J-1 Visa Research And Development Engineer Jobs
Research and Development Engineer positions in the United States are accessible to international professionals through the J-1 visa under the Research Scholar or Trainee program category, depending on your career stage. These programs require sponsorship from a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your host employer directly.
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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 84+ J-1 Visa Research And Development Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Research And Development Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Research And Development Engineer
Align your credentials to specialty occupation standards
R&D Engineer roles typically require a degree in engineering, materials science, or a related STEM field. Cross-reference your discipline against the O*NET occupation profile for Research and Development Engineers to confirm your qualifications map cleanly to the role's core requirements.
Distinguish Trainee from Research Scholar eligibility
If you hold a degree and have fewer than five years of relevant post-graduation experience, the Trainee category fits. Research Scholar applies to established professionals conducting independent research at a university or lab. Applying under the wrong category will delay your DS-2019 issuance.
Target host employers with established J-1 program infrastructure
Use Migrate Mate to search for R&D Engineer roles at U.S. companies and institutions that already host J-1 visa exchange visitors. Employers familiar with the DS-2019 process and training plan requirements move faster and rarely withdraw offers due to administrative uncertainty.
Prepare a structured Individual Development Plan early
Designated J-1 sponsors require a detailed training plan before issuing your DS-2019. For R&D roles, document specific technical objectives, lab rotations, and measurable milestones by quarter. A vague plan causes delays or outright rejection from the sponsoring organization.
Verify the host employer's SEVIS compliance history
Ask your prospective host employer whether they have hosted J-1 Trainees or Research Scholars before. Hosts unfamiliar with SEVIS reporting obligations or the 30-day activity reporting window create compliance risks that can affect your status mid-program.
Account for the two-year home residency requirement before accepting an offer
R&D Engineers sponsored under government-funded exchange programs or working in specialized knowledge fields may be subject to the two-year home country physical presence requirement. Confirm your eligibility for a waiver before signing an offer, since this restriction affects future H-1B visa or green card pathways.
Research And Development Engineer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Research and Development Engineer positions?
It depends on your career stage. The Trainee category covers degree holders with fewer than five years of post-graduation experience in engineering or a related STEM field. The Research Scholar category applies to experienced professionals conducting independent research at a U.S. university, national laboratory, or research institution. Both categories require a DS-2019 issued by a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor, not your host employer.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as an R&D Engineer?
Your J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as IIE, Cultural Vistas, or a university's international programs office. These entities issue your DS-2019 form, administer SEVIS compliance, and oversee your training plan. Your host employer, the company or lab where you actually work, is separate from the sponsoring organization and is not the legal visa sponsor.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting J-1 engineers?
Search Migrate Mate to identify R&D Engineer roles at U.S. employers that already work with J-1 exchange visitors. Prioritizing hosts with prior J-1 experience matters because they understand SEVIS reporting obligations, the training plan approval process, and the distinction between their host role and the designated sponsor's administrative role, which reduces offer withdrawals and onboarding delays.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to R&D Engineer exchange visitors?
Potentially yes. If your J-1 program is funded by your home country's government or the U.S. government, or if your skills appear on the State Department's Exchange Visitor Skills List for your country, you may be subject to the two-year home country physical presence requirement under INA Section 212(e). This requirement blocks direct H-1B or immigrant visa applications until fulfilled or waived, so confirm your status with your designated sponsor before accepting a position.
What documents should I have ready before a host employer submits my training plan to the designated sponsor?
Prepare a detailed Individual Development Plan outlining your specific technical objectives, lab assignments, and measurable milestones for each phase of your program. You'll also need academic transcripts, your current CV showing relevant engineering experience, a letter from your home institution if applying as a Research Scholar, and evidence of English proficiency. Designated sponsors review these materials before issuing your DS-2019, and incomplete submissions delay the entire process.