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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The Kansas Data Science Consortium (KDSC) is a project housed at the Institute for Policy & Social Research (IPSR), a faculty-driven research center supporting social scientists who focus on social problems and policy-relevant research questions. The KDSC at the University of Kansas invites candidates to apply for a Postdoctoral Researcher position for a 9-month appointment. The position is expected to begin as early as September 1, 2026. KDSC is particularly interested in candidates who aspire to become academic researchers in applied microeconomics (particularly labor and education), environmental economics, or international trade.
The Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with Dr. William Duncan on multiple projects related to data housed in KDSC’s signature program, Community Data Labs. The position offers opportunities for co-authorship on publications. The candidate will also have opportunities to collaborate with IPSR-affiliated faculty. This work is supported by funding from the National Science Foundation.
The advertised salary range of $60,000-$68,000 reflects a 12-month appointment; however, this position will only serve a 9-month appointment. The adjusted compensation over 9 months will be $44,827-$50,804, commensurate with experience. This range reflects a full 9-month appointment and may be subject to change based on official start date.
Job Description
70% - Research:
- Data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
- Prepare, test, and document complex datasets for sponsored research: Combine data from multiple sources.
- Combine data from multiple years to create longitudinal datasets.
- Test created datasets for consistency, outliers, and missing values.
- Document code to make updating and revision easier.
- Perform work as part of a research team.
15% - Scholarly Outputs:
- Craft scholarly outputs such as conference proposals and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
- Prepare and present updates on ongoing research, provide written reports on progress, participate in group meetings.
- Prepare and present technical workshops to the Community Data Labs class and KDSC Research Lab.
- Collaborate with ARISE theme researchers and present research at ARISE events.
15% - Teaching:
- Teach data science students and provide feedback and guidance on student data science projects.
- Provide support for Data Science Majors and Courses.
- Provide data science consulting services by request in collaboration with the KDSC Data Engineer.
Required Qualifications
- A PhD in economics, public policy, political science, geography, sociology, or demography, with an emphasis on quantitative methods.
- Experience with programming in STATA, SAS or R and handling large-scale population surveys and administrative records, as evidenced in application materials.
- Strong writing and communication skills, as demonstrated in application materials.
- A proven ability to work independently, as demonstrated in application materials.
NOTE: To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title, it is necessary to have the PhD 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.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience with quantitative research related to applied microeconomic disciplines.
- Strong microeconometric skills, as demonstrated by research using these methods.
Additional Candidate Instructions
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
- Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
- Resume
- List of three (3) professional references
- Writing sample
Only complete applications will be considered.
Application review begins Monday, August 3rd, 2026. To ensure consideration, please apply prior to this date.
Contact Information to Applicants
Emma Howard, e.howard@ku.edu
KDSC | Research Project Specialist
Advertised Salary Range
$60,000 - $68,000, commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Monday August 3, 2026
Anticipated Start Date
Tuesday September 1, 2026
Posting Information
- Posting ID: 33174BR
- Department: Inst for Policy & Social Res
- Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
- Assignment: Hybrid
- Reg/Temp: Regular
- Employee Class: U-Unclassified Professional Staff
- Review Begins: 03-Aug-2026
Position Overview
The Kansas Data Science Consortium (KDSC) is a project housed at the Institute for Policy & Social Research (IPSR), a faculty-driven research center supporting social scientists who focus on social problems and policy-relevant research questions. The KDSC at the University of Kansas invites candidates to apply for a Postdoctoral Researcher position for a 9-month appointment. The position is expected to begin as early as September 1, 2026. KDSC is particularly interested in candidates who aspire to become academic researchers in applied microeconomics (particularly labor and education), environmental economics, or international trade.
The Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with Dr. William Duncan on multiple projects related to data housed in KDSC’s signature program, Community Data Labs. The position offers opportunities for co-authorship on publications. The candidate will also have opportunities to collaborate with IPSR-affiliated faculty. This work is supported by funding from the National Science Foundation.
The advertised salary range of $60,000-$68,000 reflects a 12-month appointment; however, this position will only serve a 9-month appointment. The adjusted compensation over 9 months will be $44,827-$50,804, commensurate with experience. This range reflects a full 9-month appointment and may be subject to change based on official start date.
Job Description
70% - Research:
- Data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
- Prepare, test, and document complex datasets for sponsored research: Combine data from multiple sources.
- Combine data from multiple years to create longitudinal datasets.
- Test created datasets for consistency, outliers, and missing values.
- Document code to make updating and revision easier.
- Perform work as part of a research team.
15% - Scholarly Outputs:
- Craft scholarly outputs such as conference proposals and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
- Prepare and present updates on ongoing research, provide written reports on progress, participate in group meetings.
- Prepare and present technical workshops to the Community Data Labs class and KDSC Research Lab.
- Collaborate with ARISE theme researchers and present research at ARISE events.
15% - Teaching:
- Teach data science students and provide feedback and guidance on student data science projects.
- Provide support for Data Science Majors and Courses.
- Provide data science consulting services by request in collaboration with the KDSC Data Engineer.
Required Qualifications
- A PhD in economics, public policy, political science, geography, sociology, or demography, with an emphasis on quantitative methods.
- Experience with programming in STATA, SAS or R and handling large-scale population surveys and administrative records, as evidenced in application materials.
- Strong writing and communication skills, as demonstrated in application materials.
- A proven ability to work independently, as demonstrated in application materials.
NOTE: To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title, it is necessary to have the PhD 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.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience with quantitative research related to applied microeconomic disciplines.
- Strong microeconometric skills, as demonstrated by research using these methods.
Additional Candidate Instructions
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
- Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
- Resume
- List of three (3) professional references
- Writing sample
Only complete applications will be considered.
Application review begins Monday, August 3rd, 2026. To ensure consideration, please apply prior to this date.
Contact Information to Applicants
Emma Howard, e.howard@ku.edu
KDSC | Research Project Specialist
Advertised Salary Range
$60,000 - $68,000, commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Monday August 3, 2026
Anticipated Start Date
Tuesday September 1, 2026
Posting Information
- Posting ID: 33174BR
- Department: Inst for Policy & Social Res
- Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
- Assignment: Hybrid
- Reg/Temp: Regular
- Employee Class: U-Unclassified Professional Staff
- Review Begins: 03-Aug-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.