J-1 Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa
Iowa's J-1 visa sponsorship is concentrated in agriculture, healthcare, and higher education, with university towns like Iowa City and Ames, and metros like Des Moines, driving the most opportunities. Intern and trainee programs are especially active across the state's food production and research sectors.
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INTRODUCTION
Requisition # 1002
Advertising Ends on: Wednesday, August 12th, 2026
Advertising Started on: Wednesday, July 29th, 2026
College: Carver College of Medicine
Department: Pediatrics
Salary
Salary: $37,000.00 - $39,000.00
Position Details
Full/Part Time Status: Full Time
Percent Time: 100%
Position Description:
The Research Intern will be responsible for performing research related activities and assisting with laboratory maintenance within the University of Iowa Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.
This position will provide support by conducting neuroscience research related to mouse models of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, which includes administrative duties related to ordering lab and animal supplies, maintenance and organization of relevant protocols, and remaining in compliance with various standard operating procedures and requirements. The position also includes performing behavioral, imaging and electrophysiology experiments, collecting and organizing data, and analyzing results.
It is expected that as the research intern gains experience with laboratory techniques and procedures, they will take on increased autonomy and collaboration with other laboratory members. They will also gradually increase the level of their scientific duties by adding experimental design and data analysis as well as preparation of materials for abstracts, reports, grant applications, and manuscripts.
Position Responsibilities
Research
- Perform research activities based upon protocols developed by other research staff or principal investigator of the research project.
- Read and review articles as directed and develop and maintain a working knowledge of the field and concepts pertaining to the project through familiarity with the scientific literature and attendance of internal and external meetings, seminars, workshops, and conferences when appropriate.
- As individual skills develop, search, compile, and critically evaluate scientific literature.
Conduct Experiments, Investigations, Evaluations
- Read and understand protocols; as individual skills develop, troubleshoot and propose modifications to existing protocols or develop new protocols with other researchers or principal investigator.
- Plan and perform experimental procedures assuring fidelity to protocols.
- Perform research activities related to the study of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Perform mouse colony maintenance and husbandry and maintain associated documentation and records.
- Perform mouse handling and behavioral experiments.
- As individual skills develop, perform pharmacological agent and viral vector administration, tissue harvest and processing, and other non-surgical and surgical procedures.
- Carry out fiber photometry and/or electrophysiology experiments in collaboration with Blackwell laboratory.
Collect, Analyze and Summarize Data; Prepare Reports; Contribute to Manuscripts, Publications
- Collect, record, organize, and as skills develop, analyze, data.
- Develop familiarity with basic spreadsheets and statistical concepts and software.
- Learn and implement animal monitoring software.
- Prepare figures and methods, bibliographies, and abstracts for use in posters, manuscripts, and grant application.
- Present results at lab meetings and other intra- and extra-mural meetings.
Administrative and Project Management
- Assist with procurement of lab and animal supplies and materials.
- Organize and maintain protocols and administrative documents.
- With minimal help from PI, arrange and plan daily, weekly, and monthly activities to prepare for and perform experiments.
- Track progress of research projects and regularly communicate with PI both verbally and through regular written updates.
Facilities and Equipment Management
- Develop and monitor quality control testing of equipment as necessary.
- Assist in the preparation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory and facility equipment.
- Adhere to safety and compliance guidelines.
Supervision/Staffing
- May train, provide directions, assignments, and feedback to other employees.
Education Requirement:
A bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering or a related biological science field or discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required Qualifications:
- Experience with animal handling and husbandry.
- Experience with data entry and analysis.
- Ability to work well both independently and in a team setting.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills, and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Highly Desired Qualifications
- Experience with animal handling and husbandry, and particularly mouse colony maintenance and management is highly desired.
- Experience with data analysis, statistics, programming.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Experience arranging and planning weekly to monthly activities to prepare for and perform experiments, efficiency, multi-tasking, and prioritization skills.
- Experience preparing materials for use in posters, manuscripts, and grant applications.
- Experience with rodent surgical techniques or brain tissue harvest.
Online Application Required Documents
- Resume
- Letter of Interest
To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.
Contact Information
Contact: Lisa A Dismang - lisa-dismang@uiowa.edu
Hsvc-Regional Centers
Center for Disabilities and Development
330 Hawkins Drive
246E CDD
Iowa City, IA 52242-1011
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu, to inquire or discuss accommodation needs.
Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at 319/335-5022.
Search J-1 Jobs by Industry in Iowa
Tips for Finding J-1 Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa
Target Iowa's land-grant university network
Iowa State University and the University of Iowa are among the state's largest J-1 sponsors. Research their international student offices, research labs, and affiliated teaching hospitals, which regularly host J-1 interns, trainees, and research scholars.
Focus on agribusiness and food science employers
Iowa is a top agricultural state, and companies in crop science, food processing, and animal nutrition frequently run J-1 trainee programs. Search for roles at firms with operations in the Midwest corridor where these programs are well-established.
Use Migrate Mate to filter by J-1 in Iowa
Migrate Mate lets you filter sponsorship jobs specifically by visa type and state. Browsing J-1 listings in Iowa surfaces employers already set up with designated sponsors, saving time you'd otherwise spend researching sponsorship eligibility manually.
Pursue Des Moines healthcare and insurance sector roles
Des Moines has a strong healthcare and financial services base. Hospitals and large insurers in the metro area have experience hosting J-1 clinical and administrative trainees, making them worth prioritizing in your outreach.
Connect with Iowa's designated sponsor organizations
J-1 visas require a State Department-designated sponsor. Organizations like CIEE, Cultural Vistas, and university-affiliated sponsors operate in Iowa. Identifying which sponsors work with your target industry before applying helps you understand the full process.
Align your program category to Iowa's dominant sectors
Iowa's strongest J-1 categories are intern, trainee, and research scholar. Framing your application around agriculture, life sciences, engineering, or healthcare aligns with what Iowa employers most commonly support and increases your odds of finding a sponsoring host.
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Get Access To All JobsJ-1 Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Iowa sponsor the most J-1 visas?
Agriculture and food science, healthcare, and higher education sponsor the most J-1 visas in Iowa. The state's large agribusiness sector supports intern and trainee programs in crop science, animal nutrition, and food processing. Universities and hospital systems across the state also host a significant share of J-1 research scholars and clinical trainees.
Which cities in Iowa have the most J-1 sponsorship jobs?
Iowa City and Ames have the highest concentration of J-1 opportunities due to the presence of the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. Des Moines, as the state capital and largest city, offers J-1 roles in healthcare, financial services, and corporate training programs. Cedar Rapids also hosts J-1 participants in manufacturing and food production.
What types of roles typically qualify for J-1 sponsorship in Iowa?
Roles that qualify for J-1 sponsorship in Iowa typically fall under the intern, trainee, or research scholar program categories. Common positions include agricultural research assistants, engineering trainees, clinical observers in hospital settings, and university research roles. The position must provide structured training or research experience relevant to the participant's field of study or career.
How do I find J-1 sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate lets you search specifically for J-1 sponsorship jobs in Iowa, filtering out roles where sponsorship isn't confirmed. Beyond that, reviewing the websites of Iowa's major universities, hospital networks, and agribusiness firms directly can surface trainee and intern openings. Checking the State Department's sponsor directory also helps identify which organizations are actively placing J-1 participants in the state.
Are there any Iowa-specific considerations for J-1 sponsorship?
Iowa does not impose state-level restrictions on J-1 participants beyond federal program requirements. However, the state's economy is heavily seasonal in agriculture, so intern and trainee program timelines often align with planting and harvest cycles. If you're pursuing a J-1 role in farming or food processing, confirming that the host employer works with a State Department-designated sponsor before applying is essential.