Research Assistant Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Kansas
Kansas research assistant roles are concentrated at the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University, with additional opportunities at research institutions in Lawrence, Manhattan, and Wichita. Universities here regularly sponsor international researchers across life sciences, engineering, and social sciences, making academic employers the primary pathway for visa sponsorship in this state.
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Position Overview
The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology invites qualified Ph.D. biologists to submit applications, which will be reviewed by individual faculty members and placed in a pool for consideration for research positions in all fields and related areas. To see a list of faculty members and their research opportunities please visit the following web site: http://eeb.ku.edu/faculty. If you are interested in a postdoctoral position with an EEB faculty member, please contact the faculty member directly to inquire about opportunities in their research group.
This is for a one-year initial appointment, with possibility of renewal based on funding and performance.
Job Description
50% - Conduct research in the scientific area of a faculty member in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and its affiliated researchers. This includes maintaining appropriate data collection and analysis documentation, providing written reports on research progress, and participating in research group meetings when asked.
25% - Disseminate research findings by 1) presenting research results at local, national and/or international conferences or colloquia, and 2) contributing to peer-reviewed publication(s) including, but not limited to data analysis, generating figures, writing drafts and revisions of manuscripts, responding to peer-reviews.
15% - Assist with supervision of graduate and undergraduate student research. This includes training and mentoring students in project design, data collection, data analysis, research results dissemination, and proper procedures for all instruments and safety regulations in the laboratory setting.
10% - Engage in career development activities. This includes completing responsible conduct in research training provided by the KU Office of Research, developing and submitting grant proposals for new projects (as appropriate), attending KU and/or Scientific Society led workshops on building skills for specific career trajectories (as appropriate), developing materials for job applications to move to next career stage, and practicing interviewing to move to next career stage.
Position Requirements
These positions will have the possibility of working on-site, hybrid, or fully remote.
Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Specifically, we cannot currently offer employment to candidates residing in the following states: California, Delaware, Idaho, and Minnesota. We appreciate your understanding and invite interested individuals from eligible states to apply.
Required Qualifications
Evaluation of the following requirements will be made through (1) records of accomplishment entered into CVs, (2) descriptions of research and educational experiences provided in application materials, (3) references, and/or (4) publications.
- Ph.D or ABD in Biology or related discipline.
- Record of research accomplishments in an area relevant to ongoing research projects in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Kansas, as evidenced by application materials.
- Strong written communications skills as evidenced by application materials.
NOTE: To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title or equivalent title, it is necessary to have the Ph.D. in hand. Appointments made without a certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an Acting basis not to exceed 6-months. Appointment duration will be extended upon final verification of degree.
This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.
Additional Candidate Instructions
A complete application consists of:
- resume or CV
- cover letter describing how you meet the required qualifications
- list of three professional references
Applications will be reviewed throughout the year until July 2027, when a new pool will be posted. Applicants will be contacted as positions become available.
Contact Information to Applicants
Lena Hileman, lhileman@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
Starting at $58,656
Application Review Begins
Saturday July 18, 2026
Anticipated Start Date
Monday August 3, 2026
Posting Information
- Posting ID: 33199BR
- Department: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
- Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
- Assignment: Hybrid
- Reg/Temp: Regular
- Employee Class: U-Unclassified Professional Staff
- Review Begins: 18-Jul-2026
Research Assistant Job Roles in Kansas
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Search Research Assistant Jobs in KansasResearch Assistant Jobs in Kansas: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies and institutions sponsor visas for research assistants in Kansas?
The largest sponsors of research assistant visa petitions in Kansas are its public universities: the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas State University in Manhattan, and Wichita State University. Federal facilities like the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan also hire research staff. Private sector sponsorship is less common but does occur at agricultural biotech and healthcare firms.
Which visa types are most common for research assistant roles in Kansas?
H-1B visa is the most common visa for research assistants who hold a qualifying bachelor's or advanced degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, or engineering. J-1 visa is widely used for postdoctoral and exchange researcher positions at Kansas universities. F-1 OPT and STEM OPT extension allow recent graduates to work before transitioning to H-1B visa sponsorship if their employer files a petition.
Which cities in Kansas have the most research assistant visa sponsorship jobs?
Lawrence and Manhattan are the strongest cities for research assistant sponsorship, anchored by the University of Kansas and Kansas State University respectively. Wichita follows with opportunities at Wichita State University and its adjacent aerospace and health research sector. Kansas City, KS, on the state's eastern border, also has biomedical and federal agency research positions that sponsor international candidates.
How to find research assistant visa sponsorship jobs in Kansas?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for roles where employers have a documented history of visa sponsorship, which saves significant time for international candidates. For research assistant positions in Kansas, searching Migrate Mate by state and role shows openings at universities and research institutions that have filed H-1B or J-1 petitions before, giving you a more targeted starting point than general job searches.
Are there state-specific considerations for research assistant roles and visa sponsorship in Kansas?
Kansas research assistant positions are heavily tied to university grant cycles, so hiring often aligns with the academic calendar and federal funding announcements. Prevailing wage requirements mean employers must pay the Department of Labor wage level for the position and location, which for research roles in Kansas is benchmarked to Lawrence, Manhattan, or Wichita metropolitan areas. Candidates with advanced STEM degrees have the strongest sponsorship prospects given the academic focus of most Kansas sponsors.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research assistant jobs in Kansas?
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.