Research Assistant Visa Sponsorship Jobs in New Mexico
Research assistant visa sponsorship jobs in New Mexico are concentrated at major research institutions like the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, and Sandia National Laboratories. The state's strong presence in federal research, energy science, and public health creates steady demand for sponsored research roles across multiple disciplines.
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Assistant Vice President for Research
Posting Number req38030
Employment Type Faculty
Faculty Type Research
Hiring Department VP Resrch & Econ Devlpmnt VPRED (798A)
Academic Location Vice President for Research
Campus Main - Albuquerque, NM
Benefits Eligible The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for more information.
Position Summary
The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) invites applications for the position of Assistant Vice President for Research Infrastructure, reporting directly to the Vice President for Research (VPR) and will be an associate or full research professor determined by the individual's research background. The Assistant Vice President for Research serves as senior advisor to the VPR regarding strategic development and stewardship of UNM’s research enterprise, including participating in strategic planning and management of OVPR Category 3 center and institute assets. The portfolio includes responsibility for the areas within the OVPR listed below. This is a 12-month position, subject to review and renewal on an annual basis. The final FTE of the Assistant VPR role will be negotiated to accommodate candidates who choose to maintain an active research portfolio.
Areas of responsibility for this position include:
Research Facilities and Core Facilities (30%)
- Provide executive oversight for university research infrastructure, including shared instrumentation, core facilities, laboratories, and specialized research centers, including developing strategic plans for the growth, modernization, and sustainability of research facilities to support current and emerging research needs.
- Promote shared-resource models that maximize utilization, foster interdisciplinary research, and enhance competitiveness for external funding, including establishing policies (e.g., facilities use agreements), governance structures, and operational standards that promote excellence, accessibility, compliance, and efficient and effective utilization of research resources by both internal researchers and external partners.
- Collaborate with facility directors, faculty, and university leadership to prioritize investments in research equipment, technology, and infrastructure.
- Oversee the financial management and business operations of core facilities, including budgeting, cost recovery models, and long-term sustainability planning.
- Represent research infrastructure priorities in institutional planning efforts and advocate for investments that advance the university's research mission.
National Laboratory and Industry User Facility and Shared Research Infrastructure Management (25%)
- Serve as the university's primary research facilities liaison to Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and other federal research laboratories to strengthen research-based strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives.
- Promote coordination of research facilities at national laboratories, including user facilities (i.e. CINT, Quantum Demonstration Facility, and CAMINO), and UNM research facilities, including user facilities (i.e. CHTM, CMEM, and ARTsLab), to maximize research and training effectiveness and reduce duplication of regional resources.
- Promote and coordinate utilization of UNM research facilities by private partners, including regional industry and start-ups to maximize utilization of facilities and their sustainability.
- Work with the OVPR’s Office of Research, Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (ORTIP) to identify and advance opportunities to enhance the university’s role in addressing national and regional priorities through external partnerships (national labs, industry), faculty engagement with national laboratory research programs, user facilities, and funding initiatives, and trainee experiences, fellowships, and career pathways.
- Monitor federal research and laboratory initiatives to identify emerging opportunities that align with institutional strengths and strategic priorities and coordinate institutional participation in such initiatives as laboratory-sponsored research programs, educational initiatives, and regional innovation partnerships.
- Work with university and laboratory leadership to foster relationships that advance the university's research, education, and workforce development missions through agreements, frameworks, and strategic initiatives that expand collaborative research and innovation activities.
Faculty, Postdoctoral Scholar, and Graduate Student Success Programs (40%)
- Provide strategic leadership, oversight, and assessment for faculty, staff, and student success initiatives and recognition (e.g., research awards) initiatives that support research excellence, including the WeR1 Faculty Success Program, the Zancada Graduate Fellowship Program, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA), and the STEM-H Center (joint with HSC).
- Collaborate with the Faculty Research Development Office (FRDO), UNM ADVANCE, and Academic Affairs to develop and implement research-focused programs that enhance faculty research development, mentoring, scholarly productivity, external funding competitiveness, and engagement with UNM’s research infrastructure and partnerships.
- Lead initiatives that promote and expand undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral participation in research, experiential learning, and career development opportunities.
- Partner with academic leaders, faculty, and administrative units to align faculty and student success programs with institutional strategic priorities and serve as a resource regarding national laboratory partnerships for UNM researchers.
- Collaborate with the Faculty Research Development Office (FRDO) to identify and pursue external funding opportunities to sustain and expand faculty development, graduate student, and postdoctoral success programs.
Leadership and Strategic Engagement (5%)
- Serve as an OVPR executive team member and senior advisor to the Vice President for Research on faculty success, student research engagement, national laboratory partnerships, and research infrastructure strategy.
- Work with the VPR and the AVP for External Relations to build and maintain partnerships with academic units, government agencies, industry partners, and community stakeholders to advance research and workforce development goals.
- Lead cross-functional teams and committees focused on enhancing the university's research ecosystem/infrastructure and institutional impact.
- Champion a culture of innovation, collaboration, inclusion, and operational excellence across faculty development, student success, and research support programs.
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Earned doctorate in a research-intensive field from an accredited institution.
- Minimum of 10 years of combined active research experience as principal investigator and/or in leadership or oversight roles supporting research operations at a large public or private academic/research institution.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Significant experience leading one or more aspects of research administration at a university or research institution.
- Experience in establishing, running, and/or overseeing research facilities and core facilities.
- Broad experience working across multiple sectors and/or disciplines to develop successful research-focused partnerships.
- A record of successful collaboration with national laboratories, consortia, and/or industry partners in a research environment.
- Commitment to effectively cultivating discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship among faculty, staff, and students.
- Excellent and proven administrative and managerial skills, including leadership and team building, and strong interpersonal skills, including successful conflict resolution.
- Established track record procuring external funding as appropriate to candidate’s field.
- Excellent written communication, oral communication, and presentation skills across disciplines, sectors, and communities.
- A demonstrated commitment to cultivate an understanding of the rich and varied cultures of New Mexico and to the success of the university's mission to serve local and global communities.
Application Instructions
Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.
Completed applications must include a letter of interest describing qualifications for the position, current curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of at least three professional references.
Applicants who are appointed to a UNM faculty position are required to provide an official certification of successful completion of all degree requirements prior to their initial employment with UNM.
For Best Consideration
For best consideration, please apply by 10/26/2026. This position will remain open until filled.
The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.
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Research Assistant Job Roles in New Mexico
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Search Research Assistant Jobs in New MexicoResearch Assistant Jobs in New Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies and institutions sponsor visas for research assistants in New Mexico?
The primary sponsors for research assistant roles in New Mexico are universities and federal research facilities. The University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, and New Mexico Tech regularly sponsor H-1B visa and J-1 visas for research positions. Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory also sponsor research staff, particularly in physical sciences, engineering, and computational research.
Which visa types are most common for research assistant roles in New Mexico?
J-1 and H-1B visas are the most common for research assistants in New Mexico. J-1 research scholar or student categories are widely used by universities for short- to medium-term research positions. H-1B petitions are more common for longer-term or full-time roles at universities and national laboratories. F-1 OPT can cover research assistant positions during post-graduation work authorization periods.
Which cities in New Mexico have the most research assistant visa sponsorship jobs?
Albuquerque has the highest concentration of research assistant sponsorship opportunities, driven by the University of New Mexico and Sandia National Laboratories. Las Cruces is a secondary hub through New Mexico State University. Socorro, home to New Mexico Tech, offers research positions particularly in earth sciences and engineering. These three cities account for the majority of sponsored research assistant roles in the state.
How to find research assistant visa sponsorship jobs in New Mexico?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it easier to identify research assistant roles in New Mexico without sorting through positions that don't offer sponsorship. You can browse by state and role to surface openings at institutions like the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, and national laboratories that actively hire and sponsor international research staff.
Are there any state-specific considerations for research assistants pursuing visa sponsorship in New Mexico?
New Mexico's research employment is heavily tied to federal funding through agencies like the Department of Energy and NIH, which influences sponsorship timelines and role availability. National laboratories such as Los Alamos and Sandia operate under federal contractor rules, which can affect certain visa categories and security clearance eligibility for international candidates. University positions generally follow standard H-1B and J-1 sponsorship processes without those restrictions.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research assistant jobs in New Mexico?
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.