J-1 Visa Psychology Jobs
Psychology positions in the United States are available to international professionals through the J-1 visa under the Research Scholar, Intern, or Trainee program category, depending on your career stage. Securing sponsorship requires a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019, not the hiring employer directly.
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The Teen Program Of Weight and Eating Research (Teen POWER) at the Indiana University School of Medicine is seeking qualified candidates for a research-focused Postdoctoral Psychology Fellow position. Patient-oriented treatment research funded by NIH as well as pilot studies will provide advanced clinical-research opportunities for individuals interested in academic careers working with eating/weight disorders or adolescent behavioral health. This full-time position will involve approximately 50% research and 50% clinical intervention (therapy/assessment) delivered in the context of clinical trials.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical work (50%) will involve serving as a research clinician performing assessments on an NIH-funded randomized controlled trial treating adolescents with binge eating. The postdoc will receive intensive training and ongoing supervision in the administration of diagnostic and semi-structured interviews (e.g., Eating Disorder Examination) as well as the delivery of evidence-based (CBT, IHBLT) treatments for eating/weight disorders. Additional pilot studies are planned and will involve similar activities.
Research work (50%) will involve data analysis, preparing data reports for grant progress reports and new grant applications, and submitting research papers for publications and conferences. Data from numerous completed treatment and longitudinal studies on eating/weight disorders will also be available for research projects and publications. The postdoc will also supervise/mentor research staff (e.g., postbac and graduate student research assistants) in data management activities.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D. in clinical, counseling, or school psychology; social work; public health; neuroscience, or a closely related field. Doctorate or terminal degree preferred, ABD (pending dissertation defense) will be considered for strong candidates.
- Successful completion of APA-accredited internship, if applicable
- Strong background in academic writing and scientific presentations
- Experience with clinical assessment and therapy, preferably with youth
- Prior experience conducting patient-oriented research and/or clinical trials
- Exceptional clinical, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
This position is tailor-made for loan repayment program applications and is ideal for persons pursuing academic clinical-research careers, with a focus on research (e.g., tenure-track faculty) or clinical (e.g., staff psychologist or clinical service director). Intensive mentored opportunities exist for publishing and for grant-writing.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Teen POWER is a new research clinic in the Department of Psychiatry. Our program received funding from the NIH to conduct treatment studies for adolescents with eating/weight concerns and has a 6-year track record conducting similar behavioral clinical trials. Teen POWER is best suited for individuals who are curious and patient-centered and our research environment is an ideal setting to engage with colleagues about clinical observations, data results, and their significance. Beyond having a strong work ethic and being detail-oriented, Teen POWER prioritizes highly collaborative and collegial relationships with peers and faculty, who make it a point to be highly responsive and accessible.
The Department of Psychiatry has a broad research, clinical, and teaching mission and maintains a clinical psychology internship, a psychiatry residency program, and fellowships in addition to training rotations for medical and graduate students.
Indiana University School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the United States, with a large academic health center in downtown Indianapolis, the 17th largest city in the United States. In addition to having active sports, cultural, arts, and educational events and programs, Indianapolis is located centrally near several other major cities including Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Columbus.
IU School of Medicine is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana.
IU School of Medicine is closely aligned with our health system partner, IU Health, which has twice earned a place on the US News and World Report Honor Roll. The shared vision of both institutions is to lead the transformation of healthcare through quality innovation and education to make Indiana one of the nation’s healthiest states. IU Health is among the top ten largest single-state nonprofit health systems in the United States operating 16 hospitals statewide (a mix of urban, suburban and rural facilities). This partnership enables the seamless integration of research findings into patient care.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS
Start date is September 2026 and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a CV and statement of interests (reference letters will be requested after initial review).
EXPECTED START DATE
09/01/2026
POSTING NUMBER
IUSM-02449-2026
INTRODUCTION
The Teen Program Of Weight and Eating Research (Teen POWER) at the Indiana University School of Medicine is seeking qualified candidates for a research-focused Postdoctoral Psychology Fellow position. Patient-oriented treatment research funded by NIH as well as pilot studies will provide advanced clinical-research opportunities for individuals interested in academic careers working with eating/weight disorders or adolescent behavioral health. This full-time position will involve approximately 50% research and 50% clinical intervention (therapy/assessment) delivered in the context of clinical trials.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical work (50%) will involve serving as a research clinician performing assessments on an NIH-funded randomized controlled trial treating adolescents with binge eating. The postdoc will receive intensive training and ongoing supervision in the administration of diagnostic and semi-structured interviews (e.g., Eating Disorder Examination) as well as the delivery of evidence-based (CBT, IHBLT) treatments for eating/weight disorders. Additional pilot studies are planned and will involve similar activities.
Research work (50%) will involve data analysis, preparing data reports for grant progress reports and new grant applications, and submitting research papers for publications and conferences. Data from numerous completed treatment and longitudinal studies on eating/weight disorders will also be available for research projects and publications. The postdoc will also supervise/mentor research staff (e.g., postbac and graduate student research assistants) in data management activities.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D. in clinical, counseling, or school psychology; social work; public health; neuroscience, or a closely related field. Doctorate or terminal degree preferred, ABD (pending dissertation defense) will be considered for strong candidates.
- Successful completion of APA-accredited internship, if applicable
- Strong background in academic writing and scientific presentations
- Experience with clinical assessment and therapy, preferably with youth
- Prior experience conducting patient-oriented research and/or clinical trials
- Exceptional clinical, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
This position is tailor-made for loan repayment program applications and is ideal for persons pursuing academic clinical-research careers, with a focus on research (e.g., tenure-track faculty) or clinical (e.g., staff psychologist or clinical service director). Intensive mentored opportunities exist for publishing and for grant-writing.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Teen POWER is a new research clinic in the Department of Psychiatry. Our program received funding from the NIH to conduct treatment studies for adolescents with eating/weight concerns and has a 6-year track record conducting similar behavioral clinical trials. Teen POWER is best suited for individuals who are curious and patient-centered and our research environment is an ideal setting to engage with colleagues about clinical observations, data results, and their significance. Beyond having a strong work ethic and being detail-oriented, Teen POWER prioritizes highly collaborative and collegial relationships with peers and faculty, who make it a point to be highly responsive and accessible.
The Department of Psychiatry has a broad research, clinical, and teaching mission and maintains a clinical psychology internship, a psychiatry residency program, and fellowships in addition to training rotations for medical and graduate students.
Indiana University School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the United States, with a large academic health center in downtown Indianapolis, the 17th largest city in the United States. In addition to having active sports, cultural, arts, and educational events and programs, Indianapolis is located centrally near several other major cities including Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Columbus.
IU School of Medicine is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana.
IU School of Medicine is closely aligned with our health system partner, IU Health, which has twice earned a place on the US News and World Report Honor Roll. The shared vision of both institutions is to lead the transformation of healthcare through quality innovation and education to make Indiana one of the nation’s healthiest states. IU Health is among the top ten largest single-state nonprofit health systems in the United States operating 16 hospitals statewide (a mix of urban, suburban and rural facilities). This partnership enables the seamless integration of research findings into patient care.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS
Start date is September 2026 and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a CV and statement of interests (reference letters will be requested after initial review).
EXPECTED START DATE
09/01/2026
POSTING NUMBER
IUSM-02449-2026
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Psychology
Align your credentials with specialty occupation standards
Your psychology degree must correspond to the specific role you're applying for. A clinical psychology position typically requires a doctoral-level credential, while research or assessment roles may accept a master's. Document your licensure status and any supervised hours before outreach begins.
Distinguish your J-1 category before applying
Current graduate students in psychology programs typically use the Intern category, while post-degree professionals use Trainee. Research scholars and faculty qualify under the Research Scholar or Professor category. Applying to host employers under the wrong category delays DS-2019 issuance and can void your placement.
Search for J-1-aligned psychology roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter psychology positions by employers with active J-1 visa hosting history. This saves you from cold-applying to organizations that have never hosted exchange visitors and won't know how to coordinate with a designated sponsor.
Target host organizations with established sponsor relationships
University counseling centers, research hospitals, and behavioral health institutes frequently host J-1 psychology trainees because they already work with designated sponsors like IIE or Cultural Vistas. Prioritize these settings over private practices, which rarely have existing sponsorship infrastructure.
Confirm the two-year home residency rule applies to your situation
Many psychology positions funded by government grants or tied to skills on the Exchange Visitor Skills List trigger a two-year home residency requirement after your J-1 ends. Ask your prospective host employer whether the role carries this condition before you accept an offer.
Build your training plan before the DS-2019 request
Your designated sponsor needs a detailed training plan outlining your psychology objectives, supervision structure, and evaluation schedule. Prepare this document with your host supervisor early because sponsors like Cultural Vistas and CIEE require it before issuing any DS-2019 form.
Psychology J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a psychology professional?
It depends on your career stage. Graduate students completing a practicum or internship use the Intern category. Post-degree professionals gaining structured clinical or research experience use the Trainee category. Doctoral-level researchers and faculty joining U.S. universities qualify under Research Scholar or Professor. Each category has different eligibility rules and maximum duration limits, so confirm the right fit with your designated sponsor before your host employer submits any paperwork.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa if I get a psychology job offer?
Your visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your employer. Organizations like IIE, CIEE, Cultural Vistas, and ECFMG issue the DS-2019 form that authorizes your exchange visitor status. Your employer is the host organization. They provide the position and training environment, but the designated sponsor is legally responsible for your program compliance and reporting to the State Department.
How do I find psychology employers who have hosted J-1 exchange visitors before?
Use Migrate Mate to search for psychology roles at organizations with J-1 hosting history. Employers who already understand the DS-2019 process, training plan requirements, and sponsor coordination move through placements far faster than those encountering the J-1 system for the first time. Cold-applying to employers with no exchange visitor experience often stalls or fails entirely.
Does a psychology J-1 position trigger the two-year home residency requirement?
Many do. If your psychology role is funded by a U.S. government agency, your home country's government, or if your occupation appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List maintained by the State Department, you'll be subject to the two-year home residency requirement after your J-1 ends. This means you cannot immediately change to H-1B visa, O-1 visa, or apply for a green card until you fulfill or receive a waiver of that requirement.
Can I work in a private practice or outpatient clinic on a J-1 psychology visa?
It's uncommon. Private psychology practices rarely have the administrative infrastructure to coordinate with a designated sponsor, and J-1 Trainee and Intern programs require structured supervision and a formal training plan. University counseling centers, research hospitals, behavioral health departments within academic medical centers, and government-affiliated mental health programs are far more likely to have existing sponsor relationships and the oversight capacity J-1 programs require.