J-1 Visa Research Scientist Jobs
Research Scientist roles in the U.S. are accessible through J-1 visa sponsorship under the Research Scholar or Short-Term Scholar category, administered by a State Department-designated sponsor organization. Your host institution conducts the research; the sponsor issues your DS-2019 and oversees program compliance throughout your exchange.
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Get Access To All JobsDepartment: Negaunee Integrative Research Ctr
Location: Chicago, IL
Position: Postdoctoral Research Scientist
FLSA Status: Exempt
Department: Negaunee Integrative Research
Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, our organization has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.
Join our team and enjoy a benefits package that truly supports your well-being and lifestyle:
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including medical, dental, vision plans, and even pet insurance.
- Financial Security: Life and disability benefits plus a 403(b) savings plan to help you plan for the future.
- Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and paid holidays to ensure you have time to recharge and spend with loved ones.
- Exclusive Perks: Enjoy great employee discounts and complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions.
We're dedicated to enhancing your life both at work and beyond!
The Grainger Bioinformatics Center in the Science and Education Department at The Field Museum is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to conduct phylogenomic research on lichens. This is a full-time, 2-year position focused on RADseq and target enrichment datasets to investigate evolutionary relationships, phylogenetics, and species delimitation. Ongoing projects and datasets are available, enabling rapid progress toward publication.
The successful candidate will work on population genomic and phylogenetic analyses using RADseq and target enrichment data. Responsibilities include SNP data processing, population structure analyses, phylogenetic inference, and species delimitation using modern statistical and computational approaches. Analyses will be conducted primarily in R and Python.
Applicants should have a strong background in bioinformatics, computational biology, evolutionary biology, or a related field. Experience with genomic data analysis, phylogenetics, and working in Linux-based environments is required. Familiarity with population genomics tools and coalescent-based methods is preferred.
The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to manuscript preparation, with the expectation of leading at least one first-author publication and collaborating on additional research projects. The position includes mentorship responsibilities, including training undergraduate students from underrepresented groups in STEM and contributing to a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.
This position is based on-site at The Field Museum in Chicago, with an anticipated start date of June 1st. Mentorship will follow an established Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan.
Supervision Received:
Receives general supervision by Director, Phylogenomic Studies, Grainger Bioinformatics Center
Supervision Exercised:
The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.
Work Hours and Shift:
35 hours
Hybrid Eligibility:
Not eligible
Location:
1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605
Union Representation: This position is represented by Field Museum Workers’ United, AFSCME Council 31, AFL-CIO.
Pay Range: $61,461/Annually
PLEASE READ: When you apply for multiple positions, please make sure to delete your previous resume and cover letter and upload the latest version of your resume and cover letter that is relevant to the job you are applying for, every time you apply. This will help our hiring managers access the correct documents. Please note that removing the resume and cover letter will not delete any previously submitted resumes and cover letters.
The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges.
At the Field Museum, we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at recruitment@fieldmuseum.org.
Department: Negaunee Integrative Research Ctr
Location: Chicago, IL
Position: Postdoctoral Research Scientist
FLSA Status: Exempt
Department: Negaunee Integrative Research
Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, our organization has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.
Join our team and enjoy a benefits package that truly supports your well-being and lifestyle:
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including medical, dental, vision plans, and even pet insurance.
- Financial Security: Life and disability benefits plus a 403(b) savings plan to help you plan for the future.
- Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and paid holidays to ensure you have time to recharge and spend with loved ones.
- Exclusive Perks: Enjoy great employee discounts and complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions.
We're dedicated to enhancing your life both at work and beyond!
The Grainger Bioinformatics Center in the Science and Education Department at The Field Museum is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to conduct phylogenomic research on lichens. This is a full-time, 2-year position focused on RADseq and target enrichment datasets to investigate evolutionary relationships, phylogenetics, and species delimitation. Ongoing projects and datasets are available, enabling rapid progress toward publication.
The successful candidate will work on population genomic and phylogenetic analyses using RADseq and target enrichment data. Responsibilities include SNP data processing, population structure analyses, phylogenetic inference, and species delimitation using modern statistical and computational approaches. Analyses will be conducted primarily in R and Python.
Applicants should have a strong background in bioinformatics, computational biology, evolutionary biology, or a related field. Experience with genomic data analysis, phylogenetics, and working in Linux-based environments is required. Familiarity with population genomics tools and coalescent-based methods is preferred.
The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to manuscript preparation, with the expectation of leading at least one first-author publication and collaborating on additional research projects. The position includes mentorship responsibilities, including training undergraduate students from underrepresented groups in STEM and contributing to a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.
This position is based on-site at The Field Museum in Chicago, with an anticipated start date of June 1st. Mentorship will follow an established Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan.
Supervision Received:
Receives general supervision by Director, Phylogenomic Studies, Grainger Bioinformatics Center
Supervision Exercised:
The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.
Work Hours and Shift:
35 hours
Hybrid Eligibility:
Not eligible
Location:
1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605
Union Representation: This position is represented by Field Museum Workers’ United, AFSCME Council 31, AFL-CIO.
Pay Range: $61,461/Annually
PLEASE READ: When you apply for multiple positions, please make sure to delete your previous resume and cover letter and upload the latest version of your resume and cover letter that is relevant to the job you are applying for, every time you apply. This will help our hiring managers access the correct documents. Please note that removing the resume and cover letter will not delete any previously submitted resumes and cover letters.
The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges.
At the Field Museum, we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at recruitment@fieldmuseum.org.
See all 33+ J-1 Visa Research Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Research Scientist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Research Scientist
Translate your research credentials into U.S. formats
Consular officers and sponsor organizations evaluate your CV against U.S. academic norms. Convert your publication record to APA or ACS citation style, list grants by funding body and dollar amount, and clarify foreign degree equivalencies before submitting any application.
Identify host institutions with active designated sponsors
Universities, national laboratories, and private research institutes that host J-1 visa Research Scholars already have an established relationship with a State Department-designated sponsor. Target employers whose affiliated sponsor can issue a DS-2019 in your scientific discipline without requiring a new institutional agreement.
Search J-1-aligned research roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter Research Scientist openings at U.S. institutions with J-1 sponsorship history. Targeting employers already familiar with the Research Scholar category shortens your negotiation on visa logistics and reduces the risk of a host declining to engage.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement early
Research Scholar status often triggers the two-year home-country physical presence requirement under INA Section 212(e), particularly if your field appears on the State Department's Skills List or your funding is government-sourced. Confirm your obligation before accepting any offer, since it affects future H-1B visa or green card eligibility.
Align your DS-2019 start date with your research timeline
Your designated sponsor issues the DS-2019 only after the host institution submits a finalized training or research plan. Negotiate your actual start date with the host first, then allow 30 to 60 days for sponsor processing before your consular appointment to avoid a mismatch that delays entry.
Confirm prevailing wage compliance before signing an offer
Although J-1 Research Scholar positions don't require a Labor Condition Application, your stipend or salary must meet the host institution's own pay scales for equivalent researchers. Cross-check the offered compensation against Bureau of Labor Statistics data for research scientists in that metro area to verify your offer is competitive and defensible.
Research Scientist J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Research Scientist positions?
Most Research Scientist roles fall under the J-1 Research Scholar category, which covers scientists, scholars, and researchers at universities, research institutes, and government laboratories. If you hold a postdoctoral or visiting researcher appointment, Research Scholar is the correct category. The Short-Term Scholar category covers research visits of six months or less. The Intern or Trainee categories are not appropriate for independent research roles.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a Research Scientist?
Your J-1 visa sponsor is not your employer. It is a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, such as a university's international office, IIE, or CIEE, that issues your DS-2019 form and monitors your program compliance. Your host institution (the lab or university department where you work) is the placement site, not the legal sponsor. Both parties must agree to the arrangement before your DS-2019 is issued.
How do I find U.S. research institutions that support J-1 sponsorship?
Search Migrate Mate to identify Research Scientist openings at U.S. employers with J-1 sponsorship alignment. Institutions with established designated sponsor relationships can process your DS-2019 faster and are less likely to withdraw an offer over visa logistics. Targeting these employers from the start reduces delays caused by hosts unfamiliar with the Research Scholar category requirements.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect Research Scientist positions?
It frequently does. J-1 Research Scholars funded by their home government, employed in a field on the State Department's Exchange Visitor Skills List, or supported by U.S. government funding are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement under INA Section 212(e). This bars you from applying for an H-1B visa or certain immigrant visas until the requirement is fulfilled or waived. Confirm your status with your designated sponsor before accepting an offer.
Can a J-1 Research Scientist change host institutions after arrival?
Yes, but it requires action from both your designated sponsor and your new host before you transfer. Your current sponsor must issue an amended or new DS-2019 reflecting the new host institution, and the new host must agree to the program terms. You cannot simply move to a new lab without sponsor notification, as doing so places you out of status. Initiate the transfer process at least 30 days before your planned move.