Research Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan
Research visa sponsorship jobs in Michigan are concentrated at institutions like the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and major health systems including Henry Ford Health and Spectrum Health. Ann Arbor, East Lansing, and Detroit anchor most hiring activity, with strong demand across biomedical, engineering, and social science research disciplines.
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INTRODUCTION
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Librarian I/II, Legal Research, University Library System at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Position Purpose:
The Arthur Neef Law Library welcomes qualified applicants to apply for our Legal Research Librarian positions. Join an experienced, highly skilled library staff that serves the Wayne State University Law School and the local community. The Neef Law Library is in Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood, on Wayne State's main campus. These are both full-time positions reporting to the Law Library director. The Neef Law Library is part of the Wayne State University Library System.
Essential Functions:
Reference:
- Serves as members of the Law Library's reference team, providing skillful in-person services at the Reference Desk and remotely via phone, email, and online question intake systems.
- Creates and updates online research guides to support Wayne Law’s curriculum and instruct on researching special topics within the law.
Faculty Research Support:
- Provides significant, in-depth research support to Law School faculty, departments, and administrators as liaison librarians.
- Provides in-person and remote research consultations and project planning with faculty and student research assistants.
- Assists faculty with requests for articles, books, and electronic resources to support their scholarship, classroom preparation, and professional development.
Instruction:
- Creates and delivers online and in-person instruction sessions and guest lectures on a variety of legal research topics.
- Collaborates on special library instruction projects with librarians and faculty members.
Professional and Collection Development:
- With other Law Librarians, identifies, assesses, selects, and recommends purchases and withdrawal of materials in Law and Legal Research subject areas of the WSU Library System.
- Contributes to teams and committees by planning, evaluating, assessing, marketing, and implementing legal research services, resources, and technologies.
- Participates in library and university committees to carry out professional development, scholarly, and service activities.
- Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- M.L.I.S. (or equivalent) degree from an ALA-accredited program.
- Degrees must be completed prior to the candidates’ starting date of employment.
- Demonstrated commitment to providing high-quality reference and research service to patrons.
- Significant experience performing legal research in an academic, government, or law firm setting.
- Knowledge of legal bibliography, legal research methods, and the legal information profession.
- Ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively to promote teamwork, equality at Wayne State University.
- Excellent interpersonal and oral/written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational, time, and project management skills, including the ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a diverse, dynamic environment.
Appointment/Benefits/Salary:
The position is a full-time, regular, 12-month, benefits-eligible appointment as Academic Staff, represented by the AAUP-AFT Local 6075 on an Employment Security Status track.
The starting salary for Librarian I is $65,000 and the starting salary for a Librarian II is $68,000. Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, employee/dependent life and long-term disability insurance, retirement savings plans with Fidelity, TIAA/CREF, tuition assistance, and generous paid time off including twenty-two vacation days per year plus University holidays.
To Apply:
Submit electronically a complete application and include a detailed letter of interest, resume and three professional references to Wayne State’s online system at: https://hr.wayne.edu/jobs, position requisition #XXXX by September 1, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.
Nominations or questions regarding this position may be directed via email to Search Committee Chair, Lesliediana Jones, Director and Assistant Professor, LesliedianaJones@wayne.edu.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Two or more years of previous experience working in an academic law library or other law library.
- Evidence of strong instructional skills and previous legal research teaching experience.
- Knowledge of and proficiency with Michigan legal information resources.
- Knowledge of current legal- and library-relevant technology applications, including LibGuides.
- Experience planning, designing, and providing legal research instruction presentations or classes.
- Experience in effectively integrating new technology relating to information literacy, legal education, legal practice, and library services.
- Member of State Bar of Michigan or other state bar association.
School/College/Division:
H01 - University Libraries
Primary Department:
H0109 - Neef Law Library
Employment Type:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Full Time
- Job category: Academic/Faculty
Funding/Salary Information:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
- Salary minimum: $65,000
Working Conditions:
Normal office environment.
Job openings:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: Yes
- Reposted reason: Supercedes Previous Requisition
- Prior posting/requisition number: REQ 3016
Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
Research Job Roles in Michigan
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Search Research Jobs in MichiganResearch Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies and institutions sponsor visas for research roles in Michigan?
The University of Michigan and Michigan State University are among the most active sponsors for research positions in the state, regularly filing H-1B visa petitions for postdoctoral researchers, research scientists, and laboratory staff. Large health systems including Henry Ford Health and Spectrum Health also sponsor research roles. Beyond academia and healthcare, companies like Dow Chemical, Kellogg, and automotive technology firms in the Detroit metro sponsor applied research positions.
Which visa types are most common for research jobs in Michigan?
The H-1B is the most common work visa for research roles in Michigan, particularly at universities, research hospitals, and private-sector R&D departments. Universities and nonprofit research organizations often qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, meaning they can file petitions year-round outside the annual lottery. J-1 visas are also widely used at Michigan universities for research scholars and postdoctoral fellows. O-1 visas appear less frequently but apply to researchers with a distinguished publication or award record.
Which cities in Michigan have the most research visa sponsorship jobs?
Ann Arbor leads Michigan for research sponsorship volume, driven by the University of Michigan and its affiliated medical center. East Lansing is the next most active market, centered on Michigan State University and its research institutes. Detroit and its suburbs, including Dearborn and Warren, offer opportunities in automotive R&D and applied sciences. Grand Rapids has a growing presence in medical research tied to institutions like Van Andel Institute and Corewell Health.
How to find research visa sponsorship jobs in Michigan?
Migrate Mate is designed specifically for international job seekers and filters research roles in Michigan by visa sponsorship availability, so you are not sifting through listings where sponsorship is unclear. On Migrate Mate, you can narrow by research discipline, employer type, and location within Michigan. University-affiliated roles and health system positions tend to have the clearest sponsorship histories, making them a practical starting point when filtering results.
Are there any Michigan-specific considerations for research visa sponsorship?
Michigan's high concentration of cap-exempt employers, particularly its major public research universities and affiliated nonprofit medical centers, is a meaningful advantage for international researchers. Cap-exempt organizations can file H-1B petitions at any point during the year rather than waiting for the April lottery window. Michigan also has active J-1 exchange visitor programs administered through university international offices, which can serve as a pathway into longer-term sponsored research positions.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research jobs in Michigan?
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.