Biotech & Pharma Green Card Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa
Iowa's biotech and pharma sector, anchored by employers like Corteva Agriscience, Kemin Industries, and Principal Wellness Company in Des Moines and Ames, offers meaningful Green Card sponsorship opportunities for international scientists, researchers, and regulatory professionals. The state's agricultural biotech strength and growing life sciences presence make it a viable destination for long-term U.S. permanent residency pathways.
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INTRODUCTION
You Matter to Cambrex.
Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that provides drug substance, drug product, and analytical services across the entire drug lifecycle. With more than 40 years of experience and a growing team of over 2,000 professionals servicing global clients, Cambrex is a trusted partner in branded and generic markets for API and dosage form development and manufacturing.
Your Work Matters.
At Cambrex, we strive to build a culture where all colleagues have the opportunity to:
- engage in work that matters to our customers and the patients they serve
- learn new skills and enjoy new experiences in an engaging and safe environment
- strengthen connections with coworkers and the community
We’re committed to attracting and nurturing a passionate team of valued professionals in our fast-paced and growing company. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes healthcare, life insurance, planning for retirement, and more!
Your Future Matters.
Known for our customer-focused scientific and manufacturing excellence, as well as our strong commitment to quality and safety, we offer a range of career and growth opportunities across our global network of locations. Together with our customers, we aim to improve the quality of life for patients around the world. Start a career where You Matter by applying today!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the shift supervisor, the Reactor Operator will be expected to successfully produce chemical and pharmaceutical products in our manufacturing environment.
- Operate batch and continuous type reactors, high pressure reactors, centrifuges, filters, solvent distillation equipment and supporting equipment involved in testing, all according to designated procedures.
- Monitor the equipment; setting controls on valves, vacuums, pumps, pressures, etc., according to designated procedures to achieve desired results.
- Monitors the process variables and makes process control adjustments to maintain the proper process control. Use manual and computer-controlled devices to monitor and control the process.
- Clean all equipment used (boil, scrape or scrub out) following designated procedures.
- Assist in training new Pharma Reactor Operators.
- Drum compounds and hazardous waste; label according to set standards; transport to assigned areas.
- Assure area is kept clean and all precautions are taken to prevent environmental spills and control discharge to WWTP at acceptable limits.
- Interpret results and monitor processes using computer-controlled devices.
- Responsible for safe handling of hazardous materials including loading/unloading trucks, processing, packaging and cleanup of equipment.
- Responsible for completion of all operation log books in Pharma area.
- Troubleshoot production line and equipment problems in a safe and effective manner.
- Assist lab personnel with implementing new processes or process changes.
- Complete line entry, confined space, and hot work permits.
- Assist in writing and updating process procedures and SOP’s.
- Adhere to all EPA, FDA and cGMP regulations as they relate to the operation of the chemical production facility.
- Take samples for in-process and Quality Control analysis.
- Perform laboratory tests on process samples and act on results.
- Assume duties of Reactor Operator Chem I/II.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Good communication skills, both oral and written
- Strong mechanical aptitude/knowledge
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- 3 or more years of experience in a manufacturing environment or related business
- Standing and Walking - Operators stand for long periods and may also do a considerable amount of walking
- Lifting and Handling - This role may require lifting and handling of raw materials and equipment as much as 50 lbs.
- This job requires use of proper PPE, including but not limited to steel toe shoes, safety glasses, and fire-retardant clothing.
- Shift assignment may vary. Must be able to work nights and/or every other weekend as per shift assignment.
All requirements are subject to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Cambrex Corporation is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), ancestry, national origin, place of birth, age, marital status, disability/handicap, genetic information, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by federal, state, and/or local law.
COMPENSATION
- Pay: $26.66 - $30.00 per hour
BENEFITS
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
WORK LOCATION
Work Location: In person
Green Card Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in IowaBiotech & Pharma Green Card Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which biotech & pharma companies sponsor Green Card visas in Iowa?
Corteva Agriscience, headquartered in Johnston near Des Moines, is among Iowa's most active sponsors in agricultural biotech. Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer based in Des Moines, has also sponsored permanent residency for research and technical staff. Smaller contract research organizations and Iowa State University-affiliated biotech spinouts in Ames round out the employer pool. Sponsorship activity can be verified through USCIS I-140 and PERM filing disclosures.
Which cities in Iowa have the most biotech & pharma Green Card sponsorship jobs?
Des Moines and its suburbs, particularly Johnston and West Des Moines, concentrate the largest share of Iowa's biotech and pharma Green Card sponsorship activity, driven by corporate headquarters and research campuses. Ames is a secondary hub, benefiting from proximity to Iowa State University and its agricultural biotech ecosystem. Iowa City also sees sponsorship activity tied to University of Iowa Health Care and affiliated pharmaceutical research.
What types of biotech & pharma roles typically qualify for Green Card sponsorship in Iowa?
Roles requiring specialized scientific or technical degrees tend to qualify most consistently. These include research scientists, computational biologists, regulatory affairs specialists, process development engineers, and quality assurance managers. Positions tied to agricultural biotech, such as plant genomics researchers and crop science specialists, are particularly common in Iowa given the state's agriscience focus. Green Card sponsorship typically follows a period of employment on a nonimmigrant work visa such as the H-1B visa.
How do I find biotech & pharma Green Card sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international job seekers and filters listings by visa sponsorship type, including Green Card, and by industry. Searching the biotech and pharma category on Migrate Mate with Iowa as your target state surfaces employers actively sponsoring permanent residency, saving time compared to manually screening general job boards. Pairing that with PERM disclosure data from the Department of Labor helps confirm which Iowa employers have a documented history of Green Card filings.
Are there any Iowa-specific considerations for Green Card sponsorship in biotech & pharma?
Iowa's biotech sector skews heavily toward agricultural and food sciences, so candidates with backgrounds in agronomy, plant biology, or animal health science may find more sponsorship opportunities here than in traditional pharmaceutical hubs. Iowa does not have a state-level immigration program, so all sponsorship follows federal PERM and EB-2 or EB-3 processes. Employers in smaller Iowa markets may have less in-house immigration infrastructure, making attorney involvement on the employer side more variable than at large coastal firms.
What is the prevailing wage for Green Card biotech & pharma 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.