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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At the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the causes of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia, Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The Center includes Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Population and Public Health, enabling both focused research and translational science. Research at Pennington Biomedical is supported broadly by multiple NIH Research Centers, and includes approximately 65 faculty and 20 postdoctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
All Job Postings will close at 12: 01a.m. CST (1:01a.m. EST) on the specified Closing Date (if designated).
If you close the browser or exit your application prior to submitting, the application progress will be saved as a draft. You will be able to access and complete the application through “My Draft Applications” located on your Candidate Home page.
Job Posting Title:
Postdoctoral Researcher - Mitochondrial Energetics and Nutrient Utilization (MENU) Lab
Position Type:
Other Academic
Department:
LSUPBRC Clinic - MENU Lab (Jacob Mey (00053188))
Work Location:
LSU - Pennington Biomedical
Pay Grade:
Other Academic
Job Description:
Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Mitochondrial Energetics and Nutrient Utilization (MENU) Laboratory.
The Postdoctoral Researcher will conduct advanced, independent, and collaborative research focused on clinical dietetics, precision nutrition and underlying biological mechanisms underlying the relationships between diet and health. This position is responsible for designing and executing innovative research studies, analyzing and interpreting complex experimental data, with particular focus on multi-omics platforms and bioinformatics, and disseminating findings through peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations. The Postdoctoral Researcher mentors students and research staff, collaborates with multidisciplinary investigators, and supports the laboratory's overall research mission while ensuring compliance with institutional, regulatory, and laboratory safety standards.
Major Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and conduct independent and collaborative research studies investigating the physiological mechanisms underlying diet-health and diet-disease relationships using advanced experimental approaches.
- Analyze high dimensional datasets utilizing modern bioinformatics techniques, especially pertaining to metabolic and nutrient utilization pathways.
- Plan, execute, troubleshoot, and optimize complex metabolic assessment techniques, including hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps, oral glucose tolerance tests and mixed meal tolerance tests.
- Design and implement research studies involving analyzing large-scale datasets on diet and health e.g. NHANES and other specialized databases necessary to achieve research objectives.
- Plan, execute, troubleshoot, and optimize complex laboratory techniques, including mass spectrometry, molecular biology, protein analysis, histological and immunohistochemical methods, metabolic assays, and other specialized techniques necessary to achieve research objectives.
- Collect, process, and analyze biological specimens, including blood, breath, tissue, and cultured cells, ensuring sample integrity and adherence to established laboratory, biosafety, and quality assurance procedures.
- Analyze, interpret, and integrate complex experimental data using appropriate statistical methods and scientific software to generate meaningful conclusions and identify future research directions.
- Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, scientific reports, and presentations for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at local, national, and international scientific conferences.
- Contribute to the development of grant proposals, fellowship applications, progress reports, and other sponsored research activities by generating preliminary data, drafting scientific content, and assisting with research planning.
- Collaborate with principal investigators, faculty, clinicians, and multidisciplinary research teams to develop innovative research strategies, establish new methodologies, and advance the overall scientific goals of the laboratory and institution.
- Mentor graduate students, research associates, technicians, and other trainees by providing scientific guidance, technical instruction, and oversight of laboratory activities while fostering a collaborative research environment.
- Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and well-organized research records, ensuring compliance with institutional policies, funding agency requirements, laboratory safety regulations, and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), where applicable.
- Assist with laboratory management activities, including maintenance and calibration of research equipment, inventory management, protocol development, regulatory documentation, and implementation of quality control procedures to support efficient laboratory operations.
- Remain current with emerging scientific literature, technological advances, and best practices nutrition, metabolism, and related disciplines by participating in laboratory meetings, seminars, journal clubs, professional development activities, and scientific conferences.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- PhD in nutrition, physiology, or closely related biomedical discipline.
- Two (2) years of experience conducting independent laboratory research in nutrition, metabolism, or related biomedical discipline, which can include internships, academic research, or work in a clinical or research lab setting.
- Proficiency in a variety of molecular, cellular, biochemical, and physiological laboratory techniques, with the ability to develop, optimize, and troubleshoot experimental protocols.
- Experience analyzing and interpreting complex scientific data using appropriate statistical methods and scientific software, with a focus on bioinformatics.
- Record of scholarly achievement, including peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations commensurate with career stage.
- Knowledge of experimental design, research methodology, and scientific principles applicable to translational or basic biomedical research.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary research team.
- Strong scientific writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to prepare manuscripts, reports, and grant-related materials.
- Experience in mentoring or training students, research staff, or laboratory personnel is preferred.
- Commitment to maintaining compliance with laboratory safety procedures, institutional policies, and applicable regulatory and funding agency requirements.
Preferred Experience
- Clinical dietetics, human nutrition and metabolism, and bioinformatics related to plasma metabolomics and multi-omics platforms.
Pennington Biomedical Research Center seeks to recruit a highly productive workforce with a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.
Additional Job Description:
Competencies:
None
Special Instructions:
Interested candidates should include a curriculum vitae and a statement of research interests (one or two pages). Official transcripts are required prior to hire and are not required at the time of application.
Posting Date:
September 17, 2026
Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):
October 1, 2026
Additional Position Information:
Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For more information, visit PBRC.
Questions regarding career opportunities at Pennington Biomedical should be sent to hrm@pbrc.edu.
Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.
Benefits - Pennington Biomedical Research Center offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!
Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.
Essential Position (Y/N):
Pennington Biomedical Research Center/LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Contact Information:
Questions or concerns can be directed to PBRC Human Resources at 225-763-2776 or hrm@pbrc.edu.
About us:
At the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the causes of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia, Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The Center includes Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Population and Public Health, enabling both focused research and translational science. Research at Pennington Biomedical is supported broadly by multiple NIH Research Centers, and includes approximately 65 faculty and 20 postdoctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
All Job Postings will close at 12: 01a.m. CST (1:01a.m. EST) on the specified Closing Date (if designated).
If you close the browser or exit your application prior to submitting, the application progress will be saved as a draft. You will be able to access and complete the application through “My Draft Applications” located on your Candidate Home page.
Job Posting Title:
Postdoctoral Researcher - Mitochondrial Energetics and Nutrient Utilization (MENU) Lab
Position Type:
Other Academic
Department:
LSUPBRC Clinic - MENU Lab (Jacob Mey (00053188))
Work Location:
LSU - Pennington Biomedical
Pay Grade:
Other Academic
Job Description:
Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Mitochondrial Energetics and Nutrient Utilization (MENU) Laboratory.
The Postdoctoral Researcher will conduct advanced, independent, and collaborative research focused on clinical dietetics, precision nutrition and underlying biological mechanisms underlying the relationships between diet and health. This position is responsible for designing and executing innovative research studies, analyzing and interpreting complex experimental data, with particular focus on multi-omics platforms and bioinformatics, and disseminating findings through peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations. The Postdoctoral Researcher mentors students and research staff, collaborates with multidisciplinary investigators, and supports the laboratory's overall research mission while ensuring compliance with institutional, regulatory, and laboratory safety standards.
Major Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and conduct independent and collaborative research studies investigating the physiological mechanisms underlying diet-health and diet-disease relationships using advanced experimental approaches.
- Analyze high dimensional datasets utilizing modern bioinformatics techniques, especially pertaining to metabolic and nutrient utilization pathways.
- Plan, execute, troubleshoot, and optimize complex metabolic assessment techniques, including hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps, oral glucose tolerance tests and mixed meal tolerance tests.
- Design and implement research studies involving analyzing large-scale datasets on diet and health e.g. NHANES and other specialized databases necessary to achieve research objectives.
- Plan, execute, troubleshoot, and optimize complex laboratory techniques, including mass spectrometry, molecular biology, protein analysis, histological and immunohistochemical methods, metabolic assays, and other specialized techniques necessary to achieve research objectives.
- Collect, process, and analyze biological specimens, including blood, breath, tissue, and cultured cells, ensuring sample integrity and adherence to established laboratory, biosafety, and quality assurance procedures.
- Analyze, interpret, and integrate complex experimental data using appropriate statistical methods and scientific software to generate meaningful conclusions and identify future research directions.
- Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, scientific reports, and presentations for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at local, national, and international scientific conferences.
- Contribute to the development of grant proposals, fellowship applications, progress reports, and other sponsored research activities by generating preliminary data, drafting scientific content, and assisting with research planning.
- Collaborate with principal investigators, faculty, clinicians, and multidisciplinary research teams to develop innovative research strategies, establish new methodologies, and advance the overall scientific goals of the laboratory and institution.
- Mentor graduate students, research associates, technicians, and other trainees by providing scientific guidance, technical instruction, and oversight of laboratory activities while fostering a collaborative research environment.
- Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and well-organized research records, ensuring compliance with institutional policies, funding agency requirements, laboratory safety regulations, and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), where applicable.
- Assist with laboratory management activities, including maintenance and calibration of research equipment, inventory management, protocol development, regulatory documentation, and implementation of quality control procedures to support efficient laboratory operations.
- Remain current with emerging scientific literature, technological advances, and best practices nutrition, metabolism, and related disciplines by participating in laboratory meetings, seminars, journal clubs, professional development activities, and scientific conferences.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- PhD in nutrition, physiology, or closely related biomedical discipline.
- Two (2) years of experience conducting independent laboratory research in nutrition, metabolism, or related biomedical discipline, which can include internships, academic research, or work in a clinical or research lab setting.
- Proficiency in a variety of molecular, cellular, biochemical, and physiological laboratory techniques, with the ability to develop, optimize, and troubleshoot experimental protocols.
- Experience analyzing and interpreting complex scientific data using appropriate statistical methods and scientific software, with a focus on bioinformatics.
- Record of scholarly achievement, including peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations commensurate with career stage.
- Knowledge of experimental design, research methodology, and scientific principles applicable to translational or basic biomedical research.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary research team.
- Strong scientific writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to prepare manuscripts, reports, and grant-related materials.
- Experience in mentoring or training students, research staff, or laboratory personnel is preferred.
- Commitment to maintaining compliance with laboratory safety procedures, institutional policies, and applicable regulatory and funding agency requirements.
Preferred Experience
- Clinical dietetics, human nutrition and metabolism, and bioinformatics related to plasma metabolomics and multi-omics platforms.
Pennington Biomedical Research Center seeks to recruit a highly productive workforce with a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.
Additional Job Description:
Competencies:
None
Special Instructions:
Interested candidates should include a curriculum vitae and a statement of research interests (one or two pages). Official transcripts are required prior to hire and are not required at the time of application.
Posting Date:
September 17, 2026
Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):
October 1, 2026
Additional Position Information:
Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For more information, visit PBRC.
Questions regarding career opportunities at Pennington Biomedical should be sent to hrm@pbrc.edu.
Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.
Benefits - Pennington Biomedical Research Center offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!
Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.
Essential Position (Y/N):
Pennington Biomedical Research Center/LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Contact Information:
Questions or concerns can be directed to PBRC Human Resources at 225-763-2776 or hrm@pbrc.edu.
See all 80+ J-1 Visa Director Of Research Operations Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Director Of Research Operations Jobs.
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.