Research Scientist Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa
Iowa's research scientist roles are concentrated at major employers like the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and companies in the agribusiness and biosciences sectors around Ames, Iowa City, and Des Moines. Many of these organizations have established track records of sponsoring work visas for qualified international research talent.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals! As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Your Role: Clinical Laboratory Research Scientist
As a Research Scientist on our Clinical Development Sciences team, you will play a crucial role in advancing Elanco’s pipeline. You will be at the forefront of supporting our ongoing clinical studies by planning, conducting, and meticulously documenting pivotal laboratory experiments. This position offers a unique opportunity to not only contribute to the statistical analysis of clinical trials but also to drive innovation by identifying and applying new technologies to enhance our clinical laboratory capabilities.
Your Responsibilities:
- Experimental Design & Execution: Work with Sponsors and Study Managers to define project requirements; develop and review protocols, validation methods, and sample analysis plans to support clinical studies (GRP).
- Methodology & Innovation: Identify, develop, and implement new viral/bacterial culture methodologies, analytical methods, and laboratory technologies to continuously update and improve the clinical laboratory's capabilities.
- Data Integrity & Analysis: Independently review, approve, and prepare raw data and laboratory data packages for statistical analysis, ensuring scientific accuracy, completeness, and compliance with all quality systems and standards (e.g., GxP, SOPs).
- Technical Leadership & Support: Lead troubleshooting efforts to resolve scientific issues, manage complex project workloads, and provide technical support to ensure the successful and timely completion of studies.
- Laboratory Operations: Maintain the laboratory infrastructure, including equipment and a clean, safe, and organized working environment, while preparing and updating SOPs and working procedures.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Animal Science, or a related scientific discipline with equivalent experience.
- Experience: A minimum of 5-8 years of hands-on experience in a laboratory setting.
- Top Skills: Demonstrated experience in laboratory techniques (such as cell culture, assay design, and molecular biology) and a strong understanding of experimental design and data analysis.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):
- Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a relevant scientific discipline.
- In-depth knowledge of clinical laboratory study design, execution, and operational workflow in a GxP-regulated environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with proven ability to collaborate effectively in a team setting and present complex scientific data.
- Experience in leading troubleshooting efforts, managing complex projects, or mentoring junior scientists.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Travel: Less than 10%
- Location: Fort Dodge, IA – On-Site Work Environment
Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrecognized groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
ELANCO BENEFITS AND PERKS
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
- Multiple relocation packages
- Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
- 8-week parental leave
- 9 Employee Resource Groups
- Annual bonus offering
- Flexible work arrangements
- Up to 6% 401K matching
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.
INTRODUCTION
At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals! As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Your Role: Clinical Laboratory Research Scientist
As a Research Scientist on our Clinical Development Sciences team, you will play a crucial role in advancing Elanco’s pipeline. You will be at the forefront of supporting our ongoing clinical studies by planning, conducting, and meticulously documenting pivotal laboratory experiments. This position offers a unique opportunity to not only contribute to the statistical analysis of clinical trials but also to drive innovation by identifying and applying new technologies to enhance our clinical laboratory capabilities.
Your Responsibilities:
- Experimental Design & Execution: Work with Sponsors and Study Managers to define project requirements; develop and review protocols, validation methods, and sample analysis plans to support clinical studies (GRP).
- Methodology & Innovation: Identify, develop, and implement new viral/bacterial culture methodologies, analytical methods, and laboratory technologies to continuously update and improve the clinical laboratory's capabilities.
- Data Integrity & Analysis: Independently review, approve, and prepare raw data and laboratory data packages for statistical analysis, ensuring scientific accuracy, completeness, and compliance with all quality systems and standards (e.g., GxP, SOPs).
- Technical Leadership & Support: Lead troubleshooting efforts to resolve scientific issues, manage complex project workloads, and provide technical support to ensure the successful and timely completion of studies.
- Laboratory Operations: Maintain the laboratory infrastructure, including equipment and a clean, safe, and organized working environment, while preparing and updating SOPs and working procedures.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Animal Science, or a related scientific discipline with equivalent experience.
- Experience: A minimum of 5-8 years of hands-on experience in a laboratory setting.
- Top Skills: Demonstrated experience in laboratory techniques (such as cell culture, assay design, and molecular biology) and a strong understanding of experimental design and data analysis.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):
- Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a relevant scientific discipline.
- In-depth knowledge of clinical laboratory study design, execution, and operational workflow in a GxP-regulated environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with proven ability to collaborate effectively in a team setting and present complex scientific data.
- Experience in leading troubleshooting efforts, managing complex projects, or mentoring junior scientists.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Travel: Less than 10%
- Location: Fort Dodge, IA – On-Site Work Environment
Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrecognized groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
ELANCO BENEFITS AND PERKS
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
- Multiple relocation packages
- Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
- 8-week parental leave
- 9 Employee Resource Groups
- Annual bonus offering
- Flexible work arrangements
- Up to 6% 401K matching
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.
Research Scientist Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Research Scientist Jobs in IowaResearch Scientist Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for research scientists in Iowa?
Universities are among the most consistent visa sponsors for research scientists in Iowa. The University of Iowa and Iowa State University regularly sponsor H-1B visas for research faculty and postdoctoral researchers. In the private sector, agricultural biotechnology companies operating in the Ames and Des Moines corridors, along with life sciences firms, have documented histories of sponsoring international researchers through H-1B and O-1 visa petitions.
Which visa types are most common for research scientist roles in Iowa?
The H-1B is the most common visa for research scientists in Iowa, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific field. University-employed researchers may also encounter J-1 visa exchange visitor status for postdoctoral positions. Candidates with exceptional records in their field sometimes pursue the O-1A, which is not subject to the annual H-1B lottery.
Which cities in Iowa have the most research scientist sponsorship jobs?
Ames and Iowa City account for the largest share of research scientist sponsorship activity in Iowa, driven by Iowa State University and the University of Iowa respectively. Des Moines has a growing presence in life sciences and agricultural technology that supports additional research hiring. Smaller but notable research activity exists near Cedar Rapids, where food science and agribusiness companies maintain research operations.
How to find research scientist visa sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it easier to identify research scientist openings in Iowa without sorting through roles that do not offer sponsorship. You can search by role and state to surface positions at Iowa universities, agricultural biotech firms, and life sciences employers that have actively sponsored international researchers. This saves significant time compared to reviewing employer career pages individually.
Are there state-specific considerations for research scientists pursuing sponsorship in Iowa?
Iowa's research hiring is heavily tied to agriculture, veterinary science, and food technology, so candidates with expertise in those disciplines tend to find more relevant openings than those in fields like finance or urban tech. University positions often come with more structured sponsorship processes than private employers. Prevailing wage requirements apply statewide and are determined by the Department of Labor based on the specific role, level, and work location.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research scientist 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.