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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Susquehanna University seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scientist for a two-year position supported by a collaborative National Science Foundation grant. The successful candidate will join the P-MixSwitch project, a collaboration between Susquehanna University and the University of Arizona, investigating the physiological and genetic mechanisms that enable small marine mixoplankton to switch between photosynthetic and predatory lifestyles.
The Postdoctoral Scientist will work with investigators and research personnel at both institutions in an interdisciplinary research environment integrating microbial ecology, physiology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics. The position will involve laboratory experiments, molecular and transcriptomic analyses, bioinformatics, manuscript preparation, conference presentations, and mentoring undergraduate researchers. This position is defined as an exempt position under FLSA regulations.
Specific Responsibilities
- Collaborate with researchers at Susquehanna University and the University of Arizona.
- Spend approximately one to two months per year in Tucson, Arizona, as part of the collaborative research effort.
- Assist in conducting laboratory experiments with algal cultures.
- Perform RNA extractions and prepare samples for transcriptomic analyses.
- Analyze transcriptomic datasets using bioinformatics approaches.
- Contribute to manuscript preparation and presentation of research findings at scientific conferences.
- Assist in mentoring undergraduate researchers.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Ph.D. in Biology, Microbial Ecology, Biological Oceanography, Molecular Biology, Genomics, or a related field required.
Experience
Experience with molecular biology techniques and/or microbial culturing is required. Experience with transcriptomics, RNA sequencing, and/or bioinformatics is preferred. Experience with data analysis in R, Python, or related platforms preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Knowledge of microbial ecology, phytoplankton, or protist biology.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
- Ability to conduct research independently and collaboratively.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written and verbal formats.
- Ability to work effectively with researchers and research personnel across institutions and disciplines.
Additional Information for Applicant
Additional Requirements
NSF Research Security Training certification is required. Candidates who do not currently hold this certification must complete the training prior to the start of the position.
About the P-MixSwitch Project
Mixoplankton are ecologically important eukaryotic microorganisms that acquire energy and nutrients through both photosynthesis (phototrophy) and prey consumption (phagotrophy). This dual nutritional strategy allows mixoplankton to play a critical role in global carbon and nutrient cycling. However, the environmental and cellular factors that regulate transitions between phototrophic and phagotrophic modes remain poorly understood.
The P-MixSwitch project seeks to uncover the mechanisms underlying this metabolic flexibility by tracking carbon and phosphorus fluxes through nutrient uptake, photosynthetic carbon fixation, and phagotrophic ingestion of prey. Using physiological, molecular, and transcriptomic approaches, the project will characterize the cellular and subcellular changes associated with trophic switching in ecologically important prasinophyte mixoplankton. This work will advance understanding of the role of marine mixoplankton in carbon cycling within oligotrophic ocean ecosystems.
Research Environment
The Charvet Lab at Susquehanna University uses molecular biology and bioinformatics approaches to investigate genes and pathways involved in mixoplankton phagotrophy under varying environmental conditions. As part of the P-MixSwitch project, the Postdoctoral Scientist will participate in collaborative experimental work with the University of Arizona, followed by RNA extraction, transcriptome sequencing, and gene expression analyses of key prasinophyte strains.
This is a full-time, two-year postdoctoral appointment funded by the National Science Foundation, with an anticipated start date of January 2027. As a grant-funded position, the salary is established by the grant award and is not negotiable.
Applicants must submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references through the online application system.
Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2026. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Sophie Charvet at charvet@susqu.edu.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance. Our offerings include medical, dental, and vision insurance; retirement savings plans; flexible spending accounts; life and long-term disability insurance; and generous paid time off for holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
Job Summary
Susquehanna University seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scientist for a two-year position supported by a collaborative National Science Foundation grant. The successful candidate will join the P-MixSwitch project, a collaboration between Susquehanna University and the University of Arizona, investigating the physiological and genetic mechanisms that enable small marine mixoplankton to switch between photosynthetic and predatory lifestyles.
The Postdoctoral Scientist will work with investigators and research personnel at both institutions in an interdisciplinary research environment integrating microbial ecology, physiology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics. The position will involve laboratory experiments, molecular and transcriptomic analyses, bioinformatics, manuscript preparation, conference presentations, and mentoring undergraduate researchers. This position is defined as an exempt position under FLSA regulations.
Specific Responsibilities
- Collaborate with researchers at Susquehanna University and the University of Arizona.
- Spend approximately one to two months per year in Tucson, Arizona, as part of the collaborative research effort.
- Assist in conducting laboratory experiments with algal cultures.
- Perform RNA extractions and prepare samples for transcriptomic analyses.
- Analyze transcriptomic datasets using bioinformatics approaches.
- Contribute to manuscript preparation and presentation of research findings at scientific conferences.
- Assist in mentoring undergraduate researchers.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Ph.D. in Biology, Microbial Ecology, Biological Oceanography, Molecular Biology, Genomics, or a related field required.
Experience
Experience with molecular biology techniques and/or microbial culturing is required. Experience with transcriptomics, RNA sequencing, and/or bioinformatics is preferred. Experience with data analysis in R, Python, or related platforms preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Knowledge of microbial ecology, phytoplankton, or protist biology.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
- Ability to conduct research independently and collaboratively.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written and verbal formats.
- Ability to work effectively with researchers and research personnel across institutions and disciplines.
Additional Information for Applicant
Additional Requirements
NSF Research Security Training certification is required. Candidates who do not currently hold this certification must complete the training prior to the start of the position.
About the P-MixSwitch Project
Mixoplankton are ecologically important eukaryotic microorganisms that acquire energy and nutrients through both photosynthesis (phototrophy) and prey consumption (phagotrophy). This dual nutritional strategy allows mixoplankton to play a critical role in global carbon and nutrient cycling. However, the environmental and cellular factors that regulate transitions between phototrophic and phagotrophic modes remain poorly understood.
The P-MixSwitch project seeks to uncover the mechanisms underlying this metabolic flexibility by tracking carbon and phosphorus fluxes through nutrient uptake, photosynthetic carbon fixation, and phagotrophic ingestion of prey. Using physiological, molecular, and transcriptomic approaches, the project will characterize the cellular and subcellular changes associated with trophic switching in ecologically important prasinophyte mixoplankton. This work will advance understanding of the role of marine mixoplankton in carbon cycling within oligotrophic ocean ecosystems.
Research Environment
The Charvet Lab at Susquehanna University uses molecular biology and bioinformatics approaches to investigate genes and pathways involved in mixoplankton phagotrophy under varying environmental conditions. As part of the P-MixSwitch project, the Postdoctoral Scientist will participate in collaborative experimental work with the University of Arizona, followed by RNA extraction, transcriptome sequencing, and gene expression analyses of key prasinophyte strains.
This is a full-time, two-year postdoctoral appointment funded by the National Science Foundation, with an anticipated start date of January 2027. As a grant-funded position, the salary is established by the grant award and is not negotiable.
Applicants must submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references through the online application system.
Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2026. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Sophie Charvet at charvet@susqu.edu.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance. Our offerings include medical, dental, and vision insurance; retirement savings plans; flexible spending accounts; life and long-term disability insurance; and generous paid time off for holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
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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.