J-1 Visa Software Design Engineer Jobs
Software Design Engineer roles in the United States are accessible through J-1 visa sponsorship under the Trainee or Intern program categories, depending on your career stage. Designated sponsor organizations issue your DS-2019, while the U.S. tech company or engineering firm serves as your host employer.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Department of Medicinal Chemistry is seeking one postdoctoral fellow to work in the laboratory of Professor Yan Zhang, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University. We are seeking a highly motivated synthetic organic chemist, medicinal chemist, or computational chemist to join our drug design, discovery, and development program. Dr. Zhang’s lab is conducting highly interdisciplinary research focused on pre-clinical development of novel drug candidates, where we apply chemical synthesis, medicinal chemistry, biochemical and biophysical assays, and computational chemistry interactively. The successful candidate will be involved in design, synthesis, and characterization of small molecules targeting various disease treatments development.
Unit: School Of Pharmacy MBU
Department: Medicinal Chemistry (Pharmacy)
ABOUT VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
VCU is a top 50 public research university with a genuine commitment to student success and community service. One of just a handful of universities to receive both a "Very High Research Activity" status and a "Community Engaged" designation from the Carnegie Foundation, VCU also hosts the region's top-rated medical center. The medical campus is home to top-ranked programs in Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Public Health, and Health Professions, as well as the Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care, the Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Pauley Heart Center, the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health, among many other institutes and centers.
ABOUT SCHOOL OF PHARMACY
The School of Pharmacy (SOP) has a 127-year tradition beginning with the Medical College of Virginia and continuing to the present. Ranked in the Top 20 of Schools of Pharmacy nationwide, the SOP is dedicated to graduating outstanding future scientists and pharmacists who will develop new medicines and therapies, improve human health, foster exemplary research, and provide sustaining contributions to interprofessional patient care.
Some postdoctoral scholars are eligible for a generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid time off and more. Postdoctoral scholars should clarify with their mentor if their appointment is as a postdoctoral scholar-trainee on a training grant, or a postdoctoral scholar-fellow who is an employee on a research grant. Please note: Benefits associated with postdoctoral appointments terminate when the appointment ends. Explore our benefits further.
DEPARTMENT SUMMARY
Medicinal chemistry, a multidisciplinary field integrating chemistry and the life sciences, applies chemical principles to study biologically active substances such as therapeutically useful drugs, natural products, toxins and drugs of abuse. Our department offers advanced training in drug design and discovery, emphasizing areas such as cardiovascular drugs, central nervous system agents, antimicrobial targets, natural product biosynthesis, anti-cancer agents and biomolecule structure elucidation. With state-of-the-art molecular modeling facilities, synthetic organic chemistry laboratories, X-ray crystallographic equipment and high-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, our research is supported by cutting-edge technologies and collaborations with the Center for Drug Discovery.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The candidate will be working on design, synthesis, and biological characterization of novel chemical entities as drug candidates in treating various types of diseases, including substance use disorders, cancer, multiple sclerosis, sickle cell disease, and metabolic disorders.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD degree in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, or related areas, or a combination of education and equivalent professional training.
- Experience in designing synthetic routes for novel organic compounds, solving challenging synthetic problems, and SAR analysis is required.
- Ability to apply NMR, IR, HPLC, and MS methods to solve organic chemistry inquiries.
- Experience in computational chemistry, molecular modeling, and structure-based molecular design.
- Excellent English verbal and written communication skills and experience; and ability to work independently.
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent track record of publication in the related research areas.
- Grant application experience, and a strong publication record demonstrating primary responsibility for drafting manuscripts.
SALARY RANGE
$48,000
BENEFITS
All VCU employee types are eligible for a wide array of benefits to support you during your employment at VCU. Consult the benefits website for information on benefits eligibility according to employee type.
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
ORP Eligible: Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact Name: Dr. Yan Zhang
Contact Email: yzhang2@vcu.edu
LOCATION
907 Floyd Avenue, MCV Main Campus, Virginia, United States, 23284
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Medicinal Chemistry is seeking one postdoctoral fellow to work in the laboratory of Professor Yan Zhang, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University. We are seeking a highly motivated synthetic organic chemist, medicinal chemist, or computational chemist to join our drug design, discovery, and development program. Dr. Zhang’s lab is conducting highly interdisciplinary research focused on pre-clinical development of novel drug candidates, where we apply chemical synthesis, medicinal chemistry, biochemical and biophysical assays, and computational chemistry interactively. The successful candidate will be involved in design, synthesis, and characterization of small molecules targeting various disease treatments development.
Unit: School Of Pharmacy MBU
Department: Medicinal Chemistry (Pharmacy)
ABOUT VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
VCU is a top 50 public research university with a genuine commitment to student success and community service. One of just a handful of universities to receive both a "Very High Research Activity" status and a "Community Engaged" designation from the Carnegie Foundation, VCU also hosts the region's top-rated medical center. The medical campus is home to top-ranked programs in Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Public Health, and Health Professions, as well as the Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care, the Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Pauley Heart Center, the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health, among many other institutes and centers.
ABOUT SCHOOL OF PHARMACY
The School of Pharmacy (SOP) has a 127-year tradition beginning with the Medical College of Virginia and continuing to the present. Ranked in the Top 20 of Schools of Pharmacy nationwide, the SOP is dedicated to graduating outstanding future scientists and pharmacists who will develop new medicines and therapies, improve human health, foster exemplary research, and provide sustaining contributions to interprofessional patient care.
Some postdoctoral scholars are eligible for a generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid time off and more. Postdoctoral scholars should clarify with their mentor if their appointment is as a postdoctoral scholar-trainee on a training grant, or a postdoctoral scholar-fellow who is an employee on a research grant. Please note: Benefits associated with postdoctoral appointments terminate when the appointment ends. Explore our benefits further.
DEPARTMENT SUMMARY
Medicinal chemistry, a multidisciplinary field integrating chemistry and the life sciences, applies chemical principles to study biologically active substances such as therapeutically useful drugs, natural products, toxins and drugs of abuse. Our department offers advanced training in drug design and discovery, emphasizing areas such as cardiovascular drugs, central nervous system agents, antimicrobial targets, natural product biosynthesis, anti-cancer agents and biomolecule structure elucidation. With state-of-the-art molecular modeling facilities, synthetic organic chemistry laboratories, X-ray crystallographic equipment and high-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, our research is supported by cutting-edge technologies and collaborations with the Center for Drug Discovery.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The candidate will be working on design, synthesis, and biological characterization of novel chemical entities as drug candidates in treating various types of diseases, including substance use disorders, cancer, multiple sclerosis, sickle cell disease, and metabolic disorders.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD degree in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, or related areas, or a combination of education and equivalent professional training.
- Experience in designing synthetic routes for novel organic compounds, solving challenging synthetic problems, and SAR analysis is required.
- Ability to apply NMR, IR, HPLC, and MS methods to solve organic chemistry inquiries.
- Experience in computational chemistry, molecular modeling, and structure-based molecular design.
- Excellent English verbal and written communication skills and experience; and ability to work independently.
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent track record of publication in the related research areas.
- Grant application experience, and a strong publication record demonstrating primary responsibility for drafting manuscripts.
SALARY RANGE
$48,000
BENEFITS
All VCU employee types are eligible for a wide array of benefits to support you during your employment at VCU. Consult the benefits website for information on benefits eligibility according to employee type.
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
ORP Eligible: Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact Name: Dr. Yan Zhang
Contact Email: yzhang2@vcu.edu
LOCATION
907 Floyd Avenue, MCV Main Campus, Virginia, United States, 23284
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Software Design Engineer
Match your category to your career stage
If you're currently enrolled in a degree program, the Intern category applies. If you've graduated within the past 12 months and have relevant engineering experience, the Trainee category fits. Applying under the wrong category will disqualify your DS-2019 application.
Document your technical training objectives precisely
Your designated sponsor requires a formal Training Plan that maps each phase of your software engineering work to specific learning goals. Generic job descriptions get rejected. Break down your objectives by sprint cycles, technologies, and measurable outcomes.
Target host employers with established J-1 track records
Search Migrate Mate to identify U.S. tech companies and engineering firms that have hosted J-1 visa exchange visitors before. Prior hosting experience means the employer already understands the DS-2019 process and won't back out when paperwork begins.
Verify your host employer's E-Verify enrollment early
Many designated sponsors require host companies to be enrolled in E-Verify before approving a Training Plan. Confirm E-Verify status with the hiring manager before your sponsor submits your DS-2019, not after you've accepted an offer.
Check whether your home country triggers the two-year rule
Software Design Engineers from countries with skills-shortage designations often face the two-year home residency requirement after J-1 status ends. Confirm your status with your designated sponsor before accepting a host placement, since it affects future H-1B visa or green card timelines.
Align your offered wage with OFLC Wage Search data
Your designated sponsor will review whether your host employer's offered compensation meets prevailing wage levels for software engineering roles in that metro area. Pull the OFLC Wage Search data for your specific SOC code and location before your Training Plan is submitted.
Software Design Engineer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Software Design Engineer roles?
It depends on where you are in your career. If you're currently enrolled in a university program, the Intern category applies and allows up to 12 months of practical training at a U.S. host employer. If you've completed your degree and have relevant professional experience, the Trainee category covers software engineering roles and allows up to 18 months, extendable to 24 months in some fields.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a Software Design Engineer?
A U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 form and acts as your official visa sponsor. Organizations such as IIE, Cultural Vistas, and AIPT administer J-1 programs for engineering trainees. Your U.S. tech employer or engineering firm is the host, not the sponsor. The host provides the job and the training environment, while the designated sponsor manages compliance and monitors your program.
What goes into a J-1 Training Plan for a software engineering role?
Your designated sponsor requires a detailed Training Plan, sometimes called a DS-7002, that breaks down your software engineering activities phase by phase. It must identify specific programming languages, tools, methodologies, and measurable outcomes for each period. Generic descriptions like 'assist with software development' are routinely rejected. The host employer's engineering manager typically co-signs the plan, confirming they can deliver the stated training.
How do I find U.S. employers that will host a J-1 Software Design Engineer?
Use Migrate Mate to search for U.S. companies and engineering firms that align with J-1 exchange visitor programs. Employers with prior J-1 hosting experience are significantly easier to work with because they already understand DS-2019 requirements, E-Verify enrollment, and Training Plan timelines. Approaching employers who have never hosted a J-1 visitor often stalls at the offer stage when they learn what the process involves.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect Software Design Engineers?
It can, depending on your home country and your specific J-1 program. Engineers from countries on the State Department's Exchange Visitor Skills List, or those funded by their home government, may be required to return home for two years after J-1 status ends before applying for H-1B or permanent residence. Confirm your status with your designated sponsor before accepting a host placement, since a waiver application can take 12 to 18 months to resolve.