J-1 Visa Senior User Researcher Jobs
Senior User Researcher roles in the U.S. typically qualify for J-1 sponsorship under the Research Scholar or Specialist program category, administered by a State Department-designated sponsor organization. Host employers range from tech companies to academic research centers. No lottery or annual cap applies, making J-1 sponsorship accessible year-round for qualified candidates.
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INTRODUCTION
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Senior Research Associate within the Molecular Foundry division. This position will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of chemists, biophysicists, and materials scientists at the Molecular Foundry. Our team serves a broad scientific user community.
Under direct supervision, the Senior Research Associate will work with staff and users of the Biological Nanostructures and the Organic Facilities at the Molecular Foundry to advance fundamental scientific research by providing guidance in laboratory methods and instrumentation within the Facilities, assisting with experiment design and project planning, helping develop new methods, assisting with commissioning new instrumentation, and coordinating laboratory organization, safety and inventory.
We’re here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You will:
- Assist with chemical management, including checking chemical supplies and ordering when appropriate, oversee proper chemical storage, bar coding of chemicals and entry into the lab’s Chemical Management System.
- Perform regular testing of time-sensitive chemicals.
- Maintain inventory of general floor supplies, ordering and restocking as necessary.
- Under supervisor guidance, provide general overview of the Biological Nanostructures and the Organic Facilities to users including general work practices, safety awareness, and overview of waste management systems.
- With supervisor oversight, provide training of users in instrumentation such as the Akta Pure, Confocal microscope, MALDI, UPLC-MS, Dynamic Light Scattering, Circular Dichroism, and UV-vis.
- Assist with coordinating equipment preventative maintenance and repair.
- Under direct supervision, provide multifunctional technical guidance and support of user projects.
- Assist in developing recommendations for technical enhancements to existing instruments or methodologies.
- Help maintain safety documentation and training documentation.
- Assist with technical reports, policy support documentation, and training documentation.
- With supervisor guidance, share technical results to users and staff.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
We are looking for:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred in biochemistry, chemistry, or related field and/or equivalent experience.
- Two to five years laboratory experience.
- Familiarity with organic synthesis.
- Familiarity with molecular biology methods.
- Experience in preliminary analysis of experimental data.
- Excellent organization skills and self-motivation.
- Demonstrated understanding of chemical safety.
- Ability to work as part of a diverse team.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Desired skills/knowledge:
- Familiarity with NMR and X-ray structural methods.
- Familiarity with fluorescence microscopy.
- Familiarity with Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by May 20, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
- Appointment type: This is a full-time 2 year, term appointment with the possibility of extension or conversion to Career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs.
- Salary range: This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes. The expected salary for this position is $69,372 - $89,748. The final salary will depend upon the candidate’s skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.
- Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
LOCATION
Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites.
Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Senior User Researcher
Document your research portfolio before applying
Assemble a portfolio that demonstrates end-to-end research ownership: study design, participant recruitment, synthesis, and measurable product impact. Research Scholar and Specialist J-1 categories require evidence of sustained expertise, not just participation in projects.
Target host employers with existing research infrastructure
Prioritize companies and universities that already run dedicated UX research teams. Hosts without established research operations often lack the internal process to coordinate with a J-1 designated sponsor on your training plan and DS-2019 paperwork.
Search Migrate Mate to find J-1-aligned roles
Use Migrate Mate to identify Senior User Researcher openings at U.S. employers already familiar with international sponsorship pathways. Filtering by sponsorship type helps you avoid roles where the host has no prior J-1 coordination experience.
Clarify the home residency requirement early
Research Scholar and Specialist J-1 participants are sometimes subject to a two-year home-country residency requirement after their program ends. Confirm your eligibility for a waiver before accepting an offer, since this affects any future H-1B or green card timeline.
Request a training plan draft before the offer stage
The designated sponsor organization requires a detailed training plan outlining your research objectives, methods, and supervision structure. Ask the host employer to draft this document during negotiations so it doesn't delay DS-2019 issuance after you accept.
Verify prevailing wage compliance with your host
Although the J-1 visa is not employer-sponsored in the H-1B sense, your compensation must still meet program-specific wage requirements. Cross-check your offered rate against the OFLC Wage Search and O*NET data for the Senior User Researcher occupation code in your host location.
Senior User Researcher jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Senior User Researcher JobsSenior User Researcher J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Senior User Researcher role?
Most Senior User Researcher positions fall under the Research Scholar or Specialist category. Research Scholar applies if your role involves conducting original research at a university, research institute, or corporate R&D lab. Specialist applies if you are a recognized expert in user research methods being placed in a specialized role. The Intern or Trainee categories are generally not appropriate for senior-level researchers with established professional track records.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a Senior User Researcher?
The J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as IIE, Cultural Vistas, or a university's exchange program office. This sponsor issues your DS-2019 form and monitors program compliance. Your hiring company is the host organization, not the legal visa sponsor. The host coordinates with the designated sponsor but cannot issue the DS-2019 itself, which is a common point of confusion during the offer process.
How do I find U.S. employers open to J-1 host arrangements for research roles?
Many employers are open to hosting J-1 exchange visitors but don't advertise it explicitly in job postings. Migrate Mate lets you search for Senior User Researcher roles at U.S. companies already familiar with international sponsorship pathways, saving you time filtering out positions where the employer has no prior J-1 coordination experience. Reaching employers who understand the host organization role is the most efficient starting point.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect Senior User Researchers?
It can. Research Scholar and Specialist J-1 participants whose home government or a U.S. government agency funded their exchange program, or who come from a country on the State Department's Exchange Visitor Skills List, may be subject to a two-year home residency requirement after the program ends. This requirement blocks H-1B and green card applications until fulfilled or waived. Confirm your situation with the designated sponsor before accepting a host employer's offer.
What does the J-1 training plan require for a Senior User Researcher?
The designated sponsor organization requires a formal training plan, typically a DS-7002 form for Trainee categories or a comparable document for Research Scholar and Specialist placements. For a Senior User Researcher, this plan should outline the specific research methodologies you will practice, the supervision structure, measurable learning objectives, and a week-by-week schedule. Migrate Mate can help you identify host employers with experience preparing these documents, reducing delays after you receive an offer.
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