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 JobsRequisition # 4697
Position Basics
Advertising Ends on: Wednesday, November 11th, 2026
Advertising Started on: Wednesday, October 21st, 2026
College: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Department: Physics & Astronomy
Salary
Salary: $65,000.00 to Commensurate
Position Details
Full/Part Time Status: Full Time
Percent Time: 100%
Position Description:
Postdoctoral Research Scientist Positions in Plasma Interactions with Mars and the Moon
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Iowa is searching for postdoctoral research scientists to analyze solar wind plasma data from MAVEN at Mars and THEMIS-ARTEMIS and Lunar Vertex at the Moon. The successful candidate will work in collaboration with Prof. Jasper Halekas and other scientists and engineers at the University of Iowa, as well as team members from other institutions. Duties will include conducting original scientific research focused on plasma interactions with Mars and the Moon, communicating results to the community through publications and talks, and preparing for future missions. The postdoctoral research scientist will join an active space physics group at the University of Iowa, with current involvement in HelioSwarm, TRACERS, Parker Solar Probe, MAVEN, THEMIS-ARTEMIS, Lunar Vertex, Juno, MMS, Voyager, and CASSIOPE e-POP, as well as sounding rockets, CubeSats, and technology development efforts. The University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, an accessible and affordable Midwest college town with diverse cultural opportunities, consistently rated one of the top ten places to live in the country.
Questions about these positions?
Please contact Prof. Jasper Halekas (jasper-halekas@uiowa.edu) with any questions about the positions.
Application Information
Applicants should submit a curriculum vita, list of publications, a brief statement of research experience and interests, and a list of three professional references through the Jobs@UIOWA website. Review of applications will begin November 6, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. The position is intended to start as soon as December 2026.
Education Requirement:
PhD in physics or related field by position start date.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Strong background in space plasma physics.
- Previous experience working with spacecraft data.
- Familiarity with IDL, Python, or comparable programming and computational tools.
Online Application Required Documents
- Curriculum Vita
- Name and Contact Information of References
- List of Publications
- Statement of Research Experience and Interests
Number of References: 3
To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.
Contact Information
Contact: Jasper S Halekas - jasper-halekas@uiowa.edu
Clas-Physics & Astronomy
Van Allen Hall
30 North Dubuque Street
414 VAN
Iowa City, IA 52242-1479
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu, to inquire or discuss accommodation needs.
Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at 319/335-5022.
Requisition # 4697
Position Basics
Advertising Ends on: Wednesday, November 11th, 2026
Advertising Started on: Wednesday, October 21st, 2026
College: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Department: Physics & Astronomy
Salary
Salary: $65,000.00 to Commensurate
Position Details
Full/Part Time Status: Full Time
Percent Time: 100%
Position Description:
Postdoctoral Research Scientist Positions in Plasma Interactions with Mars and the Moon
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Iowa is searching for postdoctoral research scientists to analyze solar wind plasma data from MAVEN at Mars and THEMIS-ARTEMIS and Lunar Vertex at the Moon. The successful candidate will work in collaboration with Prof. Jasper Halekas and other scientists and engineers at the University of Iowa, as well as team members from other institutions. Duties will include conducting original scientific research focused on plasma interactions with Mars and the Moon, communicating results to the community through publications and talks, and preparing for future missions. The postdoctoral research scientist will join an active space physics group at the University of Iowa, with current involvement in HelioSwarm, TRACERS, Parker Solar Probe, MAVEN, THEMIS-ARTEMIS, Lunar Vertex, Juno, MMS, Voyager, and CASSIOPE e-POP, as well as sounding rockets, CubeSats, and technology development efforts. The University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, an accessible and affordable Midwest college town with diverse cultural opportunities, consistently rated one of the top ten places to live in the country.
Questions about these positions?
Please contact Prof. Jasper Halekas (jasper-halekas@uiowa.edu) with any questions about the positions.
Application Information
Applicants should submit a curriculum vita, list of publications, a brief statement of research experience and interests, and a list of three professional references through the Jobs@UIOWA website. Review of applications will begin November 6, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. The position is intended to start as soon as December 2026.
Education Requirement:
PhD in physics or related field by position start date.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Strong background in space plasma physics.
- Previous experience working with spacecraft data.
- Familiarity with IDL, Python, or comparable programming and computational tools.
Online Application Required Documents
- Curriculum Vita
- Name and Contact Information of References
- List of Publications
- Statement of Research Experience and Interests
Number of References: 3
To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.
Contact Information
Contact: Jasper S Halekas - jasper-halekas@uiowa.edu
Clas-Physics & Astronomy
Van Allen Hall
30 North Dubuque Street
414 VAN
Iowa City, IA 52242-1479
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu, to inquire or discuss accommodation needs.
Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at 319/335-5022.
See all 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.