J-1 Visa Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs
Postdoctoral Research Fellow positions in the United States are typically sponsored under the J-1 visa Research Scholar program category, with a designated sponsor organization issuing your DS-2019. Securing J-1 sponsorship requires a host institution and a compliant research plan before you can begin.
Find J-1 Visa Postdoctoral Research Fellow JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 23+ Postdoctoral Research Fellow jobs
See all Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Postdoctoral Research Fellow roles.
Get Access To All JobsAbout Drexel University
Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a comprehensive, global, R1-level research institution with a unique model of experiential learning that combines academic rigor with one of the nation's premier cooperative education programs. Drexel was founded in 1891 to provide educational opportunities for people of all backgrounds. Today, we continue to prepare graduates of diverse backgrounds to become purpose-driven professionals and agents for positive change.
Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world-class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles. Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award-winning A Healthier U wellness program. In addition, faculty and professional staff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non-certification programs. Drexel also participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions. For more information on our extensive benefit offerings, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.
Job Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research fellow to work on projects related to impactful use-inspired art therapy research in the thematic areas across the lifespan and illness conditions. Experience working with a range of datasets and with mixed-methods research is desirable. The fellow will work with Dr. Kaimal and have the opportunity for mentorship and collaboration with other faculty at the College of Nursing and Health Professions and at Drexel University. The fellow will be primarily responsible for conducting analyses and authoring publications for ongoing studies. They will have the opportunity to lead publications and develop their own research ideas. Fellows are mentored for leadership roles on interprofessional research teams. Fellows have access to faculty and college resources, are provided opportunities to publish, and are supported to conduct their own research including assistance with grant-writing or project planning for the next stage of their research careers. Hybrid work arrangements are available. This position is grant-funded; employment is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds.
Essential Functions
- Research and dissemination
- Design and conduct data analyses
- Contribute to work products as lead or co-author
- Develop stakeholder engagement and recruitment products
- Assist with supervision of graduate students and undergraduate research assistants
- Work with project manager to ensure data quality for ongoing studies
- Assist with qualitative or quantitative database management, as needed
- Assist with developing funding applications for future studies
Required Qualifications
Minimum of a PhD or Doctorate in Art Therapy
Minimum of 1-2 years of experience.
- PhD in art therapy
- 1-2 years of clinical experience as an art therapist
- Proficiency in SPSS, Dedoose and other data analytic methods
- Experience analyzing data from national and project specific datasets
- Possess excellent oral, written, analytical, organizational and interpersonal skills
- Strong ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
Physical Demands
Typically sitting at a desk/table
Location
University City - Philadelphia, PA
Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade K. Compensation for this grade ranges from $60,240 to $90,350 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position will vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review. Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel’s compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Benefits Brochure.
Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application. A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.
Advertised: Sep 15 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Oct 15 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
About Drexel University
Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a comprehensive, global, R1-level research institution with a unique model of experiential learning that combines academic rigor with one of the nation's premier cooperative education programs. Drexel was founded in 1891 to provide educational opportunities for people of all backgrounds. Today, we continue to prepare graduates of diverse backgrounds to become purpose-driven professionals and agents for positive change.
Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world-class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles. Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award-winning A Healthier U wellness program. In addition, faculty and professional staff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non-certification programs. Drexel also participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions. For more information on our extensive benefit offerings, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.
Job Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research fellow to work on projects related to impactful use-inspired art therapy research in the thematic areas across the lifespan and illness conditions. Experience working with a range of datasets and with mixed-methods research is desirable. The fellow will work with Dr. Kaimal and have the opportunity for mentorship and collaboration with other faculty at the College of Nursing and Health Professions and at Drexel University. The fellow will be primarily responsible for conducting analyses and authoring publications for ongoing studies. They will have the opportunity to lead publications and develop their own research ideas. Fellows are mentored for leadership roles on interprofessional research teams. Fellows have access to faculty and college resources, are provided opportunities to publish, and are supported to conduct their own research including assistance with grant-writing or project planning for the next stage of their research careers. Hybrid work arrangements are available. This position is grant-funded; employment is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds.
Essential Functions
- Research and dissemination
- Design and conduct data analyses
- Contribute to work products as lead or co-author
- Develop stakeholder engagement and recruitment products
- Assist with supervision of graduate students and undergraduate research assistants
- Work with project manager to ensure data quality for ongoing studies
- Assist with qualitative or quantitative database management, as needed
- Assist with developing funding applications for future studies
Required Qualifications
Minimum of a PhD or Doctorate in Art Therapy
Minimum of 1-2 years of experience.
- PhD in art therapy
- 1-2 years of clinical experience as an art therapist
- Proficiency in SPSS, Dedoose and other data analytic methods
- Experience analyzing data from national and project specific datasets
- Possess excellent oral, written, analytical, organizational and interpersonal skills
- Strong ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
Physical Demands
Typically sitting at a desk/table
Location
University City - Philadelphia, PA
Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade K. Compensation for this grade ranges from $60,240 to $90,350 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position will vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review. Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel’s compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Benefits Brochure.
Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application. A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.
Advertised: Sep 15 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Oct 15 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
See all J-1 Visa Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Verify your degree meets Research Scholar criteria
The Research Scholar category requires a postdoctoral-level appointment, so confirm your doctoral degree is conferred before the program start date. A pending dissertation can disqualify your application even if your host institution has approved the position.
Identify host institutions with active designated sponsors
Universities hosting postdocs often work with a specific designated sponsor, such as IIE or their own institutional program. Ask the hiring department which sponsor organization will issue your DS-2019 before accepting a position.
Search J-1-friendly postdoc roles on Migrate Mate
Filter Migrate Mate for Postdoctoral Research Fellow roles at institutions with J-1 Research Scholar sponsorship history. This narrows your search to employers who already understand the DS-2019 process and compliant research appointment requirements.
Check whether your field triggers the two-year rule
Research Scholars funded by a government or international organization, or from countries on the Skills List, are subject to a two-year home residency requirement under INA section 212(e). Confirm your funding source and nationality before committing to a multi-year research plan.
Submit your research plan before the DS-2019 is issued
Your designated sponsor must approve a detailed training or research plan describing your project scope, methodology, and objectives. Vague proposals delay DS-2019 issuance, so coordinate with your host institution's international office to draft a compliant plan early.
Align your program dates with SEVIS registration deadlines
Your J-1 program start date in SEVIS must fall within 30 days of your DS-2019 start date. Arriving late or deferring your start without notifying your responsible officer can trigger a status violation that affects future U.S. visa eligibility.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Postdoctoral Research Fellows?
Postdoctoral Research Fellows are placed under the J-1 Research Scholar category, which covers individuals conducting research at accredited universities, research institutions, or federal labs. This is distinct from the Short-Term Scholar category, which applies to visits under six months, and from the Intern or Trainee categories, which apply to pre- or early-career participants without a doctoral degree.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a postdoc position?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your hiring institution. The host university's international office typically partners with a designated sponsor, which could be the institution's own self-sponsored program or an external organization like IIE, to issue your DS-2019. Your employer is the host, not the legal sponsor, and cannot issue a DS-2019 on its own authority.
Can I switch host institutions while on a J-1 Research Scholar visa?
Transferring to a new host institution requires your responsible officer to amend your DS-2019 to reflect the new placement before you begin work there. If the new host uses a different designated sponsor, you'll need a program transfer in SEVIS. Starting work at a new institution before the amendment is processed constitutes an unauthorized activity violation, so coordinate with both international offices well in advance.
How do I find Postdoctoral Research Fellow positions that include J-1 sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lets you filter Postdoctoral Research Fellow roles by institutions that support J-1 Research Scholar sponsorship, so you can target positions where the host has an established DS-2019 process. Many postdoc openings list funding source and visa eligibility separately, making it easy to miss J-1-compatible roles without a purpose-built filter.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to all J-1 postdocs?
Not automatically. The two-year home residency requirement under INA section 212(e) applies if your research is funded by your home government or a U.S. government agency, or if your home country appears on the DOS Skills List for your field. Check the Exchange Visitor Skills List maintained by the State Department and confirm your funding source with your responsible officer before making long-term plans that depend on remaining in the U.S.