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 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 39+ J-1 Visa Scientist Jobs
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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.