Laboratory Research Assistant Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Maine
Laboratory research assistant visa sponsorship jobs in Maine are concentrated at research universities and biomedical institutions, with the University of Maine system, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, and Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor among the most active employers. Portland, Orono, and Bar Harbor anchor the state's science hiring, drawing candidates with degrees in biology, chemistry, and related STEM fields.
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Job Summary
Rare diseases affect millions of people, yet most have no approved treatments. The Rare Disease Translational Center (RDTC) at The Jackson Laboratory is working to change that by building clinically relevant mouse models and using them to test the therapies that could reach patients next, including emerging approaches such as gene therapy and RNA-based treatments. We’re looking for a motivated, detail-oriented full-time Research Assistant to join our team in Bar Harbor, Maine.
In this role, you’ll help characterize how disease unfolds in our models and generate the high-quality data that drives preclinical studies. You’ll work across a connected set of phenotyping and molecular workflows, including tissue collection, histology, microscopy and quantitative image analysis, molecular assays, and the omics approaches, such as RNA-seq and proteomics, that help us understand disease mechanisms and treatment response. You’ll own defined workstreams from start to finish and see how your work feeds directly into translational decisions. This is a strong fit for someone with hands-on laboratory experience who is ready for more responsibility and wants to deepen their skills in molecular biology, phenotyping, and rare disease research.
The Rare Disease Translational Center supports the overall mission of The Jackson Laboratory: To discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health. The RDTC works directly with foundations and their associated teams of basic and clinical researchers to generate custom mouse and cell-based/in vitro models with clinical mutations to treat and cure rare diseases. This position is an exciting opportunity to work directly with the Center in supporting this mission.
Key Responsibilities (What you contribute)
- Troubleshoots issues in research procedures, adjusts techniques or quality-control measures, and identifies when methods require refinement.
- Reviews and maintains research documentation, contributing to updates in methodology and collaborating with team members as needed.
- Manages laboratory resources, including inventory, equipment, and workspace coordination.
- Shares research knowledge by demonstrating procedures and assisting in training.
- Performs assigned research tasks using established experimental methods, equipment, data collection tools, and analytical techniques.
- Organizes, analyzes, and summarizes research data using scientific and statistical tools.
- Contributes to the preparation of manuscripts, reports, presentations, and grant materials.
- Conducts multiple experiments and maintains associated equipment, ensuring clear and timely communication of results.
- Demonstrates comprehensive mouse handling and husbandry skills to support research operations.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (You're good at)
- Comprehensive mouse handling and husbandry skills required
- Demonstrated ability in development of research protocols
- Demonstrated success in coordinating and/or conducting multiple, concurrent assignments or a multi-faceted project
- Ability to interact with all individuals in a productive, professional and positive manner to enhance the outcome of the goals of the research program
- Established understanding of good lab safety practices and a demonstrated history of lab safe conduct
- Self-motivated with the ability to organize time effectively, demonstrated ability to manage details
- Advanced computer skills, ability to develop technical documents and presentations
- Demonstrated team player with professional, positive attitude and willingness to be flexible
- Ability to work flexible shifts (evening/week-end/holiday)
- Regular, reliable and consistent attendance
Minimum Requirements
Educational Requirements: Bachelor's required/ Bachelor's preferred
Experience Requirements: 2 years required; 4 years preferred
Supervisory: None
Pay Range: $42,751 - $71,575, pay is determined by experience
About JAX:
The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California, New York, Florida), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.
Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community.
EEO Statement:
The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.
Laboratory Research Assistant Job Roles in Maine
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Search Laboratory Research Assistant Jobs in MaineLaboratory Research Assistant Jobs in Maine: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for laboratory research assistants in Maine?
Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor is one of Maine's most prominent sponsors for laboratory research roles, given its scale in mammalian genetics and genomics research. Maine Medical Center Research Institute in Portland and the University of Maine system in Orono also have established sponsorship records. These institutions regularly support H-1B visa petitions and, for qualifying international students, STEM OPT training plans for research assistant positions.
Which visa types realistically fit laboratory research assistant roles in Maine?
H-1B is the primary option for laboratory research assistants when the role requires a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as biology, biochemistry, or chemistry. F-1 students may work under OPT or, if their degree is STEM-designated, a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify for TN visa status under the Research Assistant category, but only when employed at a post-secondary educational institution. J-1 visa is available through designated exchange sponsor organizations for research roles.
Which cities in Maine have the most laboratory research assistant sponsorship jobs?
Bar Harbor concentrates a disproportionate share of Maine's research assistant sponsorship activity due to Jackson Laboratory's large scientific workforce. Orono supports positions through the University of Maine, which houses multiple research centers in life sciences and environmental science. Portland is home to Maine Medical Center Research Institute and several biotechnology-adjacent employers. These three locations account for the majority of documented visa sponsorship filings for laboratory research roles across the state.
How to find laboratory research assistant visa sponsorship jobs in Maine?
Migrate Mate lists Maine employers with verified visa sponsorship history for laboratory research assistant roles, so you can focus on institutions that have already filed for positions like yours. Filtering by role and location on Migrate Mate surfaces active openings at research universities, medical research institutes, and life sciences organizations across Bar Harbor, Orono, and Portland, saving time compared to reviewing employer histories manually.
Are there any state-specific considerations for laboratory research assistants seeking visa sponsorship in Maine?
Maine's research sector is heavily anchored in academic and nonprofit institutions rather than commercial biotech, which affects sponsorship patterns. Nonprofit and university employers are often cap-exempt for H-1B purposes, meaning petitions can be filed outside the annual cap and lottery. Jackson Laboratory, as a nonprofit research institution, falls into this category. Candidates targeting Maine should prioritize institutions with established international hiring pipelines, as smaller private labs may have limited prior sponsorship experience.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored laboratory research assistant jobs in Maine?
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.