Scientist Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Kentucky
Kentucky's scientist job market is anchored by the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory network, and major pharmaceutical and agricultural research employers across Lexington and Louisville. Companies in life sciences, materials science, and environmental research regularly sponsor H-1B visa and O-1 visas for qualified international scientists.
Find Scientist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 24+ Scientist Jobs in Kentucky with Visa Sponsorship
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all Scientist Jobs in Kentucky with Visa Sponsorship
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Scientist Jobs in Kentucky with Visa Sponsorship.
Get Access To All JobsJob Title: HLA Laboratory Scientist/UKHC
Requisition Number: RE53230
Department Name: H3200: Laboratory Services
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 10
Salary Range: $23.25-39.10/hour
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education:
BS
Required Related Experience:
0 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification:
None
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to remain in a stationary position up to 50% of the time and will have extensive periods of viewing data on PC monitor(s). There will also be periods of lifting objects up to 25 lbs.
Shift:
This lab operates 24 hours, 5 days a week. 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift may be available, rotating weekend on-call will be required.
Job Summary:
The HLA Laboratory Scientist/UKHC will be responsible for performing laboratory testing in a fast-paced academic medical center. The Laboratory provides services to all aspects of the Level I trauma center and throughout the healthcare enterprise, including solid organ and bone marrow transplant, KY Children’s Hospital, and Markey Cancer Center. This position is responsible for the analysis and reporting of results of high complexity laboratory tests performed in the Immuno-Molecular Pathology Laboratory. This laboratory section provides laboratory service for hematology/oncology divisions of medicine. The section also provides referral service for other institutions. This CAP and ASHI-Accredited Laboratory at the University of Kentucky showcases the use of state-of-the-art instrumentation and technology. You will need to provide an academic transcript to be hired on this position. Please attach your transcript to this application before submitting. The Laboratory Services department has a variety of specialties and areas. For more information about any of our job openings, contact Jeff Bush, Enterprise Director at Jeffery.Bush1@uky.edu.
IMPORTANT: Resumes and CVs cannot be substituted for a completed application. Incomplete applications could disqualify you from being considered for this position. To be considered for this position you must fully complete the online application being sure to only put one (1) job title for each entry (multiple job titles for one employer must have separate entries), the # of hours worked per week and your ending salary. All job titles and dates must correspond with those appearing on your resume.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities:
Experience in handling patient specimens and performing complex testing and analysis. Possesses ability to organize/prioritize work assignments and work independently. Multitasking, computer skills, customer service, troubleshooting, attention to detail.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience:
Three or more years of experience in a clinical laboratory preferred. Knowledge of hematology, immunology, and/or blood banking, including processing and/or cryopreservation concepts and practices preferred.
Deadline to Apply: 06/11/2026
Our University Community:
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Job Title: HLA Laboratory Scientist/UKHC
Requisition Number: RE53230
Department Name: H3200: Laboratory Services
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 10
Salary Range: $23.25-39.10/hour
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education:
BS
Required Related Experience:
0 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification:
None
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to remain in a stationary position up to 50% of the time and will have extensive periods of viewing data on PC monitor(s). There will also be periods of lifting objects up to 25 lbs.
Shift:
This lab operates 24 hours, 5 days a week. 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift may be available, rotating weekend on-call will be required.
Job Summary:
The HLA Laboratory Scientist/UKHC will be responsible for performing laboratory testing in a fast-paced academic medical center. The Laboratory provides services to all aspects of the Level I trauma center and throughout the healthcare enterprise, including solid organ and bone marrow transplant, KY Children’s Hospital, and Markey Cancer Center. This position is responsible for the analysis and reporting of results of high complexity laboratory tests performed in the Immuno-Molecular Pathology Laboratory. This laboratory section provides laboratory service for hematology/oncology divisions of medicine. The section also provides referral service for other institutions. This CAP and ASHI-Accredited Laboratory at the University of Kentucky showcases the use of state-of-the-art instrumentation and technology. You will need to provide an academic transcript to be hired on this position. Please attach your transcript to this application before submitting. The Laboratory Services department has a variety of specialties and areas. For more information about any of our job openings, contact Jeff Bush, Enterprise Director at Jeffery.Bush1@uky.edu.
IMPORTANT: Resumes and CVs cannot be substituted for a completed application. Incomplete applications could disqualify you from being considered for this position. To be considered for this position you must fully complete the online application being sure to only put one (1) job title for each entry (multiple job titles for one employer must have separate entries), the # of hours worked per week and your ending salary. All job titles and dates must correspond with those appearing on your resume.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities:
Experience in handling patient specimens and performing complex testing and analysis. Possesses ability to organize/prioritize work assignments and work independently. Multitasking, computer skills, customer service, troubleshooting, attention to detail.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience:
Three or more years of experience in a clinical laboratory preferred. Knowledge of hematology, immunology, and/or blood banking, including processing and/or cryopreservation concepts and practices preferred.
Deadline to Apply: 06/11/2026
Our University Community:
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Scientist Job Roles in Kentucky
See all Scientist Jobs in Kentucky
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Scientist Jobs in KentuckyScientist Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for scientists in Kentucky?
Kentucky's primary visa-sponsoring employers for scientists include the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and their affiliated research institutes. In the private sector, companies like Ashland Global Holdings, Lexmark, and various pharmaceutical and agricultural biotech firms in the Lexington and Louisville corridors have histories of sponsoring H-1B workers in research and laboratory roles. Federal contractors tied to defense and materials science also appear in sponsorship filings.
Which visa types are most common for scientist roles in Kentucky?
The H-1B is the most common visa for scientists in Kentucky, covering roles where a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific scientific field is a standard requirement, such as chemists, biologists, and materials scientists. The O-1A is an alternative for scientists with demonstrated exceptional achievement, such as published research or significant industry awards. University-affiliated scientists may also come through J-1 visa exchange visitor programs for postdoctoral or research positions.
Which cities in Kentucky have the most scientist sponsorship jobs?
Lexington and Louisville account for the large majority of scientist visa sponsorship activity in Kentucky. Lexington is home to the University of Kentucky and a growing life sciences cluster, while Louisville hosts the University of Louisville's health sciences campus and a concentration of manufacturing and chemical research employers. Bowling Green and Richmond have smaller but active research presences tied to Western Kentucky University and Eastern Kentucky University respectively.
How to find scientist visa sponsorship jobs in Kentucky?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international job seekers and filters scientist roles in Kentucky by employers with visa sponsorship histories. Rather than sorting through general job listings, Migrate Mate surfaces positions from companies that have sponsored H-1B and other work visas in research and scientific fields. Focusing your search there saves time and connects you directly with Kentucky employers who are open to sponsoring international candidates.
Are there state-specific factors that affect scientist sponsorship in Kentucky?
Kentucky's scientist job market is heavily influenced by its university research infrastructure and agriculture-adjacent industries, including plant science, food science, and environmental research tied to the state's farming economy. The Department of Labor's prevailing wage determinations for scientific roles in Kentucky reflect regional cost of living, so offered wages may differ from those in coastal markets. Scientists in federally funded university roles should also be aware that grant-dependent positions can affect sponsorship continuity.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored scientist jobs in Kentucky?
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.