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 sponsorship histories across academic, clinical, and industry research settings.
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APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
-
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics is seeking applicants for the part-time job of Research Assistant.
Job duties to include:
- Performing GRB searches with Swift BAT and Fermi GBM data.
Schedule:
- Expected hours will be approximately 20 hours/week.
Compensation:
- The starting rate for this job is $15/hour.
The selected candidate will report to Dr. James DeLaunay. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
-
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics is seeking applicants for the part-time job of Research Assistant.
Job duties to include:
- Performing GRB searches with Swift BAT and Fermi GBM data.
Schedule:
- Expected hours will be approximately 20 hours/week.
Compensation:
- The starting rate for this job is $15/hour.
The selected candidate will report to Dr. James DeLaunay. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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 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.
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