J-1 Visa Scientist Jobs
Scientist roles in the United States are available to exchange visitors through the J-1 visa Research Scholar and Short-Term Scholar program categories, both requiring sponsorship from a U.S. Department of State-designated organization. Host institutions file training plans and issue the DS-2019 through an approved sponsor. Many research positions carry the two-year home residency requirement.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scientist to join our team investigating the gut-brain axis, intestinal inflammation and neuroinflammation in HIV/SIV infection. This role focuses on studying epigenetic changes in discrete colon enterocyte populations and characterizing the viral reservoir in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaques receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) and orally administered minor cannabinoids. This position offers the opportunity to learn and apply novel tools to study epigenetic mechanisms, utilize advanced PET/CT and MRI imaging modalities, and evaluate innovative nanodelivery vehicles for cannabinoid administration in the rhesus macaque model.
Our laboratory is pursuing several exciting research initiatives, including:
- Epigenetic Regulation of the Gut-Brain Axis: Investigating epigenetic mechanisms regulating chronic intestinal inflammation, fibrosis, dysbiosis, and subsequent neuroinflammation via the gut-brain axis during HIV/SIV infection under suppressive antiretroviral therapy.
- Targeted Phytocannabinoid Nanodelivery: Developing and evaluating novel nanodelivery approaches to deliver phytocannabinoids directly to intestinal lymphoid, mesenteric adipose, and neuro-mucosal tissues, aiming to achieve more effective suppression of both intestinal and central nervous system inflammation.
- Advanced In Vivo Neuro-Mucosal Imaging: Leveraging PET/CT and MRI modalities to visually track, quantify, and map changes in gastrointestinal and brain tissue inflammation, viral replication kinetics, and anatomical alterations across the gut-brain axis in vivo.
THE ROLE:
- Design, execute, and optimize molecular and cellular biology experiments.
- Perform and troubleshoot a broad range of laboratory techniques, including:
- Tissue and cell isolation
- DNA/RNA extraction and qPCR
- Molecular cloning
- Single-cell and single-nucleus RNA-seq/ATAC-seq
- Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting
- Luciferase reporter assays
- Multi-color flow cytometry
- Insitu hybridization and immunofluorescence
- Bioinformatic and statistical data analysis
- Analyze, interpret, and present research findings at laboratory meetings and scientific conferences.
- Contribute to manuscript preparation, grant writing, and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to advance translational neuroscience research.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate will possess:
- A PhD, MD, DVM, or equivalent doctoral degree in neuroscience, virology, immunology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, or a closely related field.
- A strong background in gastrointestinal dysfunction research, preferably focusing on microbiome dysbiosis, enteric nervous system pathology, and the gut-brain, gut-liver, and mesenteric adipose tissue axes.
- Hands-on experience with molecular and cellular biology and cell/organoid culture techniques.
- Experience with technologies such as MRI, PET/CT or related imaging modalities (data acquisition and/or analysis) is highly desirable.
- Excellent analytical, and communication (oral and written) skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to contribute innovative ideas to guide research projects are highly desirable.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
- Enjoy an employee-centered culture grounded in open communication, empowerment, and trust. We believe in working hard and having fun, offering 100+ culture events each year to bring our team together and keep the energy strong!
- Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage for you and your family—including pet insurance options.
- Competitive employer-funded retirement plan with 6% contributions starting on day one, increasing with years of service.
- Generous paid time off, including 14 paid holidays and a paid Winter Recess (from the last week of December through New Year’s).
- Paid time off for short-term illness and mental wellness, helping you take the time you need when life happens.
- Volunteer Time Off (VTO) to encourage giving back to the community.
- Paid parental leave to support you and your growing family.
- Flexible work arrangements that support a strong work-life balance.
- On-site medical clinic, wellness incentives, and prescription support programs designed to make care more accessible and affordable.
- On-site fitness center and wellness programs to help you stay active and healthy.
- Relaxed dress code so you can feel comfortable and be yourself at work.
- Dynamic learning environment with professional development opportunities, mentorship, tuition reimbursement, and leadership programs to support your growth.
- Proud recipient of the 2025 Healthy Workplace Platinum Recognition from the San Antonio Business Group on Health (SABGH)—the highest honor for employee-focused wellness initiatives.
WHO WE ARE:
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute is one of the world's leading independent biomedical research institutions dedicated to advancing global human health through innovative biomedical research. Texas Biomed aims to unravel the mysteries of infectious diseases through innovative thinking, creative problem solving and cutting-edge technologies.
- Texas Biomed is the only independent, nonprofit infectious disease research institute in the U.S. to combine:
- The highest-level biocontainment labs for infectious disease and biodefense research
- A federally-designated National Primate Research Center
- More than 80 years of discoveries advancing diagnostics, vaccines and therapies
- An entrepreneurial culture and specialized expertise in regulated science required for FDA approval
Texas Biomedical Research Institute provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.
INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scientist to join our team investigating the gut-brain axis, intestinal inflammation and neuroinflammation in HIV/SIV infection. This role focuses on studying epigenetic changes in discrete colon enterocyte populations and characterizing the viral reservoir in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaques receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) and orally administered minor cannabinoids. This position offers the opportunity to learn and apply novel tools to study epigenetic mechanisms, utilize advanced PET/CT and MRI imaging modalities, and evaluate innovative nanodelivery vehicles for cannabinoid administration in the rhesus macaque model.
Our laboratory is pursuing several exciting research initiatives, including:
- Epigenetic Regulation of the Gut-Brain Axis: Investigating epigenetic mechanisms regulating chronic intestinal inflammation, fibrosis, dysbiosis, and subsequent neuroinflammation via the gut-brain axis during HIV/SIV infection under suppressive antiretroviral therapy.
- Targeted Phytocannabinoid Nanodelivery: Developing and evaluating novel nanodelivery approaches to deliver phytocannabinoids directly to intestinal lymphoid, mesenteric adipose, and neuro-mucosal tissues, aiming to achieve more effective suppression of both intestinal and central nervous system inflammation.
- Advanced In Vivo Neuro-Mucosal Imaging: Leveraging PET/CT and MRI modalities to visually track, quantify, and map changes in gastrointestinal and brain tissue inflammation, viral replication kinetics, and anatomical alterations across the gut-brain axis in vivo.
THE ROLE:
- Design, execute, and optimize molecular and cellular biology experiments.
- Perform and troubleshoot a broad range of laboratory techniques, including:
- Tissue and cell isolation
- DNA/RNA extraction and qPCR
- Molecular cloning
- Single-cell and single-nucleus RNA-seq/ATAC-seq
- Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting
- Luciferase reporter assays
- Multi-color flow cytometry
- Insitu hybridization and immunofluorescence
- Bioinformatic and statistical data analysis
- Analyze, interpret, and present research findings at laboratory meetings and scientific conferences.
- Contribute to manuscript preparation, grant writing, and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to advance translational neuroscience research.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate will possess:
- A PhD, MD, DVM, or equivalent doctoral degree in neuroscience, virology, immunology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, or a closely related field.
- A strong background in gastrointestinal dysfunction research, preferably focusing on microbiome dysbiosis, enteric nervous system pathology, and the gut-brain, gut-liver, and mesenteric adipose tissue axes.
- Hands-on experience with molecular and cellular biology and cell/organoid culture techniques.
- Experience with technologies such as MRI, PET/CT or related imaging modalities (data acquisition and/or analysis) is highly desirable.
- Excellent analytical, and communication (oral and written) skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to contribute innovative ideas to guide research projects are highly desirable.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
- Enjoy an employee-centered culture grounded in open communication, empowerment, and trust. We believe in working hard and having fun, offering 100+ culture events each year to bring our team together and keep the energy strong!
- Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage for you and your family—including pet insurance options.
- Competitive employer-funded retirement plan with 6% contributions starting on day one, increasing with years of service.
- Generous paid time off, including 14 paid holidays and a paid Winter Recess (from the last week of December through New Year’s).
- Paid time off for short-term illness and mental wellness, helping you take the time you need when life happens.
- Volunteer Time Off (VTO) to encourage giving back to the community.
- Paid parental leave to support you and your growing family.
- Flexible work arrangements that support a strong work-life balance.
- On-site medical clinic, wellness incentives, and prescription support programs designed to make care more accessible and affordable.
- On-site fitness center and wellness programs to help you stay active and healthy.
- Relaxed dress code so you can feel comfortable and be yourself at work.
- Dynamic learning environment with professional development opportunities, mentorship, tuition reimbursement, and leadership programs to support your growth.
- Proud recipient of the 2025 Healthy Workplace Platinum Recognition from the San Antonio Business Group on Health (SABGH)—the highest honor for employee-focused wellness initiatives.
WHO WE ARE:
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute is one of the world's leading independent biomedical research institutions dedicated to advancing global human health through innovative biomedical research. Texas Biomed aims to unravel the mysteries of infectious diseases through innovative thinking, creative problem solving and cutting-edge technologies.
- Texas Biomed is the only independent, nonprofit infectious disease research institute in the U.S. to combine:
- The highest-level biocontainment labs for infectious disease and biodefense research
- A federally-designated National Primate Research Center
- More than 80 years of discoveries advancing diagnostics, vaccines and therapies
- An entrepreneurial culture and specialized expertise in regulated science required for FDA approval
Texas Biomedical Research Institute provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Scientist
Document your research credentials precisely
Designated sponsors evaluate your CV against the Research Scholar criteria, so list publications, laboratory techniques, and funded projects by name. Vague descriptions of 'research experience' frequently delay DS-2019 issuance or trigger additional sponsor review.
Identify host institutions with active sponsor relationships
Universities and federal research labs like NIH-affiliated centers already hold agreements with designated sponsors such as IIE or CIEE. Targeting those hosts cuts weeks off your timeline because the sponsor relationship is already in place before you apply.
Use Migrate Mate to find J-1-aligned Scientist roles
Search Migrate Mate to surface U.S. employer listings that align with J-1 Research Scholar and Short-Term Scholar placements, filtering by discipline so you spend time on positions where sponsorship pathways are realistic for your field.
Confirm whether your role triggers the two-year rule
Research Scientist positions funded by a government or international organization, or in a field on the State Department's skills list, commonly carry the two-year home residency requirement. Verify your specific funding source and field before accepting an offer.
Align your DS-2019 start date with IRB and lab onboarding
Host institutions often need Institutional Review Board clearance or lab access approvals before your program begins. Request a DS-2019 start date that provides at least three to four weeks of buffer beyond the sponsor's standard processing window.
Review the training plan with your host supervisor
Sponsors require a signed Training Plan or Research Objectives form before issuing the DS-2019. Walk through each learning objective with your host supervisor early so the document reflects your actual research activities, not a template description.
Scientist J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Scientist role?
Most Scientist positions fall under the Research Scholar category, which covers individuals conducting original research at accredited U.S. institutions. The Short-Term Scholar category covers visits under six months for lectures, observation, or collaborative work. Current students in a degree program may qualify under the Intern or Student Intern category instead, depending on how the host institution structures the placement.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a Scientist, the employer or a separate organization?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization such as IIE, CIEE, or a university's own designated sponsor program. That organization issues your DS-2019 form and monitors program compliance. Your hiring institution is the host, not the sponsor. The distinction matters because you must secure both a host offer and a sponsor relationship before your visa is issued.
How can I find U.S. research institutions that support J-1 Scientist placements?
Migrate Mate lets you search for Scientist and research roles at U.S. employers where J-1 sponsorship pathways are relevant, helping you focus applications on institutions that have the infrastructure to support exchange visitor placements rather than applying broadly and discovering late that a host has no sponsor relationship.
Does a Scientist on a J-1 visa face the two-year home residency requirement?
Many Research Scholar placements in science fields trigger the two-year home residency requirement under INA Section 212(e), particularly when the position is funded by a government agency or falls within a field on the State Department's Exchange Visitor Skills List. A waiver is available through channels including a no-objection statement from your home country government or a request from a U.S. federal agency, but waivers are not guaranteed and can take six to twelve months to process.
Can a Scientist on a J-1 visa change host institutions mid-program?
Yes, but a change of host requires your designated sponsor to approve and issue an amended DS-2019 reflecting the new host employer. The new placement must align with the original program objectives or the sponsor must approve a program amendment. You cannot begin work at a new host until the updated DS-2019 is in place, and some sponsors require a written justification for mid-program host changes.