J-1 Visa Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs
Postdoctoral Researcher positions in the United States are typically supported under the J-1 Research Scholar or Short-Term Scholar program category, with sponsorship issued by a State Department-designated organization at your host institution. No lottery or annual cap applies, but your eligibility, program duration, and any home-country residency requirement depend on your funding source and nationality.
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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
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Postdoctoral Researcher
Verify your two-year home residency requirement early
If your postdoc is funded by your home government or a U.S. government program, you may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement. Confirm your status before accepting an offer, since it affects future visa transitions to H-1B or green card.
Align your CV to Research Scholar eligibility criteria
The J-1 Research Scholar category requires a recent or upcoming doctorate and a program tied to research, observation, or teaching. Tailor your CV to emphasize your dissertation topic, publications, and lab affiliations rather than coursework or coursework-adjacent roles.
Search employers with active J-1 host agreements on Migrate Mate
Not every research institution has a current host agreement with a State Department-designated sponsor. Use Migrate Mate to identify postdoc employers actively hiring for roles that align with J-1 sponsorship before investing time in cold outreach.
Ask hiring departments which designated sponsor they use
Universities typically partner with one or two State Department-designated sponsors to issue DS-2019 forms. Knowing which organization, such as IIE or CIEE, your host institution works with helps you understand timelines and document requirements before your start date.
Request your DS-2019 well before your program start date
Consular appointment wait times for J-1 visas vary by country and season. Your designated sponsor cannot issue the DS-2019 until your host institution confirms funding and a start date, so finalize those details as early as possible to avoid appointment delays.
Clarify funding source documentation before the DS-2019 is issued
Your designated sponsor must document adequate funding on the DS-2019. If your postdoc is funded through a mix of grants, institutional support, and external fellowships, prepare a clear breakdown so the sponsor can correctly categorize and certify your financial support.
Postdoctoral Researcher jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Postdoctoral Researcher JobsPostdoctoral Researcher J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to postdoctoral researchers?
Most postdocs enter on the J-1 Research Scholar category, which is designed for individuals with a doctorate who are conducting research, lecturing, or observing at a U.S. institution. The Short-Term Scholar category applies when the program is 180 days or fewer. The Intern or Trainee categories are not appropriate for postdoc-level research appointments.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a postdoctoral researcher?
The J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your hiring institution. Universities typically partner with a designated sponsor, such as IIE or CIEE, to issue the DS-2019 form that authorizes your exchange visitor status. Your host institution arranges the appointment and provides supporting documents, but the designated sponsor holds the legal sponsoring role.
How can I find postdoc employers that support J-1 sponsorship?
Search on Migrate Mate to identify U.S. research institutions and employers posting Postdoctoral Researcher roles that align with J-1 sponsorship. Many institutions have existing host agreements and established processes with designated sponsors, which speeds up the DS-2019 issuance once you have an offer. Targeting those employers directly reduces administrative friction.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect all J-1 postdocs?
No. The two-year home residency requirement applies only when your postdoc is funded by your home government, a U.S. government program, or your home country specifically requested your participation in the exchange. If it applies, you must return to your home country for two years before changing to most other U.S. visa categories, including H-1B. Your designated sponsor or a J visa advisor can confirm whether it applies to your specific situation.
Can a postdoctoral researcher on J-1 status change employers mid-program?
Changing host institutions on a J-1 Research Scholar visa requires issuing a new DS-2019 from a designated sponsor affiliated with the new employer. You cannot simply transfer between institutions the way an H-1B holder can file a portability petition. The new host must initiate a program change or new sponsorship application, and you may need to attend a consular interview if your visa stamp has expired.
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