Associate Researcher Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Tennessee
Associate researcher jobs in Tennessee are concentrated at Vanderbilt University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee system, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. These institutions actively hire international candidates and have established visa sponsorship pipelines, particularly in life sciences, public health, and physical sciences research.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
This position is part of a cutting-edge project investigating the conversion of nitrogen in air to nitrogen fertilizer using plasma technologies, and the practical applications.
The successful candidate will contribute to multiple aspects of the project, including:
- Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of chemical reactions in plasma environments
- Development of catalysts tailored for plasma-assisted processes
- System integration and performance optimization
- Techno-economic analysis of the developed systems
This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.
The successful candidate is expected to conduct experiments outlined in the job description, to analyze data, and to write project reports and manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
- Education:
-
Ph.D. in Agricultural/Biosystems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
-
Experience/Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Solid understanding of plasma physics and chemistry.
- Demonstrated experience in applied chemical catalysis.
- Hands-on experience with high-voltage plasma technologies.
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
- Strong motivation, independence, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants with experience in one or more of the following areas will be strongly preferred:
- Electrical characterization of plasma discharges
- Plasma diagnostics via optical emission or Raman spectroscopy
- Chemical product analysis (e.g., GC, UV-Vis, FTIR)
- Application of AI or machine learning techniques to reaction system optimization
- Techno-economic analysis
LOCATION:
- Location: Knoxville, TN
- Onsite
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
The position will be open until filled. We are accepting applications from now until December 1, 2026. Interested applicants should submit the following documents as a single PDF file, named using your last name and date, in the following order:
- Cover Letter detailing your research achievements and interests
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Names and contact information for at least three professional references
For inquiry about the position, please contact:
Prof. X. Philip Ye
Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996
Email: xye2@utk.edu
Phone: (865) 974-7129
ABOUT THE COLLEGE/DEPARTMENT/DIVISION:
Please visit the department website: https://bess.tennessee.edu/
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
INTRODUCTION
This position is part of a cutting-edge project investigating the conversion of nitrogen in air to nitrogen fertilizer using plasma technologies, and the practical applications.
The successful candidate will contribute to multiple aspects of the project, including:
- Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of chemical reactions in plasma environments
- Development of catalysts tailored for plasma-assisted processes
- System integration and performance optimization
- Techno-economic analysis of the developed systems
This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.
The successful candidate is expected to conduct experiments outlined in the job description, to analyze data, and to write project reports and manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
- Education:
-
Ph.D. in Agricultural/Biosystems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
-
Experience/Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Solid understanding of plasma physics and chemistry.
- Demonstrated experience in applied chemical catalysis.
- Hands-on experience with high-voltage plasma technologies.
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
- Strong motivation, independence, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants with experience in one or more of the following areas will be strongly preferred:
- Electrical characterization of plasma discharges
- Plasma diagnostics via optical emission or Raman spectroscopy
- Chemical product analysis (e.g., GC, UV-Vis, FTIR)
- Application of AI or machine learning techniques to reaction system optimization
- Techno-economic analysis
LOCATION:
- Location: Knoxville, TN
- Onsite
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
The position will be open until filled. We are accepting applications from now until December 1, 2026. Interested applicants should submit the following documents as a single PDF file, named using your last name and date, in the following order:
- Cover Letter detailing your research achievements and interests
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Names and contact information for at least three professional references
For inquiry about the position, please contact:
Prof. X. Philip Ye
Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996
Email: xye2@utk.edu
Phone: (865) 974-7129
ABOUT THE COLLEGE/DEPARTMENT/DIVISION:
Please visit the department website: https://bess.tennessee.edu/
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
Associate Researcher Job Roles in Tennessee
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Search Associate Researcher Jobs in TennesseeAssociate Researcher Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies and institutions sponsor visas for associate researchers in Tennessee?
Tennessee's leading visa sponsors for associate researcher roles include Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and Meharry Medical College. These organizations have established HR processes for H-1B visa and green card sponsorship and regularly file Labor Condition Applications for research positions requiring specialized degrees.
Which visa types realistically fit associate researcher roles in Tennessee?
Associate researcher roles typically qualify for H-1B status when the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as biology, chemistry, public health, or a related science. EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based green cards are also available through PERM labor certification for longer-term hires. F-1 students may use OPT or, if their degree is STEM-designated, the 24-month STEM OPT extension. J-1 visa exchange visitor status is an option at institutions with designated sponsor programs.
Which cities in Tennessee have the most associate researcher visa sponsorship jobs?
Nashville leads Tennessee for associate researcher sponsorship activity, driven by Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and a growing network of biotech and pharmaceutical employers. Oak Ridge is a significant hub due to Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Memphis generates consistent demand through St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Knoxville rounds out the major markets, anchored by the University of Tennessee flagship campus.
How to find associate researcher visa sponsorship jobs in Tennessee?
Migrate Mate lists associate researcher positions at Tennessee employers with verified visa sponsorship history, searchable by city and research field. This makes it straightforward to identify which institutions in Nashville, Oak Ridge, Memphis, or Knoxville are actively filing for research roles rather than sorting through postings from employers with no sponsorship track record. Start your search on Migrate Mate and filter to Tennessee to surface relevant openings.
Are there state-specific factors that affect visa sponsorship for associate researchers in Tennessee?
Tennessee's research employment is heavily anchored in federally funded institutions, particularly Oak Ridge National Laboratory and multiple research universities, which tend to have dedicated international hiring offices and consistent sponsorship capacity. The state's life sciences sector in Nashville has grown steadily, adding private-sector sponsors alongside traditional academic employers. Candidates should confirm that their prospective role is classified as a specialty occupation requiring a specific degree field, as some associate researcher titles at Tennessee institutions are structured more as technician roles and may not meet H-1B specialty occupation requirements.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored associate researcher jobs in Tennessee?
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.