J-1 Visa Physics Jobs
Physics roles in the United States are available to international scientists, researchers, and students through the J-1 visa under categories including Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Intern, and Specialist. A designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 form and manages sponsorship, while your U.S. host institution or laboratory oversees day-to-day work.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is entering an exciting new chapter with one of the newest and most advanced synchrotron facilities in the world. National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) enables the study of material properties and functions with nanoscale resolution and exquisite sensitivity by providing world-leading capabilities for X-ray imaging and high-resolution energy analysis. This facility is open to users from academia and industry, and its operations are at a time when the world enters a new era with a global economy fueled largely by scientific discoveries and technological innovations. NSLS-II provides the research tools needed to foster new discoveries and create breakthroughs in critical areas such as energy security, environment, and human health.
Position Description
The Optics and Metrology Group at NSLS-II seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance next-generation, non-contact optical fabrication technologies. The successful candidate will contribute to: (1) enhancing removal rate and enabling in-situ beam size and shape control for ion beam figuring (IBF); (2) research & development of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet/Figuring (APPJ/APPF) for efficient figuring and smoothing; and (3) Machine Learning (ML) approaches that improve determinism and predictability across IBF and APPF processes.
This position supports an integrated program encompassing advanced control for IBF, APPJ/APPF capability development, hybrid metrology (coordinate measurement, deflectometry, interferometry), and physics-informed ML. The appointee will collaborate closely with internal teams and external plasma experts to innovate damage-free, roughness-preserving fabrication methods and deliver experimentally validated mirror demonstrations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Einzel-Lens–Enabled IBF
- Design, model, integrate and test an Einzel lens and diaphragm module for IBF, enabling real-time tuning of beam current density, spot size, and focal position.
-
Develop calibration and diagnostic routines (beam profile, shape, current, stability) and implement closed-loop beam conditioning informed by metrology feedback.
-
Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet/Figuring (APPJ/APPF)
- Develop process recipes (gases, RF/DC power, standoff distance, dwell strategy) that achieve high removal efficiency while preserving surface roughness on Si and SiO₂ substrates.
-
Establish plasma and thermal diagnostics (emission, temperature, plume imaging) and integrate in-situ or near-line metrology (e.g., optical coordinate measuring machine) for rapid iteration.
-
Develop physics-informed and data-driven models to predict dwell time, raster strategies, and beam/plasma parameters to meet figure and roughness specifications with fewer iterations.
- Apply metrology tools (e.g. interferometry, deflectometry, AFM, SEM) to quantify figure, slope, and roughness, correlating results with process parameters to refine models.
- Publish results in peer-reviewed journal articles and present findings to management and at scientific conferences.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ph.D. in Physics, Plasma, Materials, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience in optical surface characterization (e.g., AFM, SEM, coherence-scanning interferometry) and statistical analysis of figure and roughness data.
- Hands-on experience with energy-beam surface processing (e.g. APPJ, IBF, Fluid-jet polishing).
- Strong analytical, experimental design, and problem-solving skills, with effective written and oral communication abilities.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Background in surface, materials science or chemistry (e.g., sputtering and etching mechanisms, plasma-surface interactions, roughness evolution).
- Experience designing, building or operating IBF systems, Einzel lenses, high-voltage or vacuum hardware, gas handling systems, or plasma diagnostics.
- Experience applying ML to process modeling or optimization (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow), particularly physics-informed or reinforcement learning approaches.
- Proficiency in control, data acquisition, and instrumentation software (e.g., Python/C++), including experiment automation and data processing.
Other Information:
- Occasional travel requirements
- Work arrangement: On-site
- Candidates must have received a Ph.D. by the commencement of employment.
- BNL policy requires that after obtaining their PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $71,900.00 - $88,000.00 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program
Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory – view more information at www.bnl.gov/real-id. This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act. Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews.
As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements. The credentialing process is completed as part of onboarding and enables access to DOE facilities and information systems. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a UPIV credential. These requirements are established under DOE Order 206.2 Chg. 2, Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM), and DOE Order 473.1A- Physical Protection Program.
About us
Brookhaven National Laboratory delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor
BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file
INTRODUCTION
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is entering an exciting new chapter with one of the newest and most advanced synchrotron facilities in the world. National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) enables the study of material properties and functions with nanoscale resolution and exquisite sensitivity by providing world-leading capabilities for X-ray imaging and high-resolution energy analysis. This facility is open to users from academia and industry, and its operations are at a time when the world enters a new era with a global economy fueled largely by scientific discoveries and technological innovations. NSLS-II provides the research tools needed to foster new discoveries and create breakthroughs in critical areas such as energy security, environment, and human health.
Position Description
The Optics and Metrology Group at NSLS-II seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance next-generation, non-contact optical fabrication technologies. The successful candidate will contribute to: (1) enhancing removal rate and enabling in-situ beam size and shape control for ion beam figuring (IBF); (2) research & development of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet/Figuring (APPJ/APPF) for efficient figuring and smoothing; and (3) Machine Learning (ML) approaches that improve determinism and predictability across IBF and APPF processes.
This position supports an integrated program encompassing advanced control for IBF, APPJ/APPF capability development, hybrid metrology (coordinate measurement, deflectometry, interferometry), and physics-informed ML. The appointee will collaborate closely with internal teams and external plasma experts to innovate damage-free, roughness-preserving fabrication methods and deliver experimentally validated mirror demonstrations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Einzel-Lens–Enabled IBF
- Design, model, integrate and test an Einzel lens and diaphragm module for IBF, enabling real-time tuning of beam current density, spot size, and focal position.
-
Develop calibration and diagnostic routines (beam profile, shape, current, stability) and implement closed-loop beam conditioning informed by metrology feedback.
-
Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet/Figuring (APPJ/APPF)
- Develop process recipes (gases, RF/DC power, standoff distance, dwell strategy) that achieve high removal efficiency while preserving surface roughness on Si and SiO₂ substrates.
-
Establish plasma and thermal diagnostics (emission, temperature, plume imaging) and integrate in-situ or near-line metrology (e.g., optical coordinate measuring machine) for rapid iteration.
-
Develop physics-informed and data-driven models to predict dwell time, raster strategies, and beam/plasma parameters to meet figure and roughness specifications with fewer iterations.
- Apply metrology tools (e.g. interferometry, deflectometry, AFM, SEM) to quantify figure, slope, and roughness, correlating results with process parameters to refine models.
- Publish results in peer-reviewed journal articles and present findings to management and at scientific conferences.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ph.D. in Physics, Plasma, Materials, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience in optical surface characterization (e.g., AFM, SEM, coherence-scanning interferometry) and statistical analysis of figure and roughness data.
- Hands-on experience with energy-beam surface processing (e.g. APPJ, IBF, Fluid-jet polishing).
- Strong analytical, experimental design, and problem-solving skills, with effective written and oral communication abilities.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Background in surface, materials science or chemistry (e.g., sputtering and etching mechanisms, plasma-surface interactions, roughness evolution).
- Experience designing, building or operating IBF systems, Einzel lenses, high-voltage or vacuum hardware, gas handling systems, or plasma diagnostics.
- Experience applying ML to process modeling or optimization (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow), particularly physics-informed or reinforcement learning approaches.
- Proficiency in control, data acquisition, and instrumentation software (e.g., Python/C++), including experiment automation and data processing.
Other Information:
- Occasional travel requirements
- Work arrangement: On-site
- Candidates must have received a Ph.D. by the commencement of employment.
- BNL policy requires that after obtaining their PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $71,900.00 - $88,000.00 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program
Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory – view more information at www.bnl.gov/real-id. This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act. Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews.
As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements. The credentialing process is completed as part of onboarding and enables access to DOE facilities and information systems. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a UPIV credential. These requirements are established under DOE Order 206.2 Chg. 2, Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM), and DOE Order 473.1A- Physical Protection Program.
About us
Brookhaven National Laboratory delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor
BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Physics
Verify your J-1 category before applying
Physics positions span multiple J-1 visa categories: postdoctoral researchers typically qualify as Research Scholars, graduate students as Interns, and industry-based scientists as Trainees. Matching your career stage to the correct category before you apply prevents DS-2019 delays.
Flag the two-year home residency requirement early
Research Scholar and Specialist categories often carry a two-year home-country residency requirement if your exchange is government-funded or in a skills-shortage field. Physics frequently triggers this rule, so confirm your situation with a designated sponsor before accepting a host offer.
Target host institutions with active designated sponsors
National laboratories, R1 universities, and federally funded research centers already hold agreements with designated sponsor organizations such as IIE or Cultural Vistas. Prioritizing these hosts shortens the DS-2019 issuance timeline because the sponsorship infrastructure is already in place.
Use Migrate Mate to identify J-1-compatible Physics roles
Search Migrate Mate to find U.S. employers and research institutions listing Physics positions that align with J-1 sponsorship pathways, filtering by role type and host organization before committing time to a full application.
Build a training plan that satisfies DOL standards
Trainee-category applicants must submit a detailed Training Plan (DS-7002) with phase-by-phase objectives tied to your Physics discipline. Vague plans citing general lab exposure are routinely rejected; specify instruments, methodologies, and measurable competencies you'll acquire.
Confirm your host's J-1 compliance obligations before signing
Your host institution, not the designated sponsor, is responsible for maintaining your SEVIS record accuracy, reporting work-site changes, and updating your program end date through their sponsor. Ask HR explicitly which sponsor organization they work with and how status updates are filed.
Physics J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Physics researcher or postdoc?
Postdoctoral physicists and senior researchers typically enter under the Research Scholar category, which allows up to five years of exchange activity at accredited U.S. institutions or research organizations. Graduate students conducting thesis research usually qualify as Interns, while visiting scientists on short engagements of six months or less often use the Short-Term Scholar category. Your host institution's designated sponsor confirms the correct classification based on your degree level and program length.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa for a Physics position?
Your J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your employer or host laboratory. Institutions such as IIE, Cultural Vistas, or a university's own designated sponsorship office issue your DS-2019 form and hold legal responsibility for your exchange program. The host institution where you conduct Physics research is a separate party and is not your visa sponsor, even if they initiate the process or pay your stipend.
Does working in Physics on a J-1 trigger the two-year home residency requirement?
Physics is listed under skills-shortage fields in many countries and is common in government-funded research exchanges, both of which trigger the two-year home residency requirement under INA Section 212(e). If your DS-2019 is marked with this requirement, you must return home for two years before changing to H-1B visa or applying for a green card, unless USCIS grants a waiver. Confirm your DS-2019 annotation immediately upon receipt.
How do I find U.S. employers willing to host a J-1 Physics professional?
Migrate Mate lets you search Physics roles at U.S. employers and research institutions that align with J-1 sponsorship pathways, so you can identify compatible host organizations before reaching out. National laboratories operated under DOE contracts, R1 university physics departments, and semiconductor or photonics companies that regularly host international scientists are strong targets. Confirming a host's existing sponsor relationship early reduces administrative delays on both sides.
Can a Physics Trainee work in an industry setting rather than a university?
Yes. The J-1 Trainee category explicitly covers industry placements in scientific and technical fields, including physics-adjacent roles in instrumentation, optical systems, and materials science. Your training must be structured with a DOL-compliant DS-7002 form outlining phase objectives, and your host must have a formal agreement with a designated sponsor organization. Industry placements generally cap at 18 months, versus longer durations available under the Research Scholar category at academic institutions.