Head of Research Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
Head of research visa sponsorship jobs in California are concentrated at biotech firms in San Diego and South San Francisco, tech companies in Silicon Valley, and research universities across the UC and CSU systems. Employers including Genentech, Qualcomm, and Stanford Research Institute regularly sponsor international researchers for senior leadership roles.
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Calico (Calico Life Sciences LLC) is an Alphabet-founded research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies and model systems to increase our understanding of the biology that controls human aging. Calico will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives. Calico’s highly innovative technology labs, its commitment to curiosity-driven discovery science, and, with academic and industry partners, its vibrant drug-development pipeline, together create an inspiring and exciting place to catalyze and enable medical breakthroughs.
Position Description
Calico is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Head of Research to lead our early discovery research group of talented Principal Investigators and their laboratory teams. This role will be critical in developing research strategies, evaluating research progress, and advancing our early stage drug discovery pipeline for improving healthspan by developing new therapeutics for aging and aging-related diseases. We seek expertise in applying cutting-edge biochemical, molecular, and cell biological techniques, including microscopic and "omics" technologies, to unlock the complexities of aging physiology. Experience in moving projects from early discovery research to translational drug development will be important. Join our collaborative, cross-functional environment at the forefront of aging research, work alongside world-class technology labs, lead ambitious research projects that transform our understanding of aging, and develop innovative therapeutics for aging and aging-related diseases.
Responsibilities
- Manage a group of Principal Investigators with ambitious research programs
- Lead an independent research effort aimed at gaining valuable insights into aging biology
- Provide scientific direction, including clinical and biological insights, for a broad range of translational projects
- Recruit top talent with aging research as a key focus
- Join Calico’s Scientific Review Committee and other leadership functions
- Contribute substantively, through leadership and research, to Calico’s ambitious research efforts to understand the fundamental biology of human aging and discover mechanisms that contribute to human longevity, as a basis for devising interventions
Position Requirements
- MD/PhD, PhD or equivalent degrees in molecular and cellular biology, immunology, neurobiology, structural biology, or related fields with 15 or more years of postdoctoral and/or industry experience in the area of drug development and/or basic biomedical research, especially in aging or aging-related diseases
- Rising or proven leader in academia or industry
- Creative and critical thinking skills
- Strong interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written
- Success in managing and mentoring other scientists and research programs
- Strong record of creative scientific achievements as evidenced by impactful publications, patents (or applications), and national or international recognition
- Technical expertise in technologies related to basic or translational biomedical research
- Must be willing to work onsite five days a week, except for conferences or off-site work-related meetings
The estimated base salary range for this role is $314,000 - $360,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses.
Who We Are
Calico (Calico Life Sciences LLC) is an Alphabet-founded research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies and model systems to increase our understanding of the biology that controls human aging. Calico will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives. Calico’s highly innovative technology labs, its commitment to curiosity-driven discovery science, and, with academic and industry partners, its vibrant drug-development pipeline, together create an inspiring and exciting place to catalyze and enable medical breakthroughs.
Position Description
Calico is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Head of Research to lead our early discovery research group of talented Principal Investigators and their laboratory teams. This role will be critical in developing research strategies, evaluating research progress, and advancing our early stage drug discovery pipeline for improving healthspan by developing new therapeutics for aging and aging-related diseases. We seek expertise in applying cutting-edge biochemical, molecular, and cell biological techniques, including microscopic and "omics" technologies, to unlock the complexities of aging physiology. Experience in moving projects from early discovery research to translational drug development will be important. Join our collaborative, cross-functional environment at the forefront of aging research, work alongside world-class technology labs, lead ambitious research projects that transform our understanding of aging, and develop innovative therapeutics for aging and aging-related diseases.
Responsibilities
- Manage a group of Principal Investigators with ambitious research programs
- Lead an independent research effort aimed at gaining valuable insights into aging biology
- Provide scientific direction, including clinical and biological insights, for a broad range of translational projects
- Recruit top talent with aging research as a key focus
- Join Calico’s Scientific Review Committee and other leadership functions
- Contribute substantively, through leadership and research, to Calico’s ambitious research efforts to understand the fundamental biology of human aging and discover mechanisms that contribute to human longevity, as a basis for devising interventions
Position Requirements
- MD/PhD, PhD or equivalent degrees in molecular and cellular biology, immunology, neurobiology, structural biology, or related fields with 15 or more years of postdoctoral and/or industry experience in the area of drug development and/or basic biomedical research, especially in aging or aging-related diseases
- Rising or proven leader in academia or industry
- Creative and critical thinking skills
- Strong interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written
- Success in managing and mentoring other scientists and research programs
- Strong record of creative scientific achievements as evidenced by impactful publications, patents (or applications), and national or international recognition
- Technical expertise in technologies related to basic or translational biomedical research
- Must be willing to work onsite five days a week, except for conferences or off-site work-related meetings
The estimated base salary range for this role is $314,000 - $360,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses.
Head of Research Job Roles in California
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Search Head of Research Jobs in CaliforniaHead of Research Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for heads of research in California?
California's leading visa sponsors for head of research roles include biotechnology companies such as Genentech, Gilead Sciences, and Illumina in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego, alongside technology firms like Google, Apple, and Qualcomm. Major research universities including UC San Diego, UCLA, and Stanford also sponsor senior research leadership positions through both employment-based and exchange visitor pathways.
Which visa types realistically fit head of research roles in California?
Head of research positions typically qualify for the H-1B visa, since the role requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related scientific or technical field, meeting the specialty occupation standard. Employer-sponsored green cards through EB-2 or EB-3 are common pathways for long-term hires. Candidates with exceptional research records may also qualify for the O-1A, which covers extraordinary ability in sciences and does not require employer sponsorship for the petition itself. J-1 visa is available through designated sponsor organizations for research scholar and professor categories.
How to find head of research visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate lists California employers with verified visa sponsorship history for head of research and senior research leadership roles, searchable by city and research sector. Because sponsorship patterns in research vary significantly by industry, from biotech in San Diego to AI labs in Silicon Valley, browsing verified employers on Migrate Mate helps you focus applications on organizations that have already demonstrated willingness to sponsor international hires at this level.
Which California cities have the most head of research sponsorship jobs?
San Francisco and the broader Bay Area, including South San Francisco and San Jose, account for the highest concentration of sponsored head of research roles, driven by biotech, pharmaceutical, and technology research operations. San Diego is a strong secondary market, particularly in genomics and life sciences. Los Angeles hosts research leadership roles across entertainment technology, aerospace, and health sciences, while Sacramento has growing opportunities tied to state research institutions.
Are there California-specific factors that affect head of research visa sponsorship?
California's dense cluster of research universities and national laboratories, including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Salk Institute, creates a pipeline of sponsored senior research positions that is difficult to match elsewhere in the country. Many California biotech and tech employers have established international hiring programs and experienced in-house immigration teams, which can shorten sponsorship timelines compared to employers in states with less international hiring volume. Competition for roles at the most active sponsors is high, and candidates with a strong publication record or patent history tend to be prioritized.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored head of research jobs in California?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.