Research Officer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
Research officer visa sponsorship jobs in California are concentrated at major universities, national laboratories, and biotech employers across the Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Institutions like UC San Francisco, Stanford, UCLA, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and companies such as Genentech and Illumina regularly sponsor international researchers through H-1B visa and employment-based green card pathways.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Be a part of a global team that is inspired to make a difference in the lives of people living with rare disease.
At Travere Therapeutics, we recognize that our exceptional employees are vital to our success. We are a dedicated team focused on meeting the unique needs of rare patients. Our work is rewarding – both professionally and personally – because we are making a difference. We are passionate about what we do.
We are seeking talented individuals who will thrive in our collaborative, diverse, fast-paced environment and share in our mission – to identify, develop and deliver life-changing therapies to people living with rare disease. We stick by our values centered on patients, courage, community, and collaboration to pursue our vision of becoming a leading biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the delivery of innovation and hope to patients in the global rare disease community.
At Travere Therapeutics, we are in rare for life. We continue to courageously forge new paths as we move toward a common goal of elevating science and service for rare patients.
Position Summary:
The Chief Research Officer (CRO) reports to the EVP, Head of Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer and provides enterprise leadership for Research, Clinical Operations and Clinical Supplies, Clinical Pharmacology, and Biometrics. Through the leaders of these functions, the CRO connects early scientific work with rigorous clinical execution and high-quality evidence generation across Travere’s rare disease portfolio.
The CRO helps shape the long-term research agenda and pipeline strategy, assesses external innovation, and makes recommendations on scientific opportunity, development feasibility, investment, and risk. The role builds strong functional leaders and an effective organization while working closely with Clinical Development and Safety, Regulatory and Quality, Medical Affairs, Business Development, Program Management, Commercial, and Technical Operations. The CRO is accountable for the performance and budgets of the functions in the role’s remit and for their contribution to enterprise priorities.
Responsibilities:
Enterprise, Portfolio, and Organizational Leadership
- Serve as strategic advisor to the EVP, Head of R&D and CMO, CEO, and Board on research direction, development execution, evidence generation, portfolio choices, and organizational capabilities.
- Integrate scientific, clinical pharmacology, statistical, and operational perspectives into portfolio prioritization, investment decisions, development plans, lifecycle opportunities, and business development assessments.
- Lead scientific and translational due diligence for licensing, acquisitions, research collaborations, targets, and platform opportunities in partnership with Business Development, Clinical Development, and Technical Operations.
- Identify emerging science, technology, and academic collaboration opportunities that can strengthen Travere’s rare kidney and metabolic disease pipeline; translate selected opportunities into research and development plans.
- Develop leaders, succession plans, capabilities, resource plans, and budgets across the assigned functions; ensure clear decision rights, timely escalation, and disciplined execution across programs.
Research and Translational Science
- Provide strategic direction to the Head of Research for discovery biology, genetics, target selection and validation, translational biology, nonclinical development, biomarkers and assays, and external scientific collaborations.
- Set research priorities and decision criteria that connect disease understanding and preclinical evidence to clinically meaningful hypotheses and future development opportunities.
- Guide the transition from research to clinical development, including nonclinical evidence, biomarker strategy, pharmacology, and readiness for first-in-human evaluation, in partnership with Clinical Development and Regulatory.
- Build an external scientific network of investigators, academic institutions, disease experts, and partners; support the scientific assessment of new therapeutic approaches and technologies.
Clinical Operations and Clinical Supplies
- Provide executive oversight of global clinical trial planning and delivery through Clinical Operations leadership, from early studies through registrational and post-approval studies.
- Ensure sound operational plans for country and site selection, feasibility, enrollment, study start-up, monitoring, vendor and CRO oversight, clinical supplies, timelines, budgets, and trial closeout.
- Hold the organization accountable for trial quality, participant experience, data integrity, inspection readiness, and compliance with applicable GCP requirements and company procedures.
- Anticipate execution risks and resolve cross-functional tradeoffs with Clinical Development, Safety, Regulatory, Quality, Technical Operations, and Program Management; maintain clear ownership of trial delivery and supply handoffs.
Clinical Pharmacology
- Lead the clinical pharmacology strategy across programs, including PK/PD, exposure-response, dose and regimen selection, pharmacometrics, drug interactions, human ADME, and pediatric extrapolation where relevant.
- Connect nonclinical DMPK and translational findings to clinical study design, quantitative decision-making, and regulatory submissions in partnership with Research, Clinical Development, Biometrics, Regulatory, and Technical Operations.
- Ensure robust analysis, interpretation, and communication of pharmacology data for protocols, study reports, health authority interactions, submissions, labeling, and lifecycle development.
Biometrics and Evidence Generation
- Provide leadership for biostatistics, statistical programming, and data management, preserving the functional rigor and independent statistical judgment needed for credible evidence.
- Ensure statistical input into study design, endpoints, estimands, analysis plans, interim analyses, data standards, database lock, reporting, and integrated submission datasets.
- Align Biometrics with Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Clinical Pharmacology, Regulatory, Medical Affairs, and Program Management on data quality, interpretation, decision milestones, and evidence needs across the product lifecycle.
Board and External Engagement
- Lead the development of the R&D content and discussion plan for the Board’s Science & Technology Committee meetings, in partnership with the EVP, Head of R&D and CMO, committee leadership, and relevant functional and program leaders. Integrate program progress, research strategy, scientific opportunities, clinical execution risks, and decisions requiring Board input.
- Present research and development priorities, progress, risks, and recommendations to the Executive Team and Board; ensure materials are clear, balanced, and grounded in evidence.
- Represent Travere with scientific and academic collaborators, key opinion leaders, patient communities, and strategic partners. Support investor or analyst discussions on R&D matters when requested, in coordination with the EVP, Head of R&D and CMO and Investor Relations.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Advanced degree in a relevant scientific, medical, or quantitative discipline, such as a PhD, MD, PharmD, or equivalent experience required.
- 17+ years of progressive biotechnology or pharmaceutical leadership experience, including significant rare disease experience is required.
- Substantial leadership experience in biotechnology or pharmaceuticals, including oversight of multiple research and development functions and demonstrated enterprise judgment.
ADDITIONAL SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:
- The ideal candidate will embody Travere’s core values: Courage, Community Spirit, Patient Focus and Teamwork.
- Driven, intelligent, passionate about making a difference for patients with rare diseases.
- Experience translating scientific opportunity into development programs and integrating research, clinical pharmacology, biometrics, and clinical trial execution in a matrix organization.
- Strong understanding of rare disease drug development, global clinical studies, regulatory evidence requirements, and the scientific and operational risks of a growing pipeline.
- Demonstrated ability to lead senior functional leaders, allocate resources, build teams, evaluate external opportunities, and communicate recommendations to executive and Board audiences.
- Scientific curiosity, sound quantitative judgment, collaborative leadership, and commitment to Travere’s values of Courage, Community Spirit, Patient Focus, and Teamwork.
- Operate effectively in a fast-paced, confidential, and matrixed environment with shifting priorities and compressed timelines.
- Team player and strong interpersonal and organizational skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent decision-making and collaboration skills with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require and to perform onsite work in San Diego as required.
Total Rewards Offerings:
Travere provides comprehensive total rewards offerings that demonstrate our commitment as a diverse, equitable, people-centric, and pay-for-performance organization.
Benefits: Our benefits include premium health, financial, work-life and well-being offerings for eligible employees and dependents, wellness and employee support programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with employer match and generous paid time off.
Compensation: Our competitive compensation package includes a combination of both cash compensation (base pay and short-term incentive) and long-term incentive compensation (company stock), designed to recognize, retain, and reward employees.
Target Base Pay Range:
$325,000.00 - $439,000.00
This information is current as of the date of this posting and may be modified in the future. Actual pay offered to a candidate will depend on a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, education, skills, and location.
Travere will accept applications on an ongoing basis until a candidate is selected for the position.
LOCATION:
San Diego
Travere Therapeutics, Inc. is an EEO/AA/Veteran/Disability Employer.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact us by sending an email to accommodations@travere.com. Please note that this email address is to be used exclusively to request an accommodation with the online application, interview or hiring process only. Travere HR will not reply to emails sent to this address for any other reason.
INTRODUCTION
Be a part of a global team that is inspired to make a difference in the lives of people living with rare disease.
At Travere Therapeutics, we recognize that our exceptional employees are vital to our success. We are a dedicated team focused on meeting the unique needs of rare patients. Our work is rewarding – both professionally and personally – because we are making a difference. We are passionate about what we do.
We are seeking talented individuals who will thrive in our collaborative, diverse, fast-paced environment and share in our mission – to identify, develop and deliver life-changing therapies to people living with rare disease. We stick by our values centered on patients, courage, community, and collaboration to pursue our vision of becoming a leading biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the delivery of innovation and hope to patients in the global rare disease community.
At Travere Therapeutics, we are in rare for life. We continue to courageously forge new paths as we move toward a common goal of elevating science and service for rare patients.
Position Summary:
The Chief Research Officer (CRO) reports to the EVP, Head of Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer and provides enterprise leadership for Research, Clinical Operations and Clinical Supplies, Clinical Pharmacology, and Biometrics. Through the leaders of these functions, the CRO connects early scientific work with rigorous clinical execution and high-quality evidence generation across Travere’s rare disease portfolio.
The CRO helps shape the long-term research agenda and pipeline strategy, assesses external innovation, and makes recommendations on scientific opportunity, development feasibility, investment, and risk. The role builds strong functional leaders and an effective organization while working closely with Clinical Development and Safety, Regulatory and Quality, Medical Affairs, Business Development, Program Management, Commercial, and Technical Operations. The CRO is accountable for the performance and budgets of the functions in the role’s remit and for their contribution to enterprise priorities.
Responsibilities:
Enterprise, Portfolio, and Organizational Leadership
- Serve as strategic advisor to the EVP, Head of R&D and CMO, CEO, and Board on research direction, development execution, evidence generation, portfolio choices, and organizational capabilities.
- Integrate scientific, clinical pharmacology, statistical, and operational perspectives into portfolio prioritization, investment decisions, development plans, lifecycle opportunities, and business development assessments.
- Lead scientific and translational due diligence for licensing, acquisitions, research collaborations, targets, and platform opportunities in partnership with Business Development, Clinical Development, and Technical Operations.
- Identify emerging science, technology, and academic collaboration opportunities that can strengthen Travere’s rare kidney and metabolic disease pipeline; translate selected opportunities into research and development plans.
- Develop leaders, succession plans, capabilities, resource plans, and budgets across the assigned functions; ensure clear decision rights, timely escalation, and disciplined execution across programs.
Research and Translational Science
- Provide strategic direction to the Head of Research for discovery biology, genetics, target selection and validation, translational biology, nonclinical development, biomarkers and assays, and external scientific collaborations.
- Set research priorities and decision criteria that connect disease understanding and preclinical evidence to clinically meaningful hypotheses and future development opportunities.
- Guide the transition from research to clinical development, including nonclinical evidence, biomarker strategy, pharmacology, and readiness for first-in-human evaluation, in partnership with Clinical Development and Regulatory.
- Build an external scientific network of investigators, academic institutions, disease experts, and partners; support the scientific assessment of new therapeutic approaches and technologies.
Clinical Operations and Clinical Supplies
- Provide executive oversight of global clinical trial planning and delivery through Clinical Operations leadership, from early studies through registrational and post-approval studies.
- Ensure sound operational plans for country and site selection, feasibility, enrollment, study start-up, monitoring, vendor and CRO oversight, clinical supplies, timelines, budgets, and trial closeout.
- Hold the organization accountable for trial quality, participant experience, data integrity, inspection readiness, and compliance with applicable GCP requirements and company procedures.
- Anticipate execution risks and resolve cross-functional tradeoffs with Clinical Development, Safety, Regulatory, Quality, Technical Operations, and Program Management; maintain clear ownership of trial delivery and supply handoffs.
Clinical Pharmacology
- Lead the clinical pharmacology strategy across programs, including PK/PD, exposure-response, dose and regimen selection, pharmacometrics, drug interactions, human ADME, and pediatric extrapolation where relevant.
- Connect nonclinical DMPK and translational findings to clinical study design, quantitative decision-making, and regulatory submissions in partnership with Research, Clinical Development, Biometrics, Regulatory, and Technical Operations.
- Ensure robust analysis, interpretation, and communication of pharmacology data for protocols, study reports, health authority interactions, submissions, labeling, and lifecycle development.
Biometrics and Evidence Generation
- Provide leadership for biostatistics, statistical programming, and data management, preserving the functional rigor and independent statistical judgment needed for credible evidence.
- Ensure statistical input into study design, endpoints, estimands, analysis plans, interim analyses, data standards, database lock, reporting, and integrated submission datasets.
- Align Biometrics with Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Clinical Pharmacology, Regulatory, Medical Affairs, and Program Management on data quality, interpretation, decision milestones, and evidence needs across the product lifecycle.
Board and External Engagement
- Lead the development of the R&D content and discussion plan for the Board’s Science & Technology Committee meetings, in partnership with the EVP, Head of R&D and CMO, committee leadership, and relevant functional and program leaders. Integrate program progress, research strategy, scientific opportunities, clinical execution risks, and decisions requiring Board input.
- Present research and development priorities, progress, risks, and recommendations to the Executive Team and Board; ensure materials are clear, balanced, and grounded in evidence.
- Represent Travere with scientific and academic collaborators, key opinion leaders, patient communities, and strategic partners. Support investor or analyst discussions on R&D matters when requested, in coordination with the EVP, Head of R&D and CMO and Investor Relations.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Advanced degree in a relevant scientific, medical, or quantitative discipline, such as a PhD, MD, PharmD, or equivalent experience required.
- 17+ years of progressive biotechnology or pharmaceutical leadership experience, including significant rare disease experience is required.
- Substantial leadership experience in biotechnology or pharmaceuticals, including oversight of multiple research and development functions and demonstrated enterprise judgment.
ADDITIONAL SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:
- The ideal candidate will embody Travere’s core values: Courage, Community Spirit, Patient Focus and Teamwork.
- Driven, intelligent, passionate about making a difference for patients with rare diseases.
- Experience translating scientific opportunity into development programs and integrating research, clinical pharmacology, biometrics, and clinical trial execution in a matrix organization.
- Strong understanding of rare disease drug development, global clinical studies, regulatory evidence requirements, and the scientific and operational risks of a growing pipeline.
- Demonstrated ability to lead senior functional leaders, allocate resources, build teams, evaluate external opportunities, and communicate recommendations to executive and Board audiences.
- Scientific curiosity, sound quantitative judgment, collaborative leadership, and commitment to Travere’s values of Courage, Community Spirit, Patient Focus, and Teamwork.
- Operate effectively in a fast-paced, confidential, and matrixed environment with shifting priorities and compressed timelines.
- Team player and strong interpersonal and organizational skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent decision-making and collaboration skills with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require and to perform onsite work in San Diego as required.
Total Rewards Offerings:
Travere provides comprehensive total rewards offerings that demonstrate our commitment as a diverse, equitable, people-centric, and pay-for-performance organization.
Benefits: Our benefits include premium health, financial, work-life and well-being offerings for eligible employees and dependents, wellness and employee support programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with employer match and generous paid time off.
Compensation: Our competitive compensation package includes a combination of both cash compensation (base pay and short-term incentive) and long-term incentive compensation (company stock), designed to recognize, retain, and reward employees.
Target Base Pay Range:
$325,000.00 - $439,000.00
This information is current as of the date of this posting and may be modified in the future. Actual pay offered to a candidate will depend on a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, education, skills, and location.
Travere will accept applications on an ongoing basis until a candidate is selected for the position.
LOCATION:
San Diego
Travere Therapeutics, Inc. is an EEO/AA/Veteran/Disability Employer.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact us by sending an email to accommodations@travere.com. Please note that this email address is to be used exclusively to request an accommodation with the online application, interview or hiring process only. Travere HR will not reply to emails sent to this address for any other reason.
Research Officer Job Roles in California
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Search Research Officer Jobs in CaliforniaResearch Officer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies and institutions sponsor visas for research officers in California?
California's leading research employers with active sponsorship histories include UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, Stanford University, UCLA, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Scripps Research, Genentech, Illumina, and Pfizer's La Jolla campus. Large academic medical centers such as UCSF and Cedars-Sinai also file regularly. National laboratories operated under the Department of Energy are among the most consistent H-1B and green card sponsors for research officer roles in the state.
Which visa types realistically apply to research officer roles in California?
Research officer positions typically require a relevant bachelor's or advanced degree, making them eligible for H-1B status as a specialty occupation. Candidates from Australia may qualify for the E-3 visa, while nationals of Chile or Singapore may use the H-1B1 visa. J-1 visa exchange visitor status is common at universities and national laboratories that hold designated sponsor status. F-1 students may work under OPT or STEM OPT if their degree is STEM-designated. EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based green cards are common long-term pathways at large research institutions.
Which cities in California have the most research officer visa sponsorship jobs?
San Francisco and the broader Bay Area lead in research officer sponsorship activity, driven by UCSF, UC Berkeley, Stanford, and a dense cluster of biotech and pharmaceutical employers. San Diego is a strong second, anchored by UC San Diego, Scripps Research, and the Torrey Pines biotech corridor. Los Angeles follows, with UCLA, USC, Cedars-Sinai, and a growing life sciences sector. Sacramento and Davis also see activity tied to UC Davis and state-funded research programs.
How to find research officer visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate lists California research officer roles specifically filtered to employers with verified visa sponsorship histories, so you can focus your search on organizations that have demonstrated willingness to sponsor. The platform covers positions at universities, national laboratories, biotech firms, and hospital research centers across the Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Searching by city within Migrate Mate helps narrow results to the institutional hubs most active in sponsoring international research staff.
Are there state-specific factors that affect visa sponsorship for research officers in California?
California's concentration of University of California campuses, national laboratories, and federally funded biotech firms creates a dense sponsorship environment that is relatively uncommon in other states. Many California employers in this space have established immigration counsel and recurring H-1B filing programs. Research officers working on federally funded grants may also encounter additional security or export control clearance requirements, which can affect certain nationalities or project assignments. J-1 waivers are sometimes available through California state agencies for researchers who incur the two-year home residency requirement.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research officer 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.