Associate Researcher Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa
Associate researcher jobs in Iowa are concentrated at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and research institutions in Iowa City and Ames. Employers in pharmaceutical, agricultural science, and public health sectors actively hire for these roles. International candidates pursuing visa sponsorship will find H-1B visa and other specialty occupation pathways relevant to this field.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Title:
Postdoctoral Research Associate (4-month TERM) - Ames National Laboratory
Appointment Type:
Post Doc/Trainee
Job Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
The Division of Materials Science and Engineering at Ames National Laboratory seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct high magnetic field characterization, heat capacity, and magnetotransport measurements of kagome metals. The candidate must have experience in preparing single-crystal samples and conducting measurements in high-field environments, including pulsed fields.
This will be a 4-month term position.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. in experimental condensed-matter physics, applied physics, materials science and engineering, or a closely related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with low-temperature experimental techniques, cryogenic systems, focused ion-beam sample preparation, high magnetic fields and pulsed fields.
- Experience conducting experiments at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory is highly valued.
- Background in magnetism, topological materials, and familiarity with conventional characterization (transport, PPMS/MPMS).
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in written reports, oral presentations, manuscripts, and interdisciplinary team discussions; collaborate with others; maintain accurate laboratory records; and meet project milestones.
Department/Program & College Description:
Would you like to work for a National Laboratory that conducts world-renowned research? Would you enjoy working on a beautiful university campus? Can you imagine yourself in a mid-sized location that regularly ranks as one of the U.S. Best Places to Live? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider a career with Ames National Laboratory!
Ames Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy federally contracted National Laboratory located in Ames, Iowa, on the campus of Iowa State University. We are dedicated to translating foundational science through applied research to create technological innovations. We create materials, inspire minds to solve problems, and address some of the most challenging issues facing our world today. We promote and believe in a culture of civility and shared ownership in support of the Laboratory's collective success.
Employment is with Iowa State University with appointment at Ames National Laboratory. Your appointment is contingent, at the time of hire and throughout your employment, on satisfying applicable requirements of Ames National Laboratory’s federal sponsor, the United States Department of Energy, and ISU requirements. These may include background checks, required disclosures of certain activities or affiliations, and eligibility determinations related to access of facilities, information, or projects. All positions require obtaining and maintaining federal government-issued access authorizations or meeting additional compliance requirements. If you do not meet or maintain applicable requirements or authorizations, or are deemed ineligible to participate in Laboratory activities, ISU may withdraw this offer or take appropriate employment action, up to and including termination.
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Application/Cover Letter
- List of Professional References
Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:
- Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
- Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
- Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
- Life insurance and long-term disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Various voluntary benefits and discounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellbeing program
Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Proposed Start Date:
January 1, 2027
Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period
Time Type:
Full time
Pay Grade:
Post Docs
Original Posting Date:
November 11, 2026
Posting Close Date:
November 17, 2026
Job Requisition Number:
R20238
Employees with appointment at Ames National Laboratory are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation during the recruitment phase for review by Ames National Laboratory.
Employment is contingent upon satisfying applicable requirements of Ames National Laboratory’s federal sponsor, the United States Department of Energy, and ISU requirements. These may include background checks and eligibility determinations related to access of facilities, information, or projects. This position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain government access authorization for the duration of the appointment.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
Position Title:
Postdoctoral Research Associate (4-month TERM) - Ames National Laboratory
Appointment Type:
Post Doc/Trainee
Job Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
The Division of Materials Science and Engineering at Ames National Laboratory seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct high magnetic field characterization, heat capacity, and magnetotransport measurements of kagome metals. The candidate must have experience in preparing single-crystal samples and conducting measurements in high-field environments, including pulsed fields.
This will be a 4-month term position.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. in experimental condensed-matter physics, applied physics, materials science and engineering, or a closely related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with low-temperature experimental techniques, cryogenic systems, focused ion-beam sample preparation, high magnetic fields and pulsed fields.
- Experience conducting experiments at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory is highly valued.
- Background in magnetism, topological materials, and familiarity with conventional characterization (transport, PPMS/MPMS).
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in written reports, oral presentations, manuscripts, and interdisciplinary team discussions; collaborate with others; maintain accurate laboratory records; and meet project milestones.
Department/Program & College Description:
Would you like to work for a National Laboratory that conducts world-renowned research? Would you enjoy working on a beautiful university campus? Can you imagine yourself in a mid-sized location that regularly ranks as one of the U.S. Best Places to Live? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider a career with Ames National Laboratory!
Ames Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy federally contracted National Laboratory located in Ames, Iowa, on the campus of Iowa State University. We are dedicated to translating foundational science through applied research to create technological innovations. We create materials, inspire minds to solve problems, and address some of the most challenging issues facing our world today. We promote and believe in a culture of civility and shared ownership in support of the Laboratory's collective success.
Employment is with Iowa State University with appointment at Ames National Laboratory. Your appointment is contingent, at the time of hire and throughout your employment, on satisfying applicable requirements of Ames National Laboratory’s federal sponsor, the United States Department of Energy, and ISU requirements. These may include background checks, required disclosures of certain activities or affiliations, and eligibility determinations related to access of facilities, information, or projects. All positions require obtaining and maintaining federal government-issued access authorizations or meeting additional compliance requirements. If you do not meet or maintain applicable requirements or authorizations, or are deemed ineligible to participate in Laboratory activities, ISU may withdraw this offer or take appropriate employment action, up to and including termination.
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Application/Cover Letter
- List of Professional References
Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:
- Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
- Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
- Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
- Life insurance and long-term disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Various voluntary benefits and discounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellbeing program
Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Proposed Start Date:
January 1, 2027
Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period
Time Type:
Full time
Pay Grade:
Post Docs
Original Posting Date:
November 11, 2026
Posting Close Date:
November 17, 2026
Job Requisition Number:
R20238
Employees with appointment at Ames National Laboratory are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation during the recruitment phase for review by Ames National Laboratory.
Employment is contingent upon satisfying applicable requirements of Ames National Laboratory’s federal sponsor, the United States Department of Energy, and ISU requirements. These may include background checks and eligibility determinations related to access of facilities, information, or projects. This position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain government access authorization for the duration of the appointment.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
Associate Researcher Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Associate Researcher Jobs in IowaAssociate Researcher Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies and institutions sponsor visas for associate researchers in Iowa?
The University of Iowa and Iowa State University are among the most active sponsors for associate researcher roles in the state, particularly in life sciences, public health, and agricultural research. Iowa-based biotech and pharmaceutical employers, along with federal research facilities affiliated with Iowa universities, also sponsor H-1B petitions for qualified candidates. Checking OFLC disclosure data by employer and occupation gives a clear picture of recent filing history.
Which visa types realistically fit associate researcher roles in Iowa?
Associate researcher roles typically qualify for H-1B status as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related scientific field. Candidates from Australia may qualify for the E-3 visa, while Chilean and Singaporean nationals can explore the H-1B1 visa. F-1 students may work under OPT or, if their degree is STEM-designated, a 24-month STEM OPT extension. The J-1 visa exchange visitor program also applies when a designated sponsor organization is involved. Permanent residence through EB-2 or EB-3 is an option for longer-term candidates.
Which cities in Iowa have the most associate researcher sponsorship jobs?
Iowa City and Ames account for the largest share of associate researcher sponsorship activity in the state, driven by the University of Iowa and Iowa State University respectively. Des Moines sees some activity through hospital systems and private research organizations. For roles in agricultural and food science research, employers clustered around Ames and central Iowa represent a consistent source of sponsored positions.
How to find associate researcher visa sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate lists associate researcher positions at Iowa employers with verified visa sponsorship history, searchable by city and research field. This makes it straightforward to identify which institutions in Iowa City, Ames, or Des Moines have actively filed for roles matching this occupation. Filtering by role category on Migrate Mate saves time compared to manually sorting through general postings that may not lead to sponsorship.
Are there state-specific factors that affect visa sponsorship for associate researchers in Iowa?
Iowa's research environment is heavily shaped by its major research universities and a strong agricultural science sector, which means many sponsored associate researcher positions are tied to academic grant cycles or federally funded projects. Sponsorship timelines can align with grant renewal periods, so candidates benefit from applying ahead of the academic hiring season. University positions often come with established immigration support offices familiar with H-1B and J-1 processes, which can streamline the experience for international hires.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored associate researcher jobs in Iowa?
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.