J-1 Visa Structural Engineer Jobs
Structural engineer roles in the United States are accessible to international professionals through J-1 visa sponsorship under the Trainee or Research Scholar category, depending on your career stage. Designated sponsor organizations issue your DS-2019 while a U.S. engineering firm or institution serves as your host employer.
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Job Posting Title:
Research Associate - Structural Biologist
Hiring Department:
Molecular Biosciences
Position Open To:
All Applicants
Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
FLSA Status:
Exempt from FLSA
Earliest Start Date:
Immediately
Position Duration:
Expected to Continue Until Jul 16, 2027
Location:
AUSTIN, TX
Job Details:
Purpose
Carry out research in structural biology and biochemistry of reverse transcriptase and related enzymes and their nucleic acid complexes.
Responsibilities
- Express, purify, and characterize full-length and deletion constructs of group II intron and other non-LTR retroelement reverse transcriptase and related proteins for structural analysis and biotechnological applications using Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography FPLC and other methods. Characterize wild-type and mutant proteins biochemically via enzymatic assays and determine conditions for obtaining diffraction quality crystals and/or for cryo-electron microscopy analysis of proteins and protein/nucleic acid complexes. Carry out biochemical and biophysical assays.
- Obtain structures of reverse transcriptase and related enzymes and their nucleic acid-protein complexes by X-ray diffraction and/or cryo-EM structures.
- Write manuscripts and assist in the preparation of reports, abstracts, manuscripts and proposals. Make presentations at lab meetings. Attend lab meetings and other meetings. Order chemicals and supplies specific to current project.
- Provide instruction, assistance and mentoring to graduate students.
Required Qualifications
Ph.D. in structural biology and/or biochemistry with demonstrated productivity in these areas. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Preferred Qualifications
Ph.D. in structural biology and/or biochemistry with at least three years’ experience and demonstrated research productivity on enzymes that bind nucleic acids and/or protein-nucleic acid complexes.
Salary Range
$62,000 + depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
- Personal protection equipment (furnished)
- May work around chemical fumes
- May work around standard office conditions
- May work around bio-hazards
- May work around chemicals
Required Materials
- Resume/CV
- Minimum of three letters of reference, at least two of which must be from referees outside of the University of Texas at Austin
- Letter of interest
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
- E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
- Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
- Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Structural Engineer
Align your credentials with specialty occupation standards
Get your engineering degree evaluated by a NACES-accredited credential assessment service before applying. Sponsors and host employers need to confirm your qualifications meet U.S. equivalency, and delays at this stage push back your DS-2019 issuance.
Build a training plan around PE licensure milestones
J-1 visa Trainee programs require a formal training plan. Structure yours around identifiable engineering competencies tied to PE exam preparation, since sponsors like Cultural Vistas expect measurable skill objectives that go beyond day-to-day project work.
Target firms with active structural engineering project pipelines
Use Migrate Mate to filter for U.S. employers actively hosting international engineers, then cross-reference their project portfolio. Firms with ongoing infrastructure or commercial construction work are far more likely to commit to the J-1 host employer agreement.
Confirm the 2-year home residency rule applies to your country
If your home country appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List or your program is government-funded, the two-year home residency requirement applies before you can change status to H-1B visa or L-1 visa. Verify your status with your designated sponsor before accepting any offer.
Request the host employer sign a site agreement early
Many structural engineering firms don't know they need to execute a host employer agreement with your designated sponsor. Raise this in the first conversation with HR, not after the offer letter, so compliance paperwork doesn't stall your program start date.
Check prevailing wage requirements for your work location
Although J-1 Trainees aren't subject to DOL PERM, your offer must reflect fair compensation for the role and location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up Level I or II wages for structural engineer positions in your target metro before negotiating.
Structural Engineer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a structural engineer?
It depends on your career stage. If you're currently enrolled in a degree program or recently graduated, the Intern category covers short-term, curriculum-related placements. If you've completed your degree and have at least one year of relevant work experience, the Trainee category is the right fit for gaining hands-on structural engineering experience at a U.S. host firm.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a structural engineer role?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not the engineering firm that hires you. Designated sponsors such as Cultural Vistas or AIPT issue your DS-2019 form and oversee program compliance. The engineering firm functions as your host employer and provides the work environment, but it is not your visa sponsor in the legal sense.
How do I find structural engineering firms that are open to J-1 host arrangements?
Most engineering firms don't advertise J-1 host positions because the process is unfamiliar to them. Migrate Mate lets you search for U.S. employers with a history of hosting international engineering talent, so you can focus your outreach on firms already comfortable with the documentation and training plan requirements that come with a J-1 program.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect structural engineers on J-1?
It can. If your home country is on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, which includes many countries with strong engineering workforces, or if your training is funded by your home government, you're subject to a two-year home residency requirement before switching to H-1B or applying for permanent residence. Confirm your eligibility with your designated sponsor before you commit to a program.
What does the J-1 training plan need to include for a structural engineering placement?
Your training plan, called the DS-7002 for the Trainee category, must outline specific structural engineering competencies you'll develop, the supervision structure, and a phase-by-phase schedule. Vague objectives like 'assist with design projects' won't pass sponsor review. Tie each phase to measurable skills such as load analysis methods, software proficiency in tools like ETABS or SAP2000, or code compliance under IBC or ASCE standards.