J-1 Visa Student Advisor Jobs
Student Advisor roles in the United States are typically available to exchange visitors under the J-1 visa Trainee or Specialist category, depending on your experience level and program focus. Securing J-1 sponsorship requires a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019 and a host employer willing to support your training plan.
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Get Access To All JobsAPPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
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CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Student Laboratory Assistant_Level 1 (MBIOT co-op)
Huck Institute of the Life Sciences - CSL Behring Fermentation Facility
Position Overview:
Responsibilities in this position will include being involved in bioprocessing activities including fermentation, separation process (cell lysis, centrifugation, filtration), purification of bio-based products using FPLC, and performing analytical procedures. This position is only available to the students who are currently enrolled in MBIOT program.
Job Description and Requirements:
- Primary responsibilities will be to support the CSL Behring Fermentation Facility’s day-to-day activities such as routine maintenance of the laboratory, equipment, preparing buffers as well as microbial nutrient media and stock solution, and record keeping.
- Additionally, the student co-op will be trained on equipment, processes, techniques, and fundamental principles of microbial fermentation and bioprocessing.
- Work will primarily be performed under supervision and guidance by staff in the facility.
- Training will cover the use of equipment related to fermentation, processing of microbial biomass, purification and separation techniques. Typical equipment used would include bioreactors at various scales, biomass processing equipment, and tangential flow filtration and chromatography systems as well.
- Will be required to go through Penn State Laboratory safety training via PSU-EHS if this has not been previously completed.
Preferred Skills:
- Strong laboratory experience specifically with microbial fermentation, media preparation, aseptic conditions
- Use of biosafety cabinet for microbial culturing including familiarity at various scales from shake flasks to benchtop bioreactors.
- This position requires strong organizational and communication skills in clearly presenting experimental results and providing updates
- Use of basic computer software such as Microsoft Office for analysis of data
- Ability to follow protocols and record laboratory notes and data in an organized fashion.
- Available to work in the facility during the 2027 Spring semester between 30 to 40 hours/week.
Compensation:
The starting rate for this job is $15.00/HR.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
-
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Student Laboratory Assistant_Level 1 (MBIOT co-op)
Huck Institute of the Life Sciences - CSL Behring Fermentation Facility
Position Overview:
Responsibilities in this position will include being involved in bioprocessing activities including fermentation, separation process (cell lysis, centrifugation, filtration), purification of bio-based products using FPLC, and performing analytical procedures. This position is only available to the students who are currently enrolled in MBIOT program.
Job Description and Requirements:
- Primary responsibilities will be to support the CSL Behring Fermentation Facility’s day-to-day activities such as routine maintenance of the laboratory, equipment, preparing buffers as well as microbial nutrient media and stock solution, and record keeping.
- Additionally, the student co-op will be trained on equipment, processes, techniques, and fundamental principles of microbial fermentation and bioprocessing.
- Work will primarily be performed under supervision and guidance by staff in the facility.
- Training will cover the use of equipment related to fermentation, processing of microbial biomass, purification and separation techniques. Typical equipment used would include bioreactors at various scales, biomass processing equipment, and tangential flow filtration and chromatography systems as well.
- Will be required to go through Penn State Laboratory safety training via PSU-EHS if this has not been previously completed.
Preferred Skills:
- Strong laboratory experience specifically with microbial fermentation, media preparation, aseptic conditions
- Use of biosafety cabinet for microbial culturing including familiarity at various scales from shake flasks to benchtop bioreactors.
- This position requires strong organizational and communication skills in clearly presenting experimental results and providing updates
- Use of basic computer software such as Microsoft Office for analysis of data
- Ability to follow protocols and record laboratory notes and data in an organized fashion.
- Available to work in the facility during the 2027 Spring semester between 30 to 40 hours/week.
Compensation:
The starting rate for this job is $15.00/HR.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
See all 109+ J-1 Visa Student Advisor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Student Advisor Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Student Advisor
Align your credentials with Trainee category requirements
The J-1 Trainee category requires a degree or professional certificate plus one year of related work experience, or five years of field experience. Compile transcripts, employment letters, and a training objective statement before approaching host employers.
Target universities and nonprofit education organizations
Student Advisor roles at community colleges, university advising centers, and education nonprofits are the most common host environments for J-1 Trainee placements. These institutions understand DS-2019 requirements and are accustomed to working with designated sponsors.
Search Migrate Mate to find J-1-compatible Student Advisor roles
Use Migrate Mate to filter Student Advisor openings at U.S. employers with J-1 exchange visitor experience. Matching your profile to host organizations that have hosted exchange visitors before shortens the compliance negotiation significantly.
Verify your host employer qualifies under J-1 regulations
Not every employer can serve as a J-1 host. The designated sponsor, not the employer, determines host eligibility based on training capacity and workplace conditions. Confirm this before accepting any offer, because the DS-2019 cannot be issued without sponsor approval.
Negotiate a training plan before your start date is set
The J-1 Trainee program requires a formal training plan documenting your learning objectives, supervision structure, and evaluation schedule. Your host employer and designated sponsor must both sign it, so build at least two to three weeks of lead time into your start date negotiation.
Understand the two-year home residency rule before committing
Some J-1 participants are subject to a two-year home-country residency requirement after their program ends, which restricts immediate H-1B visa or green card applications. Check whether your country, field of study, or funding source triggers this condition before signing your training agreement.
Student Advisor J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Student Advisor role?
Most Student Advisor positions fall under the J-1 Trainee category, which covers participants who hold a degree or professional certificate and at least one year of relevant experience. If your role is narrowly defined around a specialized advisory function and you have five or more years of field experience, the Specialist category may also apply. Your designated sponsor determines the appropriate category based on your background and the host employer's training plan.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a Student Advisor?
Your J-1 visa is sponsored by a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, not your host employer. Organizations like Cultural Vistas or CIEE issue the DS-2019 form that authorizes your exchange visitor status. Your host employer, the advising office or institution where you'll work, is responsible for providing the actual training environment and signing the required training plan alongside the sponsor.
How do I find Student Advisor positions open to J-1 exchange visitors?
Most general job boards don't filter by J-1 compatibility, which makes targeting difficult. Migrate Mate is built specifically to surface U.S. roles at employers with exchange visitor experience, so you can focus your applications on host organizations that already understand DS-2019 requirements and training plan obligations rather than spending time educating employers from scratch.
Can I transition from J-1 Student Advisor status to an H-1B or work visa afterward?
Possibly, but the two-year home residency requirement may apply to you first. If your home country, field, or funding source is on the State Department's exchange visitor skills list, you must return home for two years before changing to H-1B or applying for a green card. A waiver exists but requires a separate application process. Confirm whether the requirement applies to you before you begin your J-1 program, not after it ends.
What documents does a host employer need to initiate my J-1 Trainee application?
Your host employer needs to complete a Training or Internship Placement Plan, known as the DS-7002, which documents your learning objectives, supervision arrangements, and evaluation timeline. They'll also provide proof of their ability to provide meaningful training, such as an organizational overview and a designated supervisor's contact details. The designated sponsor reviews all of this before issuing the DS-2019, so gathering these materials early prevents delays in your program start date.