics as part of the NSF-funded project.
The postdoc will work on the geodynamic simulation portion of the collaborative project aimed at understanding the deformation and driving forces along the Arctic margins of Russia, Alaska, and Canada. The research will leverage rich geophysical datasets, including GNSS velocity fields, ridge spreading rates, and seismic constraints, to develop kinematic block models and 3-D geodynamic simulations. The central goals are to build kinematic models to estimate long-term surface motion and integrate seismic constraints on lithospheric structure and viscosity into 3-D geodynamic simulations to test the roles of ridge spreading, gravitational potential energy variations, and mantle tractions in shaping the present-day stress field.
The initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of renewal. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in geophysics, geodynamics, or a related field at the time of appointment. Previous experience in any of the following areas is desirable: GNSS data processing and analysis, tectonic block modeling, numerical geodynamic simulations, and integration of geophysical datasets. Familiarity with high-performance computing environments and programming for scientific modeling is advantageous. The candidate should be able to work independently and collaboratively, demonstrate initiative, and contribute to mentoring graduate students and interns.
To apply: Please submit a CV, a short statement (2–3 pages) of research interests and experience related to the topic above, and the names and contact information of three professional references. We will continue reviewing applications until the position is filled.
For more information, contact:
Lucy Flesch, PhD
Frederick L. Hovde Dean, College of Science
Professor of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences
lmflesch@purdue.edu
Education
0
Experience
0
FLSA Status
Exempt
Posting Start Date: 11/2/26
LOCATION
City: West Lafayette
Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher Associate
Job Summary
Institution: Purdue University
The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at Purdue University seeks a postdoctoral researcher in geodynamics and Arctic tectonics as part of the NSF-funded project.
The postdoc will work on the geodynamic simulation portion of the collaborative project aimed at understanding the deformation and driving forces along the Arctic margins of Russia, Alaska, and Canada. The research will leverage rich geophysical datasets, including GNSS velocity fields, ridge spreading rates, and seismic constraints, to develop kinematic block models and 3-D geodynamic simulations. The central goals are to build kinematic models to estimate long-term surface motion and integrate seismic constraints on lithospheric structure and viscosity into 3-D geodynamic simulations to test the roles of ridge spreading, gravitational potential energy variations, and mantle tractions in shaping the present-day stress field.
The initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of renewal. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in geophysics, geodynamics, or a related field at the time of appointment. Previous experience in any of the following areas is desirable: GNSS data processing and analysis, tectonic block modeling, numerical geodynamic simulations, and integration of geophysical datasets. Familiarity with high-performance computing environments and programming for scientific modeling is advantageous. The candidate should be able to work independently and collaboratively, demonstrate initiative, and contribute to mentoring graduate students and interns.
To apply: Please submit a CV, a short statement (2–3 pages) of research interests and experience related to the topic above, and the names and contact information of three professional references. We will continue reviewing applications until the position is filled.
For more information, contact:
Lucy Flesch, PhD
Frederick L. Hovde Dean, College of Science
Professor of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences
lmflesch@purdue.edu
Education
0
Experience
0
FLSA Status
Exempt
Posting Start Date: 11/2/26
LOCATION
City: West Lafayette
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Director Of Research Operations
Document your research leadership credentials early
Designated sponsors like IIE evaluate Research Scholar applicants on publications, institutional affiliations, and demonstrated leadership in research administration. Assemble peer-reviewed work, org charts showing your oversight scope, and letters from department heads before approaching any host institution.
Identify host institutions by research infrastructure
Target universities, federal labs, and research institutes that already hold active DS-2019 issuance agreements with a designated sponsor. Hosts without an existing sponsor relationship face months of setup time, which can derail your offer timeline entirely.
Search J-1-friendly Director roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter Director of Research Operations openings at institutions with documented J-1 hosting history, so you spend your outreach on employers already set up to coordinate sponsorship rather than educating them from scratch.
Clarify home residency requirement exposure upfront
Research Scholar J-1 holders are frequently subject to the two-year home residency requirement if your home country government funded your exchange or if your skills appear on the Exchange Visitor Skills List. Confirm your status before accepting an offer, since this affects future H-1B visa or green card eligibility.
Align your training plan with DOL-recognized research management duties
Your DS-2019 training plan must map your day-to-day responsibilities to recognized research operations functions. Cross-reference your proposed duties against the O*NET occupation profile for research administrators to ensure the host and sponsor can justify the placement to DOL standards.
Negotiate sponsor coordination timelines into your offer letter
DS-2019 issuance requires the host to submit financial guarantees and program documentation to the designated sponsor before you can schedule a visa interview. Ask your prospective employer to specify a sponsor submission deadline in writing so the process doesn't stall after you've accepted.
Director Of Research Operations J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Director of Research Operations role?
Most Director of Research Operations placements fall under the Research Scholar or Specialist category. Research Scholar applies when your role involves conducting or directing original research at a university or research institution. Specialist applies when the position centers on observing, consulting on, or demonstrating specialized research management expertise without a primary research component. Your designated sponsor determines the correct category based on your proposed activities.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa for a research operations role?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as IIE or Cultural Vistas, not your hiring institution. The university or research institute where you work is the host organization. The designated sponsor issues your DS-2019, monitors program compliance, and serves as your legal point of contact with the State Department throughout your exchange period.
How do I find employers already set up for J-1 Research Scholar hosting?
Migrate Mate lets you search Director of Research Operations openings filtered by institutions with J-1 hosting experience, saving you from spending outreach on employers who have never coordinated with a designated sponsor. Hosts without an existing sponsor agreement can take several months to establish one, which adds significant risk to your placement timeline.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to this role?
It can. Research Scholar J-1 holders are subject to the two-year home residency requirement if their home country government funded the exchange, if their skills appear on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, or if the U.S. government funded the program. You should review your DS-2019 and consult your designated sponsor before accepting an offer, since waiving this requirement later is a separate, time-consuming process.
What does a J-1 training plan need to cover for a research operations director?
The training plan must describe specific research administration activities you will perform, the knowledge or skills you will gain, supervision arrangements, and evaluation methods. Vague plans that simply list job duties are frequently returned by designated sponsors for revision. Grounding your plan in recognized research management functions, such as those outlined in the O*NET occupation profile for research administrators, strengthens the sponsor's ability to approve and defend the placement.