J-1 Visa Post Doctoral Fellow Jobs
Post Doctoral Fellow positions in the U.S. are typically supported through the J-1 visa Research Scholar or Short-Term Scholar program category, with sponsorship issued by a State Department-designated organization such as a university or research institute. Host institutions initiate the process, but the DS-2019 comes from the designated sponsor.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Post-Doctoral Fellow - Physics and Astronomy - Laser Optics
Posting End Date: August 13, 2026
*NOTE: Last day to apply is Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 11:59pm (MT)
Position Start Date: October 1, 2026
Required Degree:
Ph.D. in Physics, or Applied Physics, or Optics.
The required degree must be completed by the start date.
Experience:
Prior physics-related research experience. Strong theoretical foundation in physics, with preference for electrodynamics and light propagation. Preferred experience with instrumentation, vacuum technology, lasers, optics.
Duties/Expectations:
- Use a laser system and other equipment to study light-matter interactions.
- Lead a project to increase the spatial and temporal contrast of the laser to enable measurement of coherence effects in nonlinear Thomson scattering or other measurements.
- Assist faculty in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students on these and other laser and optics-related projects.
- Write scientific publications and present at meetings.
Documents Required at the Time of Application: Please attach your updated curriculum vitae, cover letter, and Mission Alignment Statement (instructions below) to the faculty application.
Note: Failure to attach the required documents may result in your application not being considered.
This position requires the successful candidate to relocate and/or reside in Utah for the duration of their employment.
MISSION ALIGNMENT STATEMENT INSTRUCTIONS
If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
BYU is committed to hiring faculty members who enthusiastically embrace and energetically advance its unique mission. To this end, please include a one-page mission alignment statement as part of your application that addresses how you might, as a BYU faculty member: (1) live a life of loyalty to Jesus Christ and His restored Church and align yourself with doctrine and teachings declared by living prophets, seers, and revelators; (2) demonstrate intentionality in building faith in Jesus Christ and testimony of His restored gospel among students and others in the BYU community; and (3) teach your subject matter with the Spirit of God and strive to keep it “bathed in the light and color of the restored gospel” (Spencer W. Kimball).
If you are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Applicants who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints include a one-page mission alignment statement that describes understanding of and commitment to the Mission of Brigham Young University and the AIMS of a BYU Education.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
All new employees who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be required to hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend.
All faculty are required to abide by the university’s Honor Code and Dress & Grooming Standards. Preference is given to qualified candidates who are members in good standing of the affiliated church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Successful candidates are expected to support and contribute to the academic and religious missions of the university within the context of the principles and doctrine of the affiliated church.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Brigham Young University is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
Job Title: Post-Doctoral Fellow - Physics and Astronomy - Laser Optics
Posting End Date: August 13, 2026
*NOTE: Last day to apply is Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 11:59pm (MT)
Position Start Date: October 1, 2026
Required Degree:
Ph.D. in Physics, or Applied Physics, or Optics.
The required degree must be completed by the start date.
Experience:
Prior physics-related research experience. Strong theoretical foundation in physics, with preference for electrodynamics and light propagation. Preferred experience with instrumentation, vacuum technology, lasers, optics.
Duties/Expectations:
- Use a laser system and other equipment to study light-matter interactions.
- Lead a project to increase the spatial and temporal contrast of the laser to enable measurement of coherence effects in nonlinear Thomson scattering or other measurements.
- Assist faculty in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students on these and other laser and optics-related projects.
- Write scientific publications and present at meetings.
Documents Required at the Time of Application: Please attach your updated curriculum vitae, cover letter, and Mission Alignment Statement (instructions below) to the faculty application.
Note: Failure to attach the required documents may result in your application not being considered.
This position requires the successful candidate to relocate and/or reside in Utah for the duration of their employment.
MISSION ALIGNMENT STATEMENT INSTRUCTIONS
If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
BYU is committed to hiring faculty members who enthusiastically embrace and energetically advance its unique mission. To this end, please include a one-page mission alignment statement as part of your application that addresses how you might, as a BYU faculty member: (1) live a life of loyalty to Jesus Christ and His restored Church and align yourself with doctrine and teachings declared by living prophets, seers, and revelators; (2) demonstrate intentionality in building faith in Jesus Christ and testimony of His restored gospel among students and others in the BYU community; and (3) teach your subject matter with the Spirit of God and strive to keep it “bathed in the light and color of the restored gospel” (Spencer W. Kimball).
If you are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Applicants who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints include a one-page mission alignment statement that describes understanding of and commitment to the Mission of Brigham Young University and the AIMS of a BYU Education.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
All new employees who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be required to hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend.
All faculty are required to abide by the university’s Honor Code and Dress & Grooming Standards. Preference is given to qualified candidates who are members in good standing of the affiliated church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Successful candidates are expected to support and contribute to the academic and religious missions of the university within the context of the principles and doctrine of the affiliated church.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Brigham Young University is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
See all 34+ J-1 Visa Post Doctoral Fellow Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Post Doctoral Fellow
Verify your DS-2019 eligibility before applying
Research Scholar sponsorship requires a relevant degree and a formal research agenda. Confirm your host institution has an active relationship with a State Department-designated sponsor before accepting any offer, or the DS-2019 cannot be issued.
Target universities with established sponsored research programs
Departments running federally funded grants through NIH, NSF, or DOE routinely host J-1 Research Scholars. Search for principal investigators advertising postdoctoral openings in disciplines matching your terminal degree to find host environments already fluent in J-1 compliance.
Find J-1-aligned postdoctoral roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter U.S. employer listings by roles that align with J-1 Research Scholar eligibility. It surfaces host institutions actively seeking postdoctoral researchers, saving you from cold-applying to departments with no existing sponsorship infrastructure.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement early
If your funding source is your home government or a U.S. government agency, the two-year home residency requirement under INA 212(e) likely applies. Raise this with the designated sponsor before signing your offer letter, since it affects any future H-1B visa or green card path.
Align your research plan with the DS-2019 training objectives
The designated sponsor issues your DS-2019 based on an approved program description. Your research plan submitted to the sponsor must map directly to your proposed activities at the host institution, or the sponsor may request revisions before issuing documents.
Track your SEVIS record throughout the postdoc term
Your J-1 status is tied to active SEVIS registration maintained by the designated sponsor. If your postdoc extends beyond the original DS-2019 end date, initiate the extension request with your responsible officer at least 30 days before expiration to avoid a status gap.
Post Doctoral Fellow J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Post Doctoral Fellows?
Most Post Doctoral Fellows enter on the J-1 Research Scholar category, which is designed for experienced researchers conducting study or research at U.S. host institutions. If your postdoc is shorter than six months and involves observation rather than independent research, the Short-Term Scholar category may apply instead. Your designated sponsor determines which category fits based on your proposed activities.
Who actually issues J-1 sponsorship for a postdoctoral position?
The hiring university or research institute is your host, not your visa sponsor. J-1 sponsorship comes from a State Department-designated organization, which may be the university itself acting as its own designated sponsor, or a third-party organization the host institution works with. That designated sponsor issues the DS-2019 form, which is required to apply for your J-1 visa stamp.
How do I find Post Doctoral Fellow roles where the host institution already has J-1 infrastructure in place?
Use Migrate Mate to search for postdoctoral openings at U.S. institutions that actively support J-1 Research Scholar placements. Many departments list positions without explicitly advertising J-1 compatibility, so focusing on research universities with strong federal grant portfolios and contacting the international office before accepting an offer helps confirm sponsor readiness.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect all J-1 Post Doctoral Fellows?
Not all, but many. The two-year home residency requirement under INA 212(e) applies when your postdoc is funded by your home government, a U.S. government agency, or if your home country designated your field as one requiring your skills. If it applies, you must return home for two years before switching to H-1B or adjusting status to permanent residence, unless you obtain a waiver.
Can a Post Doctoral Fellow on J-1 status switch to H-1B status while still in the U.S.?
Yes, if the two-year home residency requirement does not apply or has been waived. If exempt, your host institution can file an H-1B petition on your behalf. USCIS counts postdoctoral roles at nonprofit research organizations and universities as cap-exempt, meaning the H-1B cap and lottery do not apply, and the petition can be filed at any time of year.