Research Scientist Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Tennessee
Tennessee's research scientist roles span pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nashville, agricultural biotechnology in Memphis, and materials science at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Major employers including Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, and Corteva Agriscience regularly hire international researchers. The state's strong university pipeline and federal research infrastructure make it an active market for visa-sponsored positions.
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INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a Social and Environmental Epidemiologist to join our interdisciplinary research team. The successful candidate will contribute to studies examining how multilevel social and environmental determinants, including socioeconomic vulnerability and exposure to physical and chemical environmental hazards, influence the health outcomes of childhood cancer survivors across the cancer continuum, from diagnosis through long-term survivorship.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key responsibilities include:
- Investigate social and environmental determinants of health, focusing on how multilevel factors, such as socioeconomic status, neighborhood vulnerability, and exposure to physical and chemical environmental hazards, affect the health outcomes of childhood cancer survivors across the cancer continuum, from diagnosis through long-term survivorship.
- Translating research into actionable recommendations.
- Engage in project meetings and research activities.
- Collaborating with senior faculty members to design and conduct epidemiological studies, analyzing large datasets using advanced methods, assisting with proposal writing, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and presenting findings at national or international conferences.
- Working with public health experts, oncologists, primary care physicians, cancer survivors, families, and policymakers to develop evidence-based strategies for reducing health disparities.
- Assisting the institution’s Health Services Working Group in coordinating concept and grant proposals and bi-weekly meetings.
- Manuscript writing (as a lead or co-author).
- Conference presentation (as a lead or co-author).
- Assist PI with grant preparation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Education and/or Training:
- MD or PhD in a relevant scientific field required.
Minimum Experience:
Clinical Research Scientist I
- Minimum Requirement: 2+ prior relevant and productive research experience in clinical/population-based outcomes and health behavior research.
- Experience in study design methodology, protocol development, study conduct, and analysis.
- Experience working in a project-oriented matrixed team environment preferred.
- Proven performance in earlier role.
Clinical Research Scientist II
- Minimum Requirement: 5+ years of substantial prior relevant and productive research experience in clinical/population-based outcomes and health disparity research.
- Experience working in a project-oriented matrixed team environment.
- Proven performance in earlier role conducting social and/or environmental health research.
- Experience in study design methodology, protocol development, study conduct, data analysis, and statistical modeling.
- At least two (2) years of experience after completing a doctoral degree in an academic research lab or equivalent research position.
- At least three (3) peer-reviewed publications as the first author or a corresponding author in social epidemiology, environmental epidemiology, health disparity, and/or health services research journals.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; kneel, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
- An essential function of the job is to be able to comply with all applicable federal, state and local safety and health regulations that would apply to this job.
- The employee must move about the workspace to access work surface and shelves, cabinets, drawers, and equipment that are at, below or above the work surface.
- Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time as business needs dictate. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The information contained herein is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor is it intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job.
COMPENSATION
In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $94,640 - $169,520 per year for the role of Clinical Research Scientist I or II-Social and Environmental Epidemiology in Cancer Survivorship.
Explore our exceptional benefits!
St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer
No Search Firms
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.
Research Scientist Job Roles in Tennessee
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Search Research Scientist Jobs in TennesseeResearch Scientist Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for research scientists in Tennessee?
Oak Ridge National Laboratory and its affiliated contractors are among the most active sponsors for research scientist roles in Tennessee, particularly in energy, materials science, and computational research. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer's Memphis operations also have histories of sponsoring H-1B visa and O-1 visas for qualified research scientists.
Which visa types are most common for research scientist roles in Tennessee?
The H-1B is the most common visa for research scientist positions in Tennessee, as most roles require at least a master's degree in a specific scientific discipline, satisfying the specialty occupation requirement. The O-1A is an alternative for researchers with recognized publications, grants, or awards. University and federal lab positions may also qualify for J-1 visa exchange visitor status or EB-1 immigrant petition pathways for senior researchers.
Which cities in Tennessee have the most research scientist sponsorship jobs?
Oak Ridge leads for federal and energy research roles given its concentration of Department of Energy facilities. Nashville is the primary hub for biomedical, pharmaceutical, and clinical research positions, supported by Vanderbilt University and a growing life sciences sector. Memphis has notable activity in agricultural and food science research. Knoxville, home to the University of Tennessee's main campus, also generates consistent sponsorship demand across engineering and natural sciences.
How to find research scientist visa sponsorship jobs in Tennessee?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for roles that offer visa sponsorship, making it more targeted than general job searches for research scientist positions in Tennessee. You can narrow results by location and role type to surface openings at institutions like Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Vanderbilt, or Tennessee's pharmaceutical employers. Migrate Mate also provides visa guidance relevant to research scientist candidates navigating H-1B or O-1 pathways.
Are there any state-specific considerations for research scientists seeking visa sponsorship in Tennessee?
Tennessee's heavy concentration of federally funded research at Oak Ridge means some positions require security clearances, which can complicate or restrict sponsorship for certain visa holders. Researchers targeting academic or nonprofit lab roles should note that these employers are cap-exempt for H-1B purposes, allowing filing year-round without entering the annual lottery. Tennessee's lower cost of living relative to coastal research hubs also affects prevailing wage determinations under Labor Condition Application requirements.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research scientist 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.