Research Assistant Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia
Research assistant visa sponsorship jobs in Virginia are concentrated around Northern Virginia's federal research corridor, the Washington D.C. metro area, and major academic institutions like George Mason University, Virginia Tech, and the University of Virginia. Employers including Leidos, MITRE, and Booz Allen Hamilton regularly hire research staff and have established sponsorship programs.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Hourigan Lab focuses on bringing precision medicine approaches to the care of patients suffering from the rare, highly fatal, blood cancer Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Based at the Virginia Tech Cancer Research Center in Washington DC, and a member of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, the laboratory performs translational research developing high sensitivity genomic tools for the characterization of measurable residual disease (MRD) in patients with AML to predict and prevent relapse. This work includes multiple governmental and private sector partnerships and leadership of the national prospective clinical protocol (‘MEASURE”) to validate and implement AML MRD testing nationwide.
The lab is looking for a full time Research Assistant to assist with current and ongoing research projects. This is a great opportunity to get a hands-on learning experience in a professional research laboratory. Typically, a Research Assistant supports a scientist in the performance of various recruitment, technical, and data collection activities for research or laboratory programs. These roles will serve as part of the research team working collaboratively and independently to collect and organize data for grant-funded research projects. Laboratory and research support responsibilities range from entry- to advanced-level.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties of the roles will include, though may not be limited to the following:
- Advanced biospecimen processing, including handling of diverse clinical sample types (e.g., whole blood, bone marrow aspirates, plasma, and cell pellets) in accordance with standardized operating procedures (SOPs)
- Genomic DNA extraction utilizing validated protocols tailored to sample type, ensuring high yield and integrity for downstream molecular applications
- Nucleic acid quantification and quality assessment using fluorescence-based and spectrophotometric methods, including Qubit (dye-based fluorometric quantitation), PicoGreen assays (high-sensitivity dsDNA detection), and NanoDrop (UV absorbance-based purity analysis)
- Comprehensive documentation of all processed biospecimens, including completion of experimental manifests and systematic recording of results in shared data repositories to ensure traceability and data integrity
- Sample accessioning, tracking, and inventory management, including systematic organization of biospecimens in cryogenic storage systems (freezer boxes, racks) with meticulous documentation
- Biorepository management, including receipt, labeling, cataloging, and long-term storage of clinical samples under controlled conditions
- Foundational cell culture techniques, including aseptic handling, maintenance of mammalian cell lines, passaging, and monitoring of cell viability and confluency
- Routine laboratory equipment maintenance and decontamination, including scheduled cleaning (e.g., weekly washdowns), calibration checks, and adherence to laboratory safety and operational standards
- Maintenance and tracking of office and laboratory supply inventories to ensure consistent availability of essential materials
- Active participation in research team meetings to report on study progress, improve data collection processes, contribute to problem-solving efforts, and address protocol-related issues arising during research activities
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated organizational skills and/or experience with data management.
- Desire to succeed in a fast-paced research environment with numerous duties.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, organizational skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Coursework or training in genetics, biology, life-sciences, or related field, and/or the equivalent level of training and experience.
- Demonstrated data collection and entry experience.
- Experience in one or more of the following research areas: genetics, biology, life-sciences, computational, or related fields
- Experience with basic laboratory protocols including proper handling of specimens, data collection, assessments, and data management.
PAY BAND
3
OVERTIME STATUS
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
APPOINTMENT TYPE
Restricted
SALARY INFORMATION
Starting at $50,000, commensurate with experience
HOURS PER WEEK
40
REVIEW DATE
6/1/26
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Noah Rader at rnoah@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
INTRODUCTION
The Hourigan Lab focuses on bringing precision medicine approaches to the care of patients suffering from the rare, highly fatal, blood cancer Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Based at the Virginia Tech Cancer Research Center in Washington DC, and a member of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, the laboratory performs translational research developing high sensitivity genomic tools for the characterization of measurable residual disease (MRD) in patients with AML to predict and prevent relapse. This work includes multiple governmental and private sector partnerships and leadership of the national prospective clinical protocol (‘MEASURE”) to validate and implement AML MRD testing nationwide.
The lab is looking for a full time Research Assistant to assist with current and ongoing research projects. This is a great opportunity to get a hands-on learning experience in a professional research laboratory. Typically, a Research Assistant supports a scientist in the performance of various recruitment, technical, and data collection activities for research or laboratory programs. These roles will serve as part of the research team working collaboratively and independently to collect and organize data for grant-funded research projects. Laboratory and research support responsibilities range from entry- to advanced-level.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties of the roles will include, though may not be limited to the following:
- Advanced biospecimen processing, including handling of diverse clinical sample types (e.g., whole blood, bone marrow aspirates, plasma, and cell pellets) in accordance with standardized operating procedures (SOPs)
- Genomic DNA extraction utilizing validated protocols tailored to sample type, ensuring high yield and integrity for downstream molecular applications
- Nucleic acid quantification and quality assessment using fluorescence-based and spectrophotometric methods, including Qubit (dye-based fluorometric quantitation), PicoGreen assays (high-sensitivity dsDNA detection), and NanoDrop (UV absorbance-based purity analysis)
- Comprehensive documentation of all processed biospecimens, including completion of experimental manifests and systematic recording of results in shared data repositories to ensure traceability and data integrity
- Sample accessioning, tracking, and inventory management, including systematic organization of biospecimens in cryogenic storage systems (freezer boxes, racks) with meticulous documentation
- Biorepository management, including receipt, labeling, cataloging, and long-term storage of clinical samples under controlled conditions
- Foundational cell culture techniques, including aseptic handling, maintenance of mammalian cell lines, passaging, and monitoring of cell viability and confluency
- Routine laboratory equipment maintenance and decontamination, including scheduled cleaning (e.g., weekly washdowns), calibration checks, and adherence to laboratory safety and operational standards
- Maintenance and tracking of office and laboratory supply inventories to ensure consistent availability of essential materials
- Active participation in research team meetings to report on study progress, improve data collection processes, contribute to problem-solving efforts, and address protocol-related issues arising during research activities
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated organizational skills and/or experience with data management.
- Desire to succeed in a fast-paced research environment with numerous duties.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, organizational skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Coursework or training in genetics, biology, life-sciences, or related field, and/or the equivalent level of training and experience.
- Demonstrated data collection and entry experience.
- Experience in one or more of the following research areas: genetics, biology, life-sciences, computational, or related fields
- Experience with basic laboratory protocols including proper handling of specimens, data collection, assessments, and data management.
PAY BAND
3
OVERTIME STATUS
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
APPOINTMENT TYPE
Restricted
SALARY INFORMATION
Starting at $50,000, commensurate with experience
HOURS PER WEEK
40
REVIEW DATE
6/1/26
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Noah Rader at rnoah@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Research Assistant Job Roles in Virginia
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Search Research Assistant Jobs in VirginiaResearch Assistant Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for research assistants in Virginia?
Federal contractors and research organizations are among the most active sponsors for research assistant roles in Virginia. Companies like Leidos, MITRE Corporation, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Noblis have documented H-1B visa sponsorship histories. University research centers at George Mason, Virginia Tech, and UVA also sponsor researchers, particularly through J-1 visa and H-1B pathways. Sponsorship availability varies by project funding and role type.
Which visa types are most common for research assistant roles in Virginia?
H-1B is the most common visa for research assistant roles requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field like biology, computer science, or engineering. J-1 visas are widely used for university-affiliated research positions and postdoctoral roles. OPT and STEM OPT extensions allow F-1 students at Virginia universities to work in research roles while pursuing longer-term sponsorship.
Which cities in Virginia have the most research assistant sponsorship jobs?
Northern Virginia, particularly Arlington, Reston, and McLean, leads in research assistant sponsorship due to its concentration of federal contractors and defense research organizations. Charlottesville hosts UVA's research programs, Blacksburg supports Virginia Tech's extensive research enterprise, and Fairfax anchors George Mason University's growing research community. Richmond also has emerging biomedical and policy research employers.
How to find research assistant visa sponsorship jobs in Virginia?
Migrate Mate filters research assistant jobs in Virginia specifically to employers with active visa sponsorship programs, saving you from sifting through listings that don't support international candidates. You can search by city, filter to institutions with strong H-1B or J-1 sponsorship histories, and focus on roles where your degree field aligns with the position requirements, which matters significantly for specialty occupation eligibility.
Are there state-specific considerations for research assistant visa sponsorship in Virginia?
Virginia's heavy presence of federal contractors introduces a unique factor: many research roles require security clearances, which are generally not available to non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents. This narrows sponsorship opportunities to unclassified research positions. University-based and private sector research roles, particularly in Northern Virginia's tech corridor and academic medical centers, are more accessible to international candidates seeking sponsorship.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research assistant jobs in Virginia?
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.