J-1 Visa Research And Development Jobs
Research and Development roles in the United States are available to international professionals through the J-1 visa under the Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, or Trainee program categories, depending on your career stage. A designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 and arranges sponsorship, while the U.S. lab or company serves as your host.
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The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kansas seeks to fill a postdoctoral researcher position in computational and theoretical condensed matter physics. The postdoc will be co-supervised by Dr. Qunfei Zhou at the University of Kansas (KU) and Dr. Kirill Belashchenko at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).
Starting Date: Spring 2026, or as soon thereafter as the position can be filled (also negotiable).
Length of Appointment: The initial appointment would be for one year with the possibility of renewal annually for three subsequent years subject to review and to continued funding availability.
GENERAL DUTIES: The successful candidate will study exotic magnetic and topological states in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials by applying and developing advanced computational and theoretical approaches. The postdoc will work within a collaborated team of experimental and computational experts from KU and UNL.
Job Description
Job Duties:
- Conduct the computational and theoretical research on magnetic and topological properties in van der Waals materials using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, tight-binding and machine learning methods.
- Provide theoretical predictions to guide experiments, and atomic-scale physical understanding to experimental observations.
- Publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals.
- Presenting work at local and national/international scientific conferences.
Specific Job Duties (percentage of time)
- 90% – computational and theoretical research. Provide theory support to experiments. Documentation, presentation and publication of research results.
- 10% – Assist the faculty in guiding the group's graduate and undergraduate students.
Required Qualifications
Evaluation of the required qualifications and preferred qualifications will be made through (1) records of accomplishments entered in CV, (2) description of research and education experience provided in the application materials, (3) references, (4) publications as appropriate, and (5) the interview process.
- A Ph.D. in physics, materials science or a related field by date of appointment.
- Research experience in density functional theory (DFT) or tight-binding modeling of materials, as demonstrated in application materials.
NOTE: To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title, it is necessary to have the PhD in hand. Appointments made without a diploma or certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an acting basis not to exceed 6 months.
This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in DFT or tight-binding modeling of materials, as evidenced in application materials.
- Previous work experience that required Python programming skills, as evidenced in application materials.
- Previous experience that required good communication skills, as evidenced in cover letter and other application materials.
Additional Candidate Instructions
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae (including publications list)
- At least two letters of recommendation
Application review begins Saturday, November 1, 2025, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.
Contact Information to Applicants
Qunfei Zhou (qunfei.zhou@ku.edu)
Advertised Salary Range
$58,656 commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Saturday November 1, 2025
Anticipated Start Date
Thursday January 1, 2026
Posting Information
- Posting ID: 31506BR
- Department: Physics and Astronomy
- Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
- Assignment: On-Site
- Reg/Temp: Regular
- Employee Class: U-Unclassified Professional Staff
- Review Begins: 01-Nov-2025
Position Overview
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kansas seeks to fill a postdoctoral researcher position in computational and theoretical condensed matter physics. The postdoc will be co-supervised by Dr. Qunfei Zhou at the University of Kansas (KU) and Dr. Kirill Belashchenko at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).
Starting Date: Spring 2026, or as soon thereafter as the position can be filled (also negotiable).
Length of Appointment: The initial appointment would be for one year with the possibility of renewal annually for three subsequent years subject to review and to continued funding availability.
GENERAL DUTIES: The successful candidate will study exotic magnetic and topological states in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials by applying and developing advanced computational and theoretical approaches. The postdoc will work within a collaborated team of experimental and computational experts from KU and UNL.
Job Description
Job Duties:
- Conduct the computational and theoretical research on magnetic and topological properties in van der Waals materials using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, tight-binding and machine learning methods.
- Provide theoretical predictions to guide experiments, and atomic-scale physical understanding to experimental observations.
- Publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals.
- Presenting work at local and national/international scientific conferences.
Specific Job Duties (percentage of time)
- 90% – computational and theoretical research. Provide theory support to experiments. Documentation, presentation and publication of research results.
- 10% – Assist the faculty in guiding the group's graduate and undergraduate students.
Required Qualifications
Evaluation of the required qualifications and preferred qualifications will be made through (1) records of accomplishments entered in CV, (2) description of research and education experience provided in the application materials, (3) references, (4) publications as appropriate, and (5) the interview process.
- A Ph.D. in physics, materials science or a related field by date of appointment.
- Research experience in density functional theory (DFT) or tight-binding modeling of materials, as demonstrated in application materials.
NOTE: To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title, it is necessary to have the PhD in hand. Appointments made without a diploma or certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an acting basis not to exceed 6 months.
This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in DFT or tight-binding modeling of materials, as evidenced in application materials.
- Previous work experience that required Python programming skills, as evidenced in application materials.
- Previous experience that required good communication skills, as evidenced in cover letter and other application materials.
Additional Candidate Instructions
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae (including publications list)
- At least two letters of recommendation
Application review begins Saturday, November 1, 2025, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.
Contact Information to Applicants
Qunfei Zhou (qunfei.zhou@ku.edu)
Advertised Salary Range
$58,656 commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Saturday November 1, 2025
Anticipated Start Date
Thursday January 1, 2026
Posting Information
- Posting ID: 31506BR
- Department: Physics and Astronomy
- Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
- Assignment: On-Site
- Reg/Temp: Regular
- Employee Class: U-Unclassified Professional Staff
- Review Begins: 01-Nov-2025
See all 83+ J-1 Visa Research And Development Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Research And Development Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Research And Development
Align your CV to specialty occupation standards
R&D positions require documented expertise in a defined scientific or technical field. Frame your CV around specific research methodologies, publications, and lab competencies so designated sponsors can map your profile to the correct J-1 visa program category.
Distinguish Research Scholar from Trainee eligibility
If you hold a graduate degree and plan independent research, you qualify for Research Scholar status. If you're applying within five years of your undergraduate degree, the Trainee category applies and requires a structured training plan signed by the host employer.
Target host employers with active federal research contracts
Universities, national laboratories, and companies holding NSF, NIH, or DOE grants routinely host J-1 researchers because the infrastructure for international collaboration is already in place. Use Migrate Mate to filter R&D roles at organizations with demonstrated sponsorship activity.
Confirm the two-year home residency requirement early
Many R&D exchange visitors funded by a government or home-country institution are subject to the two-year home residency requirement under INA 212(e). Confirm your status with your designated sponsor before accepting an offer, since it affects future H-1B visa or green card paths.
Request the DS-7002 training plan before your start date
Your host employer must complete Form DS-7002 detailing your research objectives, supervision structure, and skill benchmarks. Review it before signing. Vague training plans are the most common reason USCIS and sponsors flag a J-1 application for additional documentation.
Verify the host employer's compliance obligations post-arrival
Once you arrive, the host is responsible for maintaining your program conditions, including your designated research role. If the project scope changes significantly, the sponsor must update your DS-2019. Confirm this reporting process with your designated sponsor organization before you relocate.
Research And Development J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Research and Development professional?
It depends on your career stage. Postdoctoral researchers and scientists conducting independent research typically qualify under the Research Scholar or Short-Term Scholar category. Early-career professionals within five years of their degree who need structured on-the-job training use the Trainee category, which requires a formal DS-7002 training plan co-signed by the host employer and designated sponsor.
Who actually issues the J-1 visa for an R&D role, the employer or a sponsor organization?
The hiring employer is your host, not your visa sponsor. Your J-1 sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization such as IIE, CIEE, or Cultural Vistas, which issues your DS-2019 certificate of eligibility. The host R&D employer works with that sponsor to establish the program conditions, but the designated sponsor holds legal responsibility for your exchange visitor status.
Does the J-1 visa have an annual cap or lottery for R&D roles?
No. Unlike the H-1B, the J-1 visa has no annual numerical cap and no lottery. Designated sponsors can issue DS-2019 certificates throughout the year, so your start date is driven by the host employer's project timeline and the sponsor's processing schedule rather than a quota. This makes the J-1 particularly practical for research appointments with fixed academic or grant cycles.
How do I find R&D host employers that work with J-1 designated sponsors?
Many universities, federal contractors, and biotech firms have established relationships with designated sponsors, but they don't always advertise that openly in job listings. Migrate Mate surfaces U.S. R&D roles at employers with active international hiring activity so you can target organizations already set up to host J-1 exchange visitors rather than cold-approaching companies with no experience in the process.
Can the two-year home residency requirement block my path to an H-1B after the J-1?
Yes, if the two-year home residency requirement applies to you under INA 212(e), you must either fulfill it or obtain a waiver before changing to H-1B or most immigrant visa categories. R&D professionals funded by their home government or a U.S. government agency are most commonly subject to this requirement. Confirm your 212(e) status with your designated sponsor before accepting any host offer.