Research Associate Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Tennessee
Tennessee's research associate roles are concentrated in Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville, driven by employers like Vanderbilt University Medical Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. These institutions regularly sponsor international researchers across life sciences, clinical research, and physical sciences, making Tennessee a strong destination for visa sponsorship candidates.
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Post-Doctoral Research Associate - Industrial Hemp Agronomic
Division
College of Agriculture
Department
TSU Ag and Envir Research
Number of hours per week
37.5
Days to be worked
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Months per year
Fiscal (12 months)
Job Type
Full-Time
Campus
Main Campus
Position Number
121445
Advertised Salary
Pay Basis
Monthly
Job Description
The successful candidate will work closely with the Statewide Industrial Hemp Extension Specialist at Tennessee State University (TSU) to support research and Extension activities focused on industrial hemp production, agronomy, sustainability, and development of resilient production systems. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will assist with the design, establishment, management, and evaluation of field and controlled – environment studies involving industrial hemp. Research may include cultivar evaluation, planting and harvest management, crop rotation, soil and nutrient management, weed and disease management, propagation, conservation practices, and other factors affecting hemp productivity and quality. The position will also support implementation of TSU’s USDA-NRCS Agricultural Management and Production (AMP) fiber hemp project, including research and demonstration activities at TSU research stations, coordination of activities with university and industry partners, and technical support to participating growers across Tennessee. Responsibilities will include field visits, data collection and management, evaluation of production practices, and assistance with grower outreach, field demonstrations, and other project activities. The successful candidate will also conduct statistical analyses, interpret research results, prepare technical and Extension materials, and work closely with the supervisor and project collaborators to prepare manuscripts for peer – reviewed journals and present findings at scientific conferences, field days, workshops, and producer meetings.
Minimum Qualifications
Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Sciences or a related field.
Valid U.S. driver’s license and ability to travel to research sites across Tennessee.
Experience working with soil–plant–atmosphere monitoring tools, remote sensing tools.
Strong programming and data analysis skills using Python, RStudio, or related programming languages, or experience working with water balance or energy balance models.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and complete tasks efficiently.
Experience conducting field-based agricultural research in extreme weather conditions.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a criminal background check as mandated by Tennessee State University.
Official transcripts for positions which require a post-secondary undergraduate degree, advanced degree and/or certification must be presented upon hire.
An unofficial transcript may be attached in the “Transcript” section.
You will be required to provide names and contact information for three references during your application to the posting. If you are the recommended candidate for the position, our online hiring system will automatically generate solicitation for these letters using contact information you provided.
Open Date
10/23/2026
Close Date
11/06/2026
Job Category
Administrative/Professional
Benefits
Tennessee State University offers eligible employees a competitive benefits package that includes annual leave (vacation), sick leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, flexible benefits plans and more.
References
Minimum References Required
2
Required Documents
- CV/Resume
- Cover Letter
- Transcript 1
- Transcript 2
- Transcript 3
Optional Documents
Position Title
Post-Doctoral Research Associate - Industrial Hemp Agronomic
Division
College of Agriculture
Department
TSU Ag and Envir Research
Number of hours per week
37.5
Days to be worked
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Months per year
Fiscal (12 months)
Job Type
Full-Time
Campus
Main Campus
Position Number
121445
Advertised Salary
Pay Basis
Monthly
Job Description
The successful candidate will work closely with the Statewide Industrial Hemp Extension Specialist at Tennessee State University (TSU) to support research and Extension activities focused on industrial hemp production, agronomy, sustainability, and development of resilient production systems. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will assist with the design, establishment, management, and evaluation of field and controlled – environment studies involving industrial hemp. Research may include cultivar evaluation, planting and harvest management, crop rotation, soil and nutrient management, weed and disease management, propagation, conservation practices, and other factors affecting hemp productivity and quality. The position will also support implementation of TSU’s USDA-NRCS Agricultural Management and Production (AMP) fiber hemp project, including research and demonstration activities at TSU research stations, coordination of activities with university and industry partners, and technical support to participating growers across Tennessee. Responsibilities will include field visits, data collection and management, evaluation of production practices, and assistance with grower outreach, field demonstrations, and other project activities. The successful candidate will also conduct statistical analyses, interpret research results, prepare technical and Extension materials, and work closely with the supervisor and project collaborators to prepare manuscripts for peer – reviewed journals and present findings at scientific conferences, field days, workshops, and producer meetings.
Minimum Qualifications
Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Sciences or a related field.
Valid U.S. driver’s license and ability to travel to research sites across Tennessee.
Experience working with soil–plant–atmosphere monitoring tools, remote sensing tools.
Strong programming and data analysis skills using Python, RStudio, or related programming languages, or experience working with water balance or energy balance models.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and complete tasks efficiently.
Experience conducting field-based agricultural research in extreme weather conditions.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a criminal background check as mandated by Tennessee State University.
Official transcripts for positions which require a post-secondary undergraduate degree, advanced degree and/or certification must be presented upon hire.
An unofficial transcript may be attached in the “Transcript” section.
You will be required to provide names and contact information for three references during your application to the posting. If you are the recommended candidate for the position, our online hiring system will automatically generate solicitation for these letters using contact information you provided.
Open Date
10/23/2026
Close Date
11/06/2026
Job Category
Administrative/Professional
Benefits
Tennessee State University offers eligible employees a competitive benefits package that includes annual leave (vacation), sick leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, flexible benefits plans and more.
References
Minimum References Required
2
Required Documents
- CV/Resume
- Cover Letter
- Transcript 1
- Transcript 2
- Transcript 3
Optional Documents
Research Associate Job Roles in Tennessee
See all 371+ Research Associate Jobs in Tennessee
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Search Research Associate Jobs in TennesseeResearch Associate Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for research associates in Tennessee?
The most active sponsors for research associate roles in Tennessee include Vanderbilt University Medical Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee system, and Meharry Medical College. These institutions file H-1B visa petitions regularly for research positions in life sciences, clinical research, and computational fields. Large healthcare networks like HCA Healthcare also sponsor research staff on occasion.
Which visa types are most common for research associate roles in Tennessee?
H-1B is the most common visa for research associates in Tennessee, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a specific scientific field. J-1 visas are also frequently used, particularly at academic medical centers and national laboratories for postdoctoral researchers. Some positions at universities may also accommodate OPT or STEM OPT extensions for recent graduates.
Which cities in Tennessee have the most research associate sponsorship jobs?
Nashville leads Tennessee for research associate sponsorship, anchored by Vanderbilt University, its medical center, and a growing biotech sector. Memphis is a significant hub due to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, one of the most active research employers in the mid-South. Oak Ridge, near Knoxville, concentrates physical and computational science roles through the Department of Energy's national laboratory complex.
How to find research associate visa sponsorship jobs in Tennessee?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically to roles where employers have a documented history of visa sponsorship, which saves significant time when searching for research associate positions in Tennessee. You can narrow results by state and role to surface openings at institutions like St. Jude, Vanderbilt, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Searching Migrate Mate directly for Tennessee research associate roles gives you a curated starting point rather than sifting through unfiltered postings.
Are there any Tennessee-specific considerations for research associates seeking visa sponsorship?
Tennessee's research sector is heavily anchored in federally funded institutions, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory and several NIH-funded medical centers. These employers are generally experienced with H-1B and J-1 sponsorship processes. One practical consideration is that federal contractor roles at Oak Ridge may have additional security clearance requirements that can affect sponsorship timelines. University-affiliated positions often move through academic hiring cycles, so application timelines can differ from private-sector roles.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research associate 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.