Research Scientist Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan
Michigan's research scientist roles are concentrated in life sciences, automotive R&D, and university-affiliated labs. Major employers like Pfizer's Kalamazoo operations, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan State University in East Lansing, and Ford's research division in Dearborn regularly sponsor international researchers across H-1B and O-1 visa categories.
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Company Overview
KLA is a global leader in diversified electronics for the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. Virtually every electronic device in the world is produced using our technologies. No laptop, smartphone, wearable device, voice-controlled gadget, flexible screen, VR device or smart car would have made it into your hands without us. KLA invents systems and solutions for the manufacturing of wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. The innovative ideas and devices that are advancing humanity all begin with inspiration, research and development. KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world’s leading technology providers to accelerate the delivery of tomorrow’s electronic devices. Life here is exciting and our teams thrive on tackling really hard problems. There is never a dull moment with us.
Group/Division
With over 40 years of semiconductor process control experience, chipmakers around the globe rely on KLA to ensure that their fabs ramp next-generation devices to volume production quickly and cost-effectively. Enabling the movement towards advanced chip design, KLA's Global Products Group (GPG), which is responsible for creating all of KLA’s metrology and inspection products, is looking for the best and the brightest research scientist, software engineers, application development engineers, and senior product technology process engineers. Central Engineering is KLA's largest engineering organization comprised of 9 Centers-of-Excellence (CoE) in various disciplines applied across all product groups in the company. These CoE include Handling & Automation, Precision Motion Control, Sensors & Image Acquisition, Platform Design, and Packaging Engineering, among others. Talent includes over 500 engineers across global centers in Israel, China, India, and the US. Each CoE contributes not just talent and deliverables per discipline toward product programs, but also subject matter expertise, best practices, roadmaps, specialized facilities, apparatus, models, and analytics. These differentiate KLA not only in WHAT we do, but also in HOW we do it.
Job Description/Preferred Qualifications
KLA physics modeling group at Ann-Arbor, Michigan, is looking for talented research scientists and engineers to join the plasma and gas-thermal modeling team. The ideal candidate has a strong computational background in plasma and atomic physics. Relevant experience should include experience in some of these areas and a good intuition about the physical processes being modeled. Especially important is the ability to work with the other R&D and engineering teams to define modeling plans that explore the potential design space for implementation in future.
Responsibilities in this role include:
- Main responsibilities will be developing and managing plasma physics modeling SW for next gen plasma light source development
- Work in a group environment to define and own modeling strategies and lead development
- Interface with engineering and R&D teams to understand requirements
- Provide effective presentation and written evaluations to internal customers to show capabilities, concepts and development plans
- This candidate must work closely with other internal development programs within KLA to lead development, testing & capability deployment
Qualifications
- Doctorate (Academic) in the physical sciences or engineering with at least 2 years of experience
- Hands-on experience designing, developing, modifying and diagnosing complex algorithms for plasma physics applications
- Strong background in theory and application of plasma and atomic physics.
- Strong background in computer programming, especially in performance profiling, memory optimization, and parallel computing. Experience with GPU programming is a strong plus
- Responsible working attitude and should be a team player. Previous experience with instruments for semiconductor industry is desired. Ability to clearly connect with cross functional internal teams, both oral and written, division management, as well as external customers.
- Must be able to travel for training and to support development teams in different locations.
Minimum Qualifications
Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years
Base Pay Range:
$105,900.00 - $180,000.00 Annually
Primary Location:
USA-MI-Ann Arbor-KLA
KLA’s total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.
Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at talent.acquisition@kla.com or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.
Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA. Please ensure that you have searched KLA’s Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to talent.acquisition@kla.com to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.

Company Overview
KLA is a global leader in diversified electronics for the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. Virtually every electronic device in the world is produced using our technologies. No laptop, smartphone, wearable device, voice-controlled gadget, flexible screen, VR device or smart car would have made it into your hands without us. KLA invents systems and solutions for the manufacturing of wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. The innovative ideas and devices that are advancing humanity all begin with inspiration, research and development. KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world’s leading technology providers to accelerate the delivery of tomorrow’s electronic devices. Life here is exciting and our teams thrive on tackling really hard problems. There is never a dull moment with us.
Group/Division
With over 40 years of semiconductor process control experience, chipmakers around the globe rely on KLA to ensure that their fabs ramp next-generation devices to volume production quickly and cost-effectively. Enabling the movement towards advanced chip design, KLA's Global Products Group (GPG), which is responsible for creating all of KLA’s metrology and inspection products, is looking for the best and the brightest research scientist, software engineers, application development engineers, and senior product technology process engineers. Central Engineering is KLA's largest engineering organization comprised of 9 Centers-of-Excellence (CoE) in various disciplines applied across all product groups in the company. These CoE include Handling & Automation, Precision Motion Control, Sensors & Image Acquisition, Platform Design, and Packaging Engineering, among others. Talent includes over 500 engineers across global centers in Israel, China, India, and the US. Each CoE contributes not just talent and deliverables per discipline toward product programs, but also subject matter expertise, best practices, roadmaps, specialized facilities, apparatus, models, and analytics. These differentiate KLA not only in WHAT we do, but also in HOW we do it.
Job Description/Preferred Qualifications
KLA physics modeling group at Ann-Arbor, Michigan, is looking for talented research scientists and engineers to join the plasma and gas-thermal modeling team. The ideal candidate has a strong computational background in plasma and atomic physics. Relevant experience should include experience in some of these areas and a good intuition about the physical processes being modeled. Especially important is the ability to work with the other R&D and engineering teams to define modeling plans that explore the potential design space for implementation in future.
Responsibilities in this role include:
- Main responsibilities will be developing and managing plasma physics modeling SW for next gen plasma light source development
- Work in a group environment to define and own modeling strategies and lead development
- Interface with engineering and R&D teams to understand requirements
- Provide effective presentation and written evaluations to internal customers to show capabilities, concepts and development plans
- This candidate must work closely with other internal development programs within KLA to lead development, testing & capability deployment
Qualifications
- Doctorate (Academic) in the physical sciences or engineering with at least 2 years of experience
- Hands-on experience designing, developing, modifying and diagnosing complex algorithms for plasma physics applications
- Strong background in theory and application of plasma and atomic physics.
- Strong background in computer programming, especially in performance profiling, memory optimization, and parallel computing. Experience with GPU programming is a strong plus
- Responsible working attitude and should be a team player. Previous experience with instruments for semiconductor industry is desired. Ability to clearly connect with cross functional internal teams, both oral and written, division management, as well as external customers.
- Must be able to travel for training and to support development teams in different locations.
Minimum Qualifications
Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years
Base Pay Range:
$105,900.00 - $180,000.00 Annually
Primary Location:
USA-MI-Ann Arbor-KLA
KLA’s total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.
Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at talent.acquisition@kla.com or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.
Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA. Please ensure that you have searched KLA’s Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to talent.acquisition@kla.com to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.
Research Scientist Job Roles in Michigan
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Search Research Scientist Jobs in MichiganResearch Scientist Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for research scientists in Michigan?
University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, Pfizer (Kalamazoo), Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Kalamazoo-based pharmaceutical firms are among the most active sponsors for research scientist roles in Michigan. Large research universities and pharmaceutical manufacturers tend to have established immigration infrastructure and sponsor H-1B petitions regularly for qualified candidates.
Which visa types are most common for research scientist roles in Michigan?
The H-1B is the most common visa for research scientists in Michigan, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. Researchers with exceptional achievements may pursue the O-1A. J-1 visas are common for postdoctoral researchers at universities, though they come with exchange visitor obligations that differ from employment-based categories.
Which cities in Michigan have the most research scientist sponsorship jobs?
Ann Arbor leads Michigan for research scientist sponsorship jobs, driven by the University of Michigan and its affiliated research institutes. East Lansing follows through Michigan State University. Kalamazoo is notable for pharmaceutical research tied to Pfizer and Stryker. Detroit and Dearborn offer opportunities in automotive R&D at Ford and General Motors, particularly for materials scientists and engineers.
How to find research scientist visa sponsorship jobs in Michigan?
Migrate Mate filters research scientist jobs specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it straightforward to identify Michigan employers actively hiring international candidates. You can filter by state and role to surface relevant openings at universities, pharmaceutical companies, and automotive R&D centers. Checking employer sponsorship history before applying helps prioritize roles where the hiring process is already set up for visa support.
Are there any state-specific considerations for research scientists seeking sponsorship in Michigan?
Michigan's concentration of Big Ten research universities creates a strong pipeline for international researchers, particularly at the postdoctoral level where J-1 status is common before transitioning to H-1B. The pharmaceutical corridor around Kalamazoo and the automotive R&D presence in metro Detroit mean sponsorship patterns vary by industry. Employers in academic medical centers, such as Michigan Medicine, often have dedicated immigration teams familiar with research scientist petitions.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research scientist 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.
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