J-1 Visa Research Assistant Jobs
Research Assistant positions in the United States are available to exchange visitors through the J-1 Research Scholar or Short-Term Scholar program category, administered by a State Department-designated sponsor organization that issues your DS-2019 and manages compliance. Finding a host institution willing to coordinate J-1 sponsorship is the critical first step, and Migrate Mate surfaces employers actively open to exchange visitors.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Req Id: 41473
Job Summary
The Postdoctoral Fellow will join the Jaiswal Laboratory in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Purdue University. The lab’s research focuses on understanding how cellular metabolism regulates tissue function, skeletal muscle plasticity, neuromuscular junction integrity, immune–metabolic interactions, and organismal health during aging and metabolic disease. The fellow will conduct independent and collaborative research projects investigating molecular and metabolic mechanisms controlling muscle physiology, glucose homeostasis, and immune cell function, using advanced in vivo, ex vivo, and molecular techniques. This position provides specialized training in experimental design, metabolic phenotyping, and scientific communication, preparing the fellow for a successful career in academia or industry.
Core Competencies
Education and Experience:
- Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology, Metabolic Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, or a related field.
- Experience with animal models, skeletal muscle physiology, metabolic assays, and molecular biology techniques preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to design, execute, and troubleshoot complex experiments.
Skills:
- Strong written and oral scientific communication skills.
- Proficiency in statistical analysis, data visualization, and bioinformatics approaches.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research team.
- Familiarity with laboratory safety and institutional protocols for animal and cell research.
How to Apply
To apply, submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, statement of research, and the names and contact information of three references through the "apply" link.
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Anticipated start date is June 1, 2026.
For more information regarding the position, contact Dr. Natasha Jaiswal at jaiswa19@purdue.edu.
A background check will be required for employment in this position.
About Purdue
Purdue University is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, within easy driving distance of Indianapolis and Chicago.
Purdue University is one of the nation's leading land-grant universities, with a full range of academic majors, more than 45,000 students, and more than 10,000 employees.
FLSA Status
Exempt
Posting Start Date: 4/22/26
Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans, are encouraged to apply.
Job Title: Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Req Id: 41473
Job Summary
The Postdoctoral Fellow will join the Jaiswal Laboratory in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Purdue University. The lab’s research focuses on understanding how cellular metabolism regulates tissue function, skeletal muscle plasticity, neuromuscular junction integrity, immune–metabolic interactions, and organismal health during aging and metabolic disease. The fellow will conduct independent and collaborative research projects investigating molecular and metabolic mechanisms controlling muscle physiology, glucose homeostasis, and immune cell function, using advanced in vivo, ex vivo, and molecular techniques. This position provides specialized training in experimental design, metabolic phenotyping, and scientific communication, preparing the fellow for a successful career in academia or industry.
Core Competencies
Education and Experience:
- Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology, Metabolic Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, or a related field.
- Experience with animal models, skeletal muscle physiology, metabolic assays, and molecular biology techniques preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to design, execute, and troubleshoot complex experiments.
Skills:
- Strong written and oral scientific communication skills.
- Proficiency in statistical analysis, data visualization, and bioinformatics approaches.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research team.
- Familiarity with laboratory safety and institutional protocols for animal and cell research.
How to Apply
To apply, submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, statement of research, and the names and contact information of three references through the "apply" link.
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Anticipated start date is June 1, 2026.
For more information regarding the position, contact Dr. Natasha Jaiswal at jaiswa19@purdue.edu.
A background check will be required for employment in this position.
About Purdue
Purdue University is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, within easy driving distance of Indianapolis and Chicago.
Purdue University is one of the nation's leading land-grant universities, with a full range of academic majors, more than 45,000 students, and more than 10,000 employees.
FLSA Status
Exempt
Posting Start Date: 4/22/26
Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans, are encouraged to apply.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Research Assistant
Match your credentials to the right J-1 category
Research Assistant roles fall under the Research Scholar category if you hold a degree and are conducting independent research, or the Intern category if you're currently enrolled. Applying under the wrong category can delay or void your DS-2019 issuance.
Target host institutions with active sponsor relationships
Universities, federal labs, and research hospitals are most likely to already work with a State Department-designated sponsor organization. Ask your prospective host directly whether they have an existing relationship with a sponsor before accepting any offer.
Use Migrate Mate to find J-1-open research roles
Search Migrate Mate to filter Research Assistant positions by employers that have hosted J-1 exchange visitors before. This narrows your list to institutions where the sponsorship infrastructure is already in place, saving weeks of discovery.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement early
Research Scholar participants from certain countries or funded by their home government may face a two-year home residency requirement before changing to H-1B or green card status. Confirm whether your situation triggers this requirement before signing an offer letter.
Request the DS-2019 timeline from the sponsor organization
The designated sponsor, not your host employer, issues the DS-2019. Processing typically runs two to eight weeks depending on the sponsor organization. Ask your host to initiate the request well before your intended start date to avoid gaps.
Verify program duration limits fit your research timeline
Research Scholar J-1 status is granted for up to five years initially, with extensions possible. If your research project runs longer, confirm with the sponsor organization that an extension request can be filed before your current DS-2019 expires.
Research Assistant jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Research Assistant JobsResearch Assistant J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Research Assistant roles?
It depends on your academic status. Current degree students typically use the J-1 Intern category, which requires enrollment throughout the exchange. Degree holders conducting independent or postdoctoral research use the Research Scholar category. Short-term projects under six months may qualify under the Short-Term Scholar category. Your host institution and the designated sponsor organization will determine the correct category based on your specific situation.
Who is actually sponsoring my J-1 visa as a Research Assistant?
The visa sponsor is not your employer. It is a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, such as IIE, CIEE, or a university's own designated exchange program office. That organization issues your DS-2019, monitors your compliance, and remains your official point of contact with the State Department. Your research employer is the host, not the legal sponsor.
How do I find Research Assistant positions where the host institution is already set up for J-1 exchange visitors?
Start your search on Migrate Mate, which surfaces U.S. employers and research institutions open to hosting J-1 exchange visitors. Hosts that have previously worked with a designated sponsor organization have the institutional familiarity to move quickly once an offer is extended, which significantly reduces the time between acceptance and DS-2019 issuance.
Does a J-1 Research Scholar status affect my ability to apply for a green card later?
Potentially, yes. If the two-year home residency requirement applies to you, you must return to your home country for two years before changing to H-1B status or applying for a green card. This requirement is triggered by specific funding sources or home-country designations. USCIS and the State Department both enforce it, and it can be waived only through a formal waiver process.
Can my host employer extend my J-1 status if my research project takes longer than expected?
Your host cannot extend your status directly. Extensions must be requested through the designated sponsor organization before your current DS-2019 expires. Research Scholar status can be extended beyond the initial period, but the sponsor must approve the extension and submit updated program documentation. Plan extension requests at least 60 days before your DS-2019 end date to avoid a lapse.
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