J-1 Visa Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs
Postdoctoral Research Associate roles in the U.S. are commonly filled through the J-1 visa Research Scholar program category, which requires a designated State Department sponsor to issue your DS-2019. Many universities and research institutes host postdocs under this category. Finding a host with an active sponsorship pathway is the critical first step.
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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 406+ J-1 Visa Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Postdoctoral Research Associate
Verify your DS-2019 eligibility before applying
The J-1 Research Scholar category requires a postdoctoral appointment tied to active research, not coursework or training. Confirm your offer letter explicitly describes original investigation, because sponsors will reject training-plan submissions that read as extended lab rotations.
Check whether your home country triggers the two-year rule
Many postdocs funded by their home government or on a government-sponsored exchange face the two-year home residency requirement. Review your J-1 DS-2019 before accepting an offer, because this requirement blocks H-1B visa and green card transitions until fulfilled or waived.
Target institutions with standing sponsor agreements already in place
Use Migrate Mate to find Postdoctoral Research Associate roles at host institutions that already work with designated J-1 sponsors. Universities and national labs with active Research Scholar programs avoid the delay of sponsors vetting a host for the first time.
Align your research plan with your sponsor's program objectives
Your designated sponsor, whether IIE, CIEE, or a university's own sponsorship office, must approve a program plan before issuing the DS-2019. Draft a concise research objective statement that matches the sponsor's stated academic exchange mission, not just your PI's project description.
Negotiate visa timeline into your start-date conversation
DS-2019 issuance and consular visa scheduling can add six to ten weeks after your offer is accepted. Raise this timeline with your future PI during negotiation so your official start date reflects realistic processing, not the date your offer letter is signed.
Clarify publication and IP rights before your DS-2019 is issued
J-1 Research Scholars retain rights to scholarly publications but institutional IP agreements can conflict. Review your host's IP policy alongside the DS-2019 program obligations before the sponsor submits paperwork, because renegotiating mid-program can jeopardize your status.
Postdoctoral Research Associate J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Postdoctoral Research Associates?
The Research Scholar category is the standard J-1 classification for postdoctoral positions. It applies to individuals conducting original research at universities, national laboratories, or research institutes. The Intern or Trainee categories do not fit a postdoc role because those categories are designed for skill acquisition, not independent scholarly research tied to an advanced degree.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a postdoctoral researcher?
Your visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your employing institution. Common designated sponsors for postdocs include universities that hold their own sponsorship designation and organizations like IIE. Your host institution is where you work, but the designated sponsor issues your DS-2019, monitors compliance, and is legally responsible to the State Department throughout your exchange program.
How do I find Postdoctoral Research Associate positions where J-1 sponsorship is already part of the hiring process?
Many postdoc openings assume applicants will secure their own visa, which creates confusion when J-1 sponsorship depends on the host's sponsor relationship. Migrate Mate lets you filter for roles and institutions already aligned with J-1 sponsorship pathways, so you can target hosts that have active designated sponsor agreements rather than discovering the gap after an offer.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect postdoctoral researchers specifically?
Yes, postdocs are among the groups most commonly subject to it. The requirement applies if your J-1 program was funded by your home government, if your home country appears on the State Department's skills list, or if your DS-2019 was issued under a U.S. government grant. It blocks H-1B petitions and adjustment of status until you satisfy or waive the requirement, which matters if your postdoc is a bridge to a permanent academic or industry position.
Can I switch employers or move to a different institution while on a J-1 Research Scholar visa?
A change of host institution requires your designated sponsor to amend your DS-2019 or transfer your sponsorship to a new sponsor associated with the new host. You cannot simply accept a new postdoc offer and report to a different lab. The sponsor must approve the change before you begin work at the new institution, and some sponsors require re-vetting the new host's program plan before issuing an amended form.