Research Scientist Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Florida
Florida's research scientist market spans biotech corridors in Miami and Tampa, aerospace and defense labs near Orlando and the Space Coast, and major academic medical centers including the University of Florida, University of Miami, and Moffitt Cancer Center. Employers across these sectors regularly sponsor H-1B visa and O-1 visas for qualified research scientists.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Successful candidates for the Advanced Research Scientist position will investigate cellular and molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis and microglial mechanisms using transgenic and knock-out mice as well as cellular models of BIN1, a major late-onset Alzheimer’s disease risk gene. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment and train with experienced neuropathologists, molecular biologists, and cellular neuroscientists investigating various aspects of brain diseases and dysfunction. We are seeking candidates with previous experience in molecular neurobiology and models of neurodegenerative diseases. Preference will be given to candidates with interdisciplinary training and expertise in neuropathology and transcriptomics.
Responsibilities:
- Perform molecular and pathological characterization of mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Perform cell biological studies and functional assays using cultured microglial cells and other cell culture models.
- Contribute to multiple research projects in the lab and participate in training junior lab members, including graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
Minimum Qualifications:
- This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a natural, physical or medical science with 2 years of experience.
- Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
- SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
- A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
(a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
(b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
(c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
(d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree.
- Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
- Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong background in neurodegenerative diseases, neuropathology, and advanced microscopy applications.
- Experience with models of neurodegeneration, transcriptomic analysis, and microglial characterization.
- A successful applicant must be dedicated, responsible, detail-oriented, well-organized, efficient, and communicate clearly with other lab members.
- The position also requires excellent written and oral communication skills, exceptional organizational skills, practiced documentation skills, and the ability to handle information of sensitive and confidential nature in a professional manner.
- Ability to work independently and as a team, set priorities, and manage time effectively despite unanticipated interruptions. Willingness to adjust to changes in the workload and change focus as needed.
Special Skills/Trainings:
- Expertise in R and large-scale analysis of gene expression.
Additional Application Materials Required:
- CV, cover letter, and letter of intent.
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
INTRODUCTION
Successful candidates for the Advanced Research Scientist position will investigate cellular and molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis and microglial mechanisms using transgenic and knock-out mice as well as cellular models of BIN1, a major late-onset Alzheimer’s disease risk gene. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment and train with experienced neuropathologists, molecular biologists, and cellular neuroscientists investigating various aspects of brain diseases and dysfunction. We are seeking candidates with previous experience in molecular neurobiology and models of neurodegenerative diseases. Preference will be given to candidates with interdisciplinary training and expertise in neuropathology and transcriptomics.
Responsibilities:
- Perform molecular and pathological characterization of mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Perform cell biological studies and functional assays using cultured microglial cells and other cell culture models.
- Contribute to multiple research projects in the lab and participate in training junior lab members, including graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
Minimum Qualifications:
- This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a natural, physical or medical science with 2 years of experience.
- Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
- SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
- A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
(a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
(b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
(c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
(d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree.
- Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
- Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong background in neurodegenerative diseases, neuropathology, and advanced microscopy applications.
- Experience with models of neurodegeneration, transcriptomic analysis, and microglial characterization.
- A successful applicant must be dedicated, responsible, detail-oriented, well-organized, efficient, and communicate clearly with other lab members.
- The position also requires excellent written and oral communication skills, exceptional organizational skills, practiced documentation skills, and the ability to handle information of sensitive and confidential nature in a professional manner.
- Ability to work independently and as a team, set priorities, and manage time effectively despite unanticipated interruptions. Willingness to adjust to changes in the workload and change focus as needed.
Special Skills/Trainings:
- Expertise in R and large-scale analysis of gene expression.
Additional Application Materials Required:
- CV, cover letter, and letter of intent.
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
Research Scientist Job Roles in Florida
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Search Research Scientist Jobs in FloridaResearch Scientist Jobs in Florida: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for research scientists in Florida?
Florida employers with documented H-1B sponsorship for research scientists include Moffitt Cancer Center, Scripps Research (Jupiter campus), Florida International University, University of Florida, University of Miami Health System, and defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman near Orlando. Pharmaceutical and biotech firms concentrated in the Tampa Bay and Miami-Dade areas also sponsor regularly, though sponsorship decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
Which visa types are most common for research scientist roles in Florida?
The H-1B is the most common visa for research scientists in Florida, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a specific scientific discipline. Researchers with exceptional achievement may qualify for the O-1A. Those sponsored through university or nonprofit research institutions may also encounter J-1 visa exchange visitor appointments, though J-1 holders often face a two-year home residency requirement before changing status.
Which cities in Florida have the most research scientist sponsorship jobs?
Miami leads in life sciences and biotech research hiring, supported by the University of Miami and a growing biopharma presence. Tampa is a significant hub due to Moffitt Cancer Center and the University of South Florida research enterprise. Orlando and the Space Coast concentrate aerospace, defense, and engineering research roles. Gainesville and Jacksonville round out the state, driven by the University of Florida and Mayo Clinic's Florida campus respectively.
How to find research scientist visa sponsorship jobs in Florida?
Migrate Mate filters research scientist roles specifically to employers in Florida that have a history of sponsoring work visas, saving you from manually sorting through postings that don't offer sponsorship. You can search by city, research discipline, and visa type. Because Florida's research sector spans biotech, aerospace, and academic medicine, using a sponsorship-focused filter like Migrate Mate is more efficient than broad job searches that surface many non-sponsoring employers.
Are there any Florida-specific considerations for research scientists seeking visa sponsorship?
Florida has no state income tax, which affects how prevailing wage determinations compare to cost-of-living in cities like Miami, where living costs are higher than average. Florida's university system, including the State University System's twelve campuses, generates a strong pipeline of H-1B petitions for postdoctoral and faculty research roles. Cap-exempt employers, particularly universities and affiliated nonprofit research organizations, can file H-1B petitions year-round outside the annual lottery.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research scientist jobs in Florida?
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.