Laboratory Research Assistant Visa Sponsorship Jobs in North Carolina
Laboratory research assistant visa sponsorship jobs in North Carolina are concentrated at major research universities and life sciences employers, including UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University, NC State, and the biotech corridor spanning Research Triangle Park. Cities like Durham, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh anchor most openings, with additional opportunities at pharmaceutical and contract research organizations across the state.
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Get Access To All JobsDepartment VC for Res-620100
Career Area Other
Posting Open Date 11/06/2026
Application Deadline 11/20/2026
Open Until Filled No
Position Type Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
Working Title Assistant Vice Chancellor, Research Business Operations
Appointment Type EHRA Non-Faculty
Position Number 01001287
Vacancy ID NF0010182
Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Permanent
FTE 1
Hours per week 40
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range Dependent on Qualifications
Proposed Start Date 01/04/2027
Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) oversees, develops, supports, and grows UNC-Chapel Hill’s $1.6 billion research enterprise. The offices reporting to the OVCR set strategic priorities for research, manage proposals and awards, provide research infrastructure, identify funding opportunities, develop research teams and partnerships, oversee regulatory compliance, and communicate the impact and value of the University’s research enterprise. The OVCR enables research endeavors for faculty, students, and scholars; encourages interdisciplinary research collaboration across campus; and fosters expansion and diversification of the University’s sponsored research portfolio by collaborating with foundations, federal agencies, corporations, and the state and federal governments. The Vice Chancellor for Research also oversees multiple pan-University, multidisciplinary research centers and institutes.
Position Summary
UNC’s Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) supports a research enterprise approximately $1.6 billion in total research activity. The Assistant Vice Chancellor, Research Business Operations (AVC-RBO) provides senior leadership for the financial and operational infrastructure that supports this enterprise, including Research Finance and Business Operations, Research Human Resources, the Office of Research Information Systems, and Research Space Planning. The position reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Operations, Protections, and Security, with dotted line to the Vice Chancellor for Research, and works closely with OVCR senior leaders, and University partners to align business operations with institutional research priorities.
The AVC-RBO develops and maintains the multi-year financial forecast for the research enterprise, including projected sponsored funding growth, indirect cost recovery, workforce and space needs, and capital investment requirements. The role provides leadership for F&A strategy, rate development and negotiation, resource-allocation modeling, data analytics, and business intelligence, and builds the financial and resource cases supporting major research investments. The position also partners with OVCR’s revenue-generating units and affiliated centers and institutes to provide financial modeling and sustainability analysis supporting research growth.
The AVC-RBO has line authority over Research Finance and Business Operations, Research Human Resources, the Office of Research Information Systems, and Research Space Planning, including supervision and development of the leaders responsible for those functions. Day-to-day transactional and operational responsibilities remain with the respective functional leaders; the AVC-RBO establishes strategic direction, priorities, performance expectations, and the financial and operational framework within which those functions operate.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Relevant post-baccalaureate degree: relevant undergraduate degree with 5-7 years of related professional experience may be substituted for the advanced degree.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
The successful candidate will be a person of high personal integrity, exhibit a strong commitment to service, and demonstrate a broad understanding of the role of research at a modern university. The successful candidate will have eight or more years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, business operations, or related functions within a large, complex organization, including significant leadership responsibility for multi-year financial planning, budgeting, resource modeling, or comparable enterprise-level business functions. The successful candidate will have strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities; excellent written and oral communication skills; demonstrated ability to present financial models and resource cases to senior leadership; and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. Significant experience with budget development and management, project management, team leadership, data analytics, and business intelligence is also required.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Experience with indirect cost recovery (F&A) rate development and negotiation, higher education or federal research finance, and enterprise resource planning systems is strongly preferred. Experience in a major research university, academic health system, or similarly complex research environment is preferred. Experience representing an institution in federal or multi-institutional policy settings is desirable. An advanced degree in business, finance, public administration, or a related field, or an equivalent professional certification (e.g., CPA, MBA), is preferred.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.
Department VC for Res-620100
Career Area Other
Posting Open Date 11/06/2026
Application Deadline 11/20/2026
Open Until Filled No
Position Type Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
Working Title Assistant Vice Chancellor, Research Business Operations
Appointment Type EHRA Non-Faculty
Position Number 01001287
Vacancy ID NF0010182
Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Permanent
FTE 1
Hours per week 40
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range Dependent on Qualifications
Proposed Start Date 01/04/2027
Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) oversees, develops, supports, and grows UNC-Chapel Hill’s $1.6 billion research enterprise. The offices reporting to the OVCR set strategic priorities for research, manage proposals and awards, provide research infrastructure, identify funding opportunities, develop research teams and partnerships, oversee regulatory compliance, and communicate the impact and value of the University’s research enterprise. The OVCR enables research endeavors for faculty, students, and scholars; encourages interdisciplinary research collaboration across campus; and fosters expansion and diversification of the University’s sponsored research portfolio by collaborating with foundations, federal agencies, corporations, and the state and federal governments. The Vice Chancellor for Research also oversees multiple pan-University, multidisciplinary research centers and institutes.
Position Summary
UNC’s Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) supports a research enterprise approximately $1.6 billion in total research activity. The Assistant Vice Chancellor, Research Business Operations (AVC-RBO) provides senior leadership for the financial and operational infrastructure that supports this enterprise, including Research Finance and Business Operations, Research Human Resources, the Office of Research Information Systems, and Research Space Planning. The position reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Operations, Protections, and Security, with dotted line to the Vice Chancellor for Research, and works closely with OVCR senior leaders, and University partners to align business operations with institutional research priorities.
The AVC-RBO develops and maintains the multi-year financial forecast for the research enterprise, including projected sponsored funding growth, indirect cost recovery, workforce and space needs, and capital investment requirements. The role provides leadership for F&A strategy, rate development and negotiation, resource-allocation modeling, data analytics, and business intelligence, and builds the financial and resource cases supporting major research investments. The position also partners with OVCR’s revenue-generating units and affiliated centers and institutes to provide financial modeling and sustainability analysis supporting research growth.
The AVC-RBO has line authority over Research Finance and Business Operations, Research Human Resources, the Office of Research Information Systems, and Research Space Planning, including supervision and development of the leaders responsible for those functions. Day-to-day transactional and operational responsibilities remain with the respective functional leaders; the AVC-RBO establishes strategic direction, priorities, performance expectations, and the financial and operational framework within which those functions operate.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Relevant post-baccalaureate degree: relevant undergraduate degree with 5-7 years of related professional experience may be substituted for the advanced degree.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
The successful candidate will be a person of high personal integrity, exhibit a strong commitment to service, and demonstrate a broad understanding of the role of research at a modern university. The successful candidate will have eight or more years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, business operations, or related functions within a large, complex organization, including significant leadership responsibility for multi-year financial planning, budgeting, resource modeling, or comparable enterprise-level business functions. The successful candidate will have strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities; excellent written and oral communication skills; demonstrated ability to present financial models and resource cases to senior leadership; and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. Significant experience with budget development and management, project management, team leadership, data analytics, and business intelligence is also required.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Experience with indirect cost recovery (F&A) rate development and negotiation, higher education or federal research finance, and enterprise resource planning systems is strongly preferred. Experience in a major research university, academic health system, or similarly complex research environment is preferred. Experience representing an institution in federal or multi-institutional policy settings is desirable. An advanced degree in business, finance, public administration, or a related field, or an equivalent professional certification (e.g., CPA, MBA), is preferred.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.
Laboratory Research Assistant Job Roles in North Carolina
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Search Laboratory Research Assistant Jobs in North CarolinaLaboratory Research Assistant Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for laboratory research assistants in North Carolina?
North Carolina's leading visa sponsors for laboratory research assistants include major research universities such as UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University, and NC State University, which regularly file for research staff. Life sciences and pharmaceutical employers concentrated in Research Triangle Park, including Biogen, Novo Nordisk, and GlaxoSmithKline, also sponsor positions. Contract research organizations operating in the Durham and Raleigh area round out the sponsoring employer pool.
Which visa types realistically fit laboratory research assistant roles in North Carolina?
F-1 students can work as laboratory research assistants through OPT or CPT if the role relates to their field of study. Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify for TN visa status, but only when the position is at a post-secondary educational institution and the duties fit the USMCA Research Assistant classification. H-1B visa is an option if the role qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a directly related bachelor's degree. J-1 visa is available through a designated sponsor organization for research or intern categories.
Which cities in North Carolina have the most laboratory research assistant sponsorship jobs?
Research Triangle Park and its surrounding cities, specifically Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, hold the highest concentration of laboratory research assistant sponsorship positions in North Carolina. These cities host three major research universities and dozens of life sciences and pharmaceutical employers. Winston-Salem also offers opportunities through Wake Forest University and its affiliated medical and research institutions.
How to find laboratory research assistant visa sponsorship jobs in North Carolina?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find laboratory research assistant roles in North Carolina with verified visa sponsorship history. You can search by role and state to see employers who have actively sponsored positions, helping you focus your applications on organizations with a documented track record. This is especially useful given how heavily sponsorship activity in this role is concentrated among universities and Research Triangle Park employers.
Are there state-specific factors that affect visa sponsorship for laboratory research assistants in North Carolina?
North Carolina's concentration of research universities and life sciences employers in Research Triangle Park creates a sponsorship-active environment for laboratory research assistants, particularly compared to states without a comparable research cluster. University positions often flow through established international scholar and student offices, which have experience processing H-1B, J-1, and OPT paperwork. TN eligibility applies only to roles explicitly hosted at post-secondary institutions, so candidates should confirm the employing entity before pursuing that pathway.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored laboratory research assistant jobs in North Carolina?
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.