Research Assistant Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a strong state for research assistant visa sponsorship, driven by world-class institutions like the University of Pennsylvania, Penn State, Carnegie Mellon, and Drexel University, plus major research hospitals and pharmaceutical employers concentrated in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Both cities have active H-1B visa sponsorship histories across academic, clinical, and industry research settings.
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Get Access To All JobsPosting Number: 20260096F
Position Title: Assistant Research Professor in Optics and Photonics
Position Type: Faculty
Location: Villanova, PA
Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants
Work Schedule: full-time/12-months
Department: 186-Physics
Position Summary:
Founded in 1842 and recognized among the nation’s best colleges and universities, we are a mission-driven institution inspired by the values of truth, unity, love, and dedication to serving the common good. At Villanova, we believe our people are our most precious asset. That’s why we offer a vibrant and collaborative campus environment and invest in our employees through competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support your professional growth, personal well-being, and long-term success.
Benefits include:
- Generous paid time off and holidays
- Tuition assistance for employees and eligible family members
- Professional development opportunities
- Retirement savings plan with University contributions
- Well-being programs and resources
- Flexible work options where appropriate
We invite you to join a community where your contributions are valued, your growth is supported, and your work makes a meaningful difference. Learn more about the benefits of working at Villanova on our website.
The Department of Physics at Villanova University seeks applicants for a faculty position at the Assistant Research Professor level to support the department’s strategic goals in photonics and optics. The successful applicant will play a central role in developing Villanova’s emerging Photonics initiative, including building collaborations with academic and industry partners, shaping strategic research directions, and contributing to the planning of photonics laboratories and research infrastructure.
The successful applicant will also establish and lead an active research program in their field of interest/expertise and will have access to the department’s laboratory space and research infrastructure in pursuit of their research goals. They are encouraged to pursue external funding to support these research goals. This is a 1-year term-based position, contingent on available funding.
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Helping define the strategic research directions and long-term vision of Villanova’s emerging Photonics and Quantum initiative.
- Building interdisciplinary collaborations within Villanova and developing partnerships with academic, government, and industry organizations.
- Contributing to the development of new academic programs in photonics, optics, quantum technologies, and related fields.
- Helping plan and develop photonics laboratories, research infrastructure, and shared experimental capabilities.
- Contributing to seminars, workshops, outreach, and other activities that advance Villanova’s visibility and leadership in photonics.
- Conducting independent research as opportunities arise
Minimum Qualifications:
The applicant should have a PhD in physics, astronomy, or related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:
Special Message to Applicants:
Posting Date: 10/22/2026
Closing Date (11:59pm ET): 10/30/2026
Salary Posting Information:
Competitive
Salary Band:
Job Classification: faculty
References Needed
Minimum Number of References Needed: 2
Maximum Number of References Needed: 2
Posting Number: 20260096F
Position Title: Assistant Research Professor in Optics and Photonics
Position Type: Faculty
Location: Villanova, PA
Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants
Work Schedule: full-time/12-months
Department: 186-Physics
Position Summary:
Founded in 1842 and recognized among the nation’s best colleges and universities, we are a mission-driven institution inspired by the values of truth, unity, love, and dedication to serving the common good. At Villanova, we believe our people are our most precious asset. That’s why we offer a vibrant and collaborative campus environment and invest in our employees through competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support your professional growth, personal well-being, and long-term success.
Benefits include:
- Generous paid time off and holidays
- Tuition assistance for employees and eligible family members
- Professional development opportunities
- Retirement savings plan with University contributions
- Well-being programs and resources
- Flexible work options where appropriate
We invite you to join a community where your contributions are valued, your growth is supported, and your work makes a meaningful difference. Learn more about the benefits of working at Villanova on our website.
The Department of Physics at Villanova University seeks applicants for a faculty position at the Assistant Research Professor level to support the department’s strategic goals in photonics and optics. The successful applicant will play a central role in developing Villanova’s emerging Photonics initiative, including building collaborations with academic and industry partners, shaping strategic research directions, and contributing to the planning of photonics laboratories and research infrastructure.
The successful applicant will also establish and lead an active research program in their field of interest/expertise and will have access to the department’s laboratory space and research infrastructure in pursuit of their research goals. They are encouraged to pursue external funding to support these research goals. This is a 1-year term-based position, contingent on available funding.
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Helping define the strategic research directions and long-term vision of Villanova’s emerging Photonics and Quantum initiative.
- Building interdisciplinary collaborations within Villanova and developing partnerships with academic, government, and industry organizations.
- Contributing to the development of new academic programs in photonics, optics, quantum technologies, and related fields.
- Helping plan and develop photonics laboratories, research infrastructure, and shared experimental capabilities.
- Contributing to seminars, workshops, outreach, and other activities that advance Villanova’s visibility and leadership in photonics.
- Conducting independent research as opportunities arise
Minimum Qualifications:
The applicant should have a PhD in physics, astronomy, or related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:
Special Message to Applicants:
Posting Date: 10/22/2026
Closing Date (11:59pm ET): 10/30/2026
Salary Posting Information:
Competitive
Salary Band:
Job Classification: faculty
References Needed
Minimum Number of References Needed: 2
Maximum Number of References Needed: 2
Research Assistant Job Roles in Pennsylvania
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Search Research Assistant Jobs in PennsylvaniaResearch Assistant Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies and institutions sponsor visas for research assistants in Pennsylvania?
The University of Pennsylvania, Penn State University, Carnegie Mellon University, Drexel University, and the University of Pittsburgh are among the most active sponsors for research assistant roles in Pennsylvania. Major health systems like Penn Medicine and UPMC also sponsor research staff. On the industry side, pharmaceutical and life sciences employers concentrated in the Philadelphia suburbs, including companies in the Greater Philadelphia Innovation Corridor, have established H-1B sponsorship track records.
Which visa types are most common for research assistant roles in Pennsylvania?
The H-1B visa is the most common pathway for research assistants in Pennsylvania, particularly for roles requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as biology, chemistry, or computer science. Many research assistants employed by universities enter on J-1 visa exchange visitor visas, which are commonly used for academic research appointments. OPT and STEM OPT extensions also allow F-1 graduates to work in research roles before transitioning to H-1B sponsorship.
Which cities in Pennsylvania have the most research assistant visa sponsorship jobs?
Philadelphia accounts for the largest concentration of research assistant sponsorship opportunities in Pennsylvania, anchored by Penn, Drexel, Jefferson Health, and a dense cluster of pharmaceutical companies in the surrounding suburbs. Pittsburgh is the second major hub, driven by Carnegie Mellon, the University of Pittsburgh, and UPMC. State College, home to Penn State's main campus, is also a meaningful source of research assistant positions with sponsorship history.
How to find research assistant visa sponsorship jobs in Pennsylvania?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for roles where employers have a documented sponsorship history, making it a practical starting point for research assistant candidates in Pennsylvania. You can search by state and role to surface positions at universities, hospitals, and research institutions across Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and State College. Because research assistant sponsorship is closely tied to specific departments and funding cycles, filtering by employer type on Migrate Mate helps narrow results to settings most likely to support visa petitions.
Are there any Pennsylvania-specific factors research assistants should know about visa sponsorship?
Pennsylvania's heavy concentration of research universities and academic medical centers means many research assistant positions are grant-funded, which can affect sponsorship timelines if funding is renewed on an annual cycle. Employers in the Philadelphia life sciences corridor tend to have dedicated HR teams experienced with H-1B petitions, while smaller research institutions may process sponsorships less frequently. Prevailing wage requirements apply statewide, and the applicable wage level is determined by the specific job duties and location, so Philadelphia and Pittsburgh positions may carry different prevailing wage thresholds.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research assistant jobs in Pennsylvania?
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.