J-1 Visa Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs
Postdoctoral Research Associate roles in the U.S. are commonly filled through the J-1 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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Get Access To All JobsCarnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent it. If you’re passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) ranks among the best in the country. Our research programs are at the forefront of the technologies that have changed the world we live in. Our interdisciplinary approach to education and research allows faculty and students across the university and beyond to collaborate on problems that have a significant impact on the world around us.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate for Ultrasound design and instrumentation. The goal of the project is to design and develop a wearable ultrasonic imager, combined with optical measurements, for monitoring uterus contractions during pregnancy to detect the early signs of fetus hypoxia and prevent the adverse effects. The postdoc researcher will be advised by Prof. Chamanzar and will work with a large interdisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and physicians to demonstrate and translate these devices to practical medical applications.
Core Responsibilities:
- Simulation and design of piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers using the finite element method (FEM)
- Conduct research experiments within the predetermined research scope and methodology of department and university
- Implementation and packaging of these transducers in a flexible wearable form factor
- Characterization of these ultrasonic imagers in artificial and real tissue
- Other duties as assigned
Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.
Qualifications
- PhD required
- Knowledge of ultrasonic waves and piezoelectrics
- FEM simulations of PZTs and acoustic wave propagation
- Ultrasonic phased array design
- CAD to design device layouts
- Packaging of ultrasonic transducers
- Benchtop characterization of ultrasonic systems and hydrophones
- A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered
Desired (not required) Skills:
- Micro/nanofabrication (lithography, etching, metal deposition, etc.)
- Printed circuit board design
- Discrete electronic circuit design (amplifiers to drive ultrasound arrays)
Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.
Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.
Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!
For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.
At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.
Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Job Function
Pre/Post-Doctoral Associates & Fellows
Position Type
Postdoctoral Associate / Fellow (Fixed Term)
Full Time/Part time
Full time
Pay Basis
Salary
More Information:
- Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
Statement of Assurance
Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent it. If you’re passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) ranks among the best in the country. Our research programs are at the forefront of the technologies that have changed the world we live in. Our interdisciplinary approach to education and research allows faculty and students across the university and beyond to collaborate on problems that have a significant impact on the world around us.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate for Ultrasound design and instrumentation. The goal of the project is to design and develop a wearable ultrasonic imager, combined with optical measurements, for monitoring uterus contractions during pregnancy to detect the early signs of fetus hypoxia and prevent the adverse effects. The postdoc researcher will be advised by Prof. Chamanzar and will work with a large interdisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and physicians to demonstrate and translate these devices to practical medical applications.
Core Responsibilities:
- Simulation and design of piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers using the finite element method (FEM)
- Conduct research experiments within the predetermined research scope and methodology of department and university
- Implementation and packaging of these transducers in a flexible wearable form factor
- Characterization of these ultrasonic imagers in artificial and real tissue
- Other duties as assigned
Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.
Qualifications
- PhD required
- Knowledge of ultrasonic waves and piezoelectrics
- FEM simulations of PZTs and acoustic wave propagation
- Ultrasonic phased array design
- CAD to design device layouts
- Packaging of ultrasonic transducers
- Benchtop characterization of ultrasonic systems and hydrophones
- A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered
Desired (not required) Skills:
- Micro/nanofabrication (lithography, etching, metal deposition, etc.)
- Printed circuit board design
- Discrete electronic circuit design (amplifiers to drive ultrasound arrays)
Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.
Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.
Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!
For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.
At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.
Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Job Function
Pre/Post-Doctoral Associates & Fellows
Position Type
Postdoctoral Associate / Fellow (Fixed Term)
Full Time/Part time
Full time
Pay Basis
Salary
More Information:
- Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
Statement of Assurance
See all 308+ Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Postdoctoral Research Associate roles.
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 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 jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Postdoctoral Research Associate JobsPostdoctoral 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.
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