J-1 Visa Research Fellow Jobs
Research Fellow positions in the United States are filled through the J-1 visa Research Scholar program category, which requires a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019 and oversee your exchange. Sponsorship comes from the host institution's affiliated sponsor, not the employer directly. Many Research Scholar placements carry a two-year home residency requirement.
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We are seeking an MD-trained Postdoctoral Research Fellow for a two-year research fellowship focused on clinical and translational research in lipodystrophy. The fellow will work within the University of Michigan Lipodystrophy Program and LD-LYNC prospective natural history study, in close collaboration with investigators from ECLIP.
The fellow has already established experience working across these collaborative datasets, including integration of LD-LYNC and ECLIP data to evaluate criteria for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in individuals with lipodystrophy. Building on this foundation, the major goal of the fellowship will be to develop reproducible workflows for harmonizing and analyzing multidimensional clinical data across LD-LYNC and ECLIP and to use these resources to address important unresolved questions in lipodystrophy.
Responsibilities
- Develop and document reproducible workflows for harmonizing LD-LYNC and ECLIP variables, definitions, and longitudinal data.
- Create common data dictionaries and analytic definitions that can be used across participating cohorts.
- Identify areas in which existing diagnostic definitions or outcome measures are insufficient and develop testable approaches to improve them.
- Perform statistical analyses of cross-sectional and longitudinal clinical data in collaboration with biostatistical and bioinformatics colleagues.
- Participate in standardized collection, processing, tracking, and annotation of research biospecimens, including DNA and serum/plasma samples.
- Assist in linking biospecimen inventories with detailed clinical phenotype and longitudinal outcome data.
- Participate in exploratory biomarker analyses, including serum proteomic studies and other available multi-omic platforms.
- Perform pathway-level interpretation of biomarker data using tools such as Reactome and related pathway-enrichment approaches.
- Evaluate whether molecular signatures distinguish clinically important lipodystrophy phenotypes, including genetically defined and clinically defined subgroups.
- Explore biomarker signatures associated with liver disease, metabolic severity, treatment response, and patient-reported outcomes.
- Lead individual scientific projects arising from the integrated datasets and biospecimen resources.
- Coordinate closely with investigators at the University of Michigan, ECLIP, and collaborating international centers.
- Participate in development and implementation of PRO collection and analysis.
- Prepare abstracts, manuscripts, and presentations arising from the collaborative work.
- Contribute to development of future multicenter studies, prospective protocols, and grant applications.
- Maintain rigorous standards for data provenance, biospecimen tracking, reproducibility, regulatory compliance, and protection of participant data.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Job Opening ID
284937
Working Title
RESEARCH FELLOW
Job Title
RESEARCH FELLOW
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Onsite
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
Medical School
Department
MM Metabolism, Endo & Diabetes
Posting Begin/End Date
10/27/2026 -
Career Interest
Research Fellows
Job Summary
We are seeking an MD-trained Postdoctoral Research Fellow for a two-year research fellowship focused on clinical and translational research in lipodystrophy. The fellow will work within the University of Michigan Lipodystrophy Program and LD-LYNC prospective natural history study, in close collaboration with investigators from ECLIP.
The fellow has already established experience working across these collaborative datasets, including integration of LD-LYNC and ECLIP data to evaluate criteria for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in individuals with lipodystrophy. Building on this foundation, the major goal of the fellowship will be to develop reproducible workflows for harmonizing and analyzing multidimensional clinical data across LD-LYNC and ECLIP and to use these resources to address important unresolved questions in lipodystrophy.
Responsibilities
- Develop and document reproducible workflows for harmonizing LD-LYNC and ECLIP variables, definitions, and longitudinal data.
- Create common data dictionaries and analytic definitions that can be used across participating cohorts.
- Identify areas in which existing diagnostic definitions or outcome measures are insufficient and develop testable approaches to improve them.
- Perform statistical analyses of cross-sectional and longitudinal clinical data in collaboration with biostatistical and bioinformatics colleagues.
- Participate in standardized collection, processing, tracking, and annotation of research biospecimens, including DNA and serum/plasma samples.
- Assist in linking biospecimen inventories with detailed clinical phenotype and longitudinal outcome data.
- Participate in exploratory biomarker analyses, including serum proteomic studies and other available multi-omic platforms.
- Perform pathway-level interpretation of biomarker data using tools such as Reactome and related pathway-enrichment approaches.
- Evaluate whether molecular signatures distinguish clinically important lipodystrophy phenotypes, including genetically defined and clinically defined subgroups.
- Explore biomarker signatures associated with liver disease, metabolic severity, treatment response, and patient-reported outcomes.
- Lead individual scientific projects arising from the integrated datasets and biospecimen resources.
- Coordinate closely with investigators at the University of Michigan, ECLIP, and collaborating international centers.
- Participate in development and implementation of PRO collection and analysis.
- Prepare abstracts, manuscripts, and presentations arising from the collaborative work.
- Contribute to development of future multicenter studies, prospective protocols, and grant applications.
- Maintain rigorous standards for data provenance, biospecimen tracking, reproducibility, regulatory compliance, and protection of participant data.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Job Opening ID
284937
Working Title
RESEARCH FELLOW
Job Title
RESEARCH FELLOW
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Onsite
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
Medical School
Department
MM Metabolism, Endo & Diabetes
Posting Begin/End Date
10/27/2026 -
Career Interest
Research Fellows
See all 57+ J-1 Visa Research Fellow Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Research Fellow Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Research Fellow
Confirm your home residency requirement early
Research Scholar placements frequently trigger the two-year home residency requirement under INA Section 212(e), particularly if your position is government-funded or in a field on the Skills List. Verify your status before accepting any offer so you can plan accordingly.
Distinguish the host from the designated sponsor
Your hiring institution is your host, not your visa sponsor. The designated sponsor, often the university's affiliated J-1 program office or an organization like IIE, issues your DS-2019 and is the entity USCIS and the State Department hold accountable for your program compliance.
Align your CV to Research Scholar eligibility criteria
The Research Scholar category requires a postgraduate-level background and a defined research project. Frame your CV around peer-reviewed publications, funded projects, and institutional affiliations rather than generalist research experience to satisfy designated sponsor screening.
Search for host institutions using Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to identify U.S. universities, research institutes, and laboratories that actively host J-1 Research Scholars. Filtering by employer type and program history saves time compared to cold-searching institution directories for J-1 receptive hosts.
Request the DS-2019 timeline before committing
Designated sponsors set their own DS-2019 processing windows, which can run four to eight weeks. Ask your host institution which sponsor they work with and confirm issuance timelines before you give notice at your current position.
Prepare a program plan that satisfies sponsor training requirements
Most designated sponsors require a detailed research plan outlining objectives, methodologies, and duration before issuing a DS-2019. Draft this document in collaboration with your faculty host or principal investigator, not after you receive an offer letter.
Research Fellow J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Research Fellow roles?
Research Fellow positions fall under the J-1 Research Scholar category. This category is designed for postdoctoral researchers, senior scientists, and experienced academics conducting research at U.S. universities or research institutions. It is distinct from the Intern and Trainee categories, which are intended for current students and early-career professionals rather than established researchers.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a Research Fellow?
Your visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, not your hiring institution. Universities frequently act as their own designated sponsors through an institutional J-1 program office, while independent research institutes may partner with an external organization like IIE. The designated sponsor issues your DS-2019 and is legally responsible for monitoring your exchange program, not your day-to-day research supervisor.
How do I find U.S. institutions that host J-1 Research Scholars?
Use Migrate Mate to search for Research Fellow openings at institutions with active J-1 hosting history. Direct outreach to faculty whose published work aligns with your research area also works well, since many Research Scholar placements are arranged through academic connections before a formal job posting exists. Targeting R1 research universities and federally funded laboratories increases your odds of finding an experienced host.
What is the two-year home residency requirement and how do I know if it applies to me?
The two-year home residency requirement under INA Section 212(e) obligates certain J-1 exchange visitors to return to their home country for two years before applying for an H-1B visa, L-1 visa, or permanent residence. It applies to Research Scholars whose positions are funded by the U.S. or home country government, or whose field appears on the State Department's Exchange Visitor Skills List. Your DS-2019 and visa stamp will indicate whether the requirement applies, and a waiver can sometimes be obtained through a no-objection statement or Interested Government Agency request.
Can I extend my J-1 Research Scholar status if my fellowship continues?
Yes, the Research Scholar category allows extensions up to a combined maximum program duration of five years, subject to your designated sponsor's approval and continued host institution support. Your sponsor must update your DS-2019 before your current authorized stay expires. Extensions require demonstrating ongoing research activity and cannot be used to change your primary research objective without sponsor review.