Research Assistant Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa
Iowa's research assistant jobs are concentrated at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa, with additional opportunities at biotech and agricultural research institutions. Iowa City and Ames are the primary hiring hubs. Many positions qualify for H-1B visa or J-1 visa sponsorship through university and research organization channels.
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Get Access To All JobsBASIC FUNCTION:
Provide support for research by conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing results and performing operational duties associated with the laboratory (bench), animal or human research. Key areas of responsibilities include conducting research activities/experiments, collecting, analyzing and summarizing data, preparing reports, contributing to manuscripts/publications, administrative and project management, facilities and equipment management, and supervision/staffing.
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:
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.
- As individual skills develop, analyze literature to develop hypothesis for discussion with other researchers or principal investigators.
Experiments, Investigations, Evaluations:
- Read and understand protocols.
- Arrange and plan daily activities to prepare research protocols.
- Set up and operate research materials or equipment.
- Perform procedures assuring fidelity to protocols.
- Perform varied tasks in the research environment (lab, clinic, field, classroom).
- Adhere to safety and compliance guidelines.
- Collect, record and consolidate data as directed by the Principal Investigator.
- Track progress of research activities.
- Adhere to Quality Assurance protocols to maintain validity and integrity of research data.
- As individual skills develop: troubleshoot, analyze and propose modifications to protocols; perform complex techniques per protocol; test and evaluate current procedures; develop and implement procedures for monitoring data integrity; pay present results at team meetings.
Collect, Analyze and Summarize Data; Prepare Reports; Contribute to Manuscripts, Publications:
- Collect and track, perform data entry for reports and maintain records of methods used.
- Prepare materials for reports.
- As skills develop, analyze data.
- Prepare bibliographies and abstracts for publications.
- May present results/finding at team and departmental meetings.
Administrative and Project Management:
- Assist with IRB, ACURF or similar protocol submissions, if applicable.
- Track various indicators of project progress and summarize in reports to the research team.
- Assist in documenting compliance with safety and regulatory guidelines.
Facilities and Equipment Management:
- Assist in the preparation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory and facility equipment.
- Assist with procurement of supplies and materials.
- May initiate purchasing requests, monitor accounts/expenditures; reconcile statements.
Supervision/Staffing:
- As skills develop, may train, provide direction, assignments, feedback, coaching and counseling of employees to assure outcomes are achieved.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 1 year of experience is required.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Familiarity with basic lab research techniques including but not limited to sample processing, qPCR, ELISA, DNA/RNA extraction, and cell culture techniques.
- Comfortable working with research animals if needed.
Position and Application Details:
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For additional questions, please contact ashley-rayer@uiowa.edu.
Additional Information
- Classification Title: Research Assistant
- Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
- Schedule: Full-time
Compensation
- Pay Level: 3A
Contact Information
- Organization: Healthcare
- Contact Name: Ashley Nelson
- Contact Email: ashley-rayer@uiowa.edu
BASIC FUNCTION:
Provide support for research by conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing results and performing operational duties associated with the laboratory (bench), animal or human research. Key areas of responsibilities include conducting research activities/experiments, collecting, analyzing and summarizing data, preparing reports, contributing to manuscripts/publications, administrative and project management, facilities and equipment management, and supervision/staffing.
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:
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.
- As individual skills develop, analyze literature to develop hypothesis for discussion with other researchers or principal investigators.
Experiments, Investigations, Evaluations:
- Read and understand protocols.
- Arrange and plan daily activities to prepare research protocols.
- Set up and operate research materials or equipment.
- Perform procedures assuring fidelity to protocols.
- Perform varied tasks in the research environment (lab, clinic, field, classroom).
- Adhere to safety and compliance guidelines.
- Collect, record and consolidate data as directed by the Principal Investigator.
- Track progress of research activities.
- Adhere to Quality Assurance protocols to maintain validity and integrity of research data.
- As individual skills develop: troubleshoot, analyze and propose modifications to protocols; perform complex techniques per protocol; test and evaluate current procedures; develop and implement procedures for monitoring data integrity; pay present results at team meetings.
Collect, Analyze and Summarize Data; Prepare Reports; Contribute to Manuscripts, Publications:
- Collect and track, perform data entry for reports and maintain records of methods used.
- Prepare materials for reports.
- As skills develop, analyze data.
- Prepare bibliographies and abstracts for publications.
- May present results/finding at team and departmental meetings.
Administrative and Project Management:
- Assist with IRB, ACURF or similar protocol submissions, if applicable.
- Track various indicators of project progress and summarize in reports to the research team.
- Assist in documenting compliance with safety and regulatory guidelines.
Facilities and Equipment Management:
- Assist in the preparation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory and facility equipment.
- Assist with procurement of supplies and materials.
- May initiate purchasing requests, monitor accounts/expenditures; reconcile statements.
Supervision/Staffing:
- As skills develop, may train, provide direction, assignments, feedback, coaching and counseling of employees to assure outcomes are achieved.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 1 year of experience is required.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Familiarity with basic lab research techniques including but not limited to sample processing, qPCR, ELISA, DNA/RNA extraction, and cell culture techniques.
- Comfortable working with research animals if needed.
Position and Application Details:
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For additional questions, please contact ashley-rayer@uiowa.edu.
Additional Information
- Classification Title: Research Assistant
- Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
- Schedule: Full-time
Compensation
- Pay Level: 3A
Contact Information
- Organization: Healthcare
- Contact Name: Ashley Nelson
- Contact Email: ashley-rayer@uiowa.edu
Research Assistant Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Research Assistant Jobs in IowaResearch Assistant Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies and institutions sponsor visas for research assistants in Iowa?
The University of Iowa and Iowa State University are the most active sponsors for research assistant roles in Iowa, with established international hiring processes across sciences, engineering, and social sciences. Iowa State's research programs in agriculture and engineering are particularly active. The University of Northern Iowa and private research organizations like the Iowa Institute for Biomedical Imaging also sponsor qualifying positions.
Which visa types are most common for research assistant roles in Iowa?
The J-1 Exchange Visitor visa is common for research assistant positions, particularly at universities hosting exchange scholars. The H-1B is used when the role qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field. F-1 OPT is another path for recent graduates already in the U.S., allowing work authorization while transitioning to employer-sponsored status.
Which cities in Iowa have the most research assistant visa sponsorship jobs?
Iowa City and Ames account for the majority of research assistant sponsorship opportunities in Iowa, driven by the University of Iowa and Iowa State University respectively. Cedar Rapids has some presence through private sector research and healthcare. Outside these three cities, sponsorship opportunities for research assistants are limited, so targeting Iowa City and Ames will yield the most options.
How to find research assistant visa sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for visa sponsorship eligibility, making it straightforward to find research assistant roles in Iowa that welcome international applicants. You can search by role and state to surface positions at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and other Iowa employers. This saves time compared to reviewing individual employer career portals to determine sponsorship availability.
Are there any state-specific considerations for research assistants seeking sponsorship in Iowa?
Iowa's research sector is closely tied to its flagship universities and agricultural science programs, meaning most sponsorship pipelines flow through academic or publicly funded institutions. These employers are generally experienced with H-1B and J-1 processes. Positions framed as postdoctoral research or graduate-level research roles are more likely to qualify for sponsorship than entry-level lab support roles, which may not meet specialty occupation standards.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research assistant 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.