J-1 Visa Research Assistant Jobs
Research Assistant positions in the United States are available to exchange visitors through the J-1 visa 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 JobsINTRODUCTION
The Higher Education Design Lab invites applications for a Program Manager / Associate Research Scholar at the NYU Marron Institute starting in November 2026. The Program Manager / Associate Research Scholar position is focused on research evaluation, project management, stakeholder engagement, and communications.
ABOUT THE HIGHER EDUCATION DESIGN LAB
Launched in January 2026, the Higher Education Design Lab (HEDL) is a landmark research partnership between New York University and the State University of New York to evaluate and accelerate innovations in higher education that shape student outcomes. HEDL is a research and evaluation platform focused on measurement, evidence, and learning that is grounded in self-reflection and open inquiry, designed to inform decisions, and build towards long-term sector-wide learning. The HEDL is committed to evaluating what works – for whom, in what context, and why – and translating evidence into actionable insight for institutional leaders with the aim of strengthening student readiness for leadership in a rapidly changing world.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Program Manager / Associate Research Scholar can expect to focus on the following:
Evaluation, Research, and Data Management
- Conduct and continually refresh relevant environmental scans and literature reviews, synthesize research, and summarize learning.
- Draft, update and support implementation of evaluation frameworks for pre-evaluation activities, evaluation design and execution.
- Interface with evaluation pilots, advisors, and HEDL leadership regarding quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
- Manage and analyze large data sets in service of evaluation pilots.
Project Management and Stakeholder Engagement
- Assist with facilitating communication and coordination among HEDL leaders and interest holders including relevant faculty, institutes, and external partners. Help develop, manage, and participate in meetings, peer-to-peer learning engagements, and special convenings, both virtual and in-person.
- Develop internal and external facing project deliverables including briefs, progress reports, strategic executive memos, and presentations.
Collaboration, Communication, and Development
- Provide project planning and project management support.
- Serve as a point of contact across teams and stakeholders, supporting efficient internal and external communications.
- Support development through grant writing and creation of collateral materials.
MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years work experience in education, applied statistics, social sciences or a related field.
- Project and performance management experience overseeing complex projects.
- Experience monitoring and evaluating intervention programs, especially related to education.
- Experience managing and analyzing large datasets, and partnering to merge quantitative with qualitative findings.
- Experience using programming (e.g., R) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau) to transform complex data into navigable dashboards, research briefs, decks and reports.
- Demonstrated ability to be flexible and responsive to change and to problem solve.
- Highly organized and detail oriented while not losing sight of the big picture.
- Able to thrive in a fast-paced work environment.
- Curiosity and willingness to learn new skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced degree and/or additional experience working in related fields.
- Interest in the role higher education plays in shaping future leaders and communities.
- Familiarity with cloud-based productivity tools like Google Docs and Google Drive.
COMPENSATION
In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the compensation for this position is $80,000 - $90,000 USD. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
To apply, please submit the following:
- CV and cover letter
- Contact information for three (3) professional references
NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.
SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT
NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/sustainability
INTRODUCTION
The Higher Education Design Lab invites applications for a Program Manager / Associate Research Scholar at the NYU Marron Institute starting in November 2026. The Program Manager / Associate Research Scholar position is focused on research evaluation, project management, stakeholder engagement, and communications.
ABOUT THE HIGHER EDUCATION DESIGN LAB
Launched in January 2026, the Higher Education Design Lab (HEDL) is a landmark research partnership between New York University and the State University of New York to evaluate and accelerate innovations in higher education that shape student outcomes. HEDL is a research and evaluation platform focused on measurement, evidence, and learning that is grounded in self-reflection and open inquiry, designed to inform decisions, and build towards long-term sector-wide learning. The HEDL is committed to evaluating what works – for whom, in what context, and why – and translating evidence into actionable insight for institutional leaders with the aim of strengthening student readiness for leadership in a rapidly changing world.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Program Manager / Associate Research Scholar can expect to focus on the following:
Evaluation, Research, and Data Management
- Conduct and continually refresh relevant environmental scans and literature reviews, synthesize research, and summarize learning.
- Draft, update and support implementation of evaluation frameworks for pre-evaluation activities, evaluation design and execution.
- Interface with evaluation pilots, advisors, and HEDL leadership regarding quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
- Manage and analyze large data sets in service of evaluation pilots.
Project Management and Stakeholder Engagement
- Assist with facilitating communication and coordination among HEDL leaders and interest holders including relevant faculty, institutes, and external partners. Help develop, manage, and participate in meetings, peer-to-peer learning engagements, and special convenings, both virtual and in-person.
- Develop internal and external facing project deliverables including briefs, progress reports, strategic executive memos, and presentations.
Collaboration, Communication, and Development
- Provide project planning and project management support.
- Serve as a point of contact across teams and stakeholders, supporting efficient internal and external communications.
- Support development through grant writing and creation of collateral materials.
MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years work experience in education, applied statistics, social sciences or a related field.
- Project and performance management experience overseeing complex projects.
- Experience monitoring and evaluating intervention programs, especially related to education.
- Experience managing and analyzing large datasets, and partnering to merge quantitative with qualitative findings.
- Experience using programming (e.g., R) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau) to transform complex data into navigable dashboards, research briefs, decks and reports.
- Demonstrated ability to be flexible and responsive to change and to problem solve.
- Highly organized and detail oriented while not losing sight of the big picture.
- Able to thrive in a fast-paced work environment.
- Curiosity and willingness to learn new skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced degree and/or additional experience working in related fields.
- Interest in the role higher education plays in shaping future leaders and communities.
- Familiarity with cloud-based productivity tools like Google Docs and Google Drive.
COMPENSATION
In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the compensation for this position is $80,000 - $90,000 USD. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
To apply, please submit the following:
- CV and cover letter
- Contact information for three (3) professional references
NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.
SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT
NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/sustainability
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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 visa 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 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.