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.
Find Research Assistant JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 100+ Research Assistant Jobs in Virginia with Visa Sponsorship
See all 100+ Research Assistant Jobs in Virginia with Visa Sponsorship
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research Assistant Jobs in Virginia with Visa Sponsorship.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
This position will support two projects analyzing experimental nuclear physics data. The first project is dedicated to the development of an event-level inference framework for obtaining the quark-gluon structure of nucleons and nuclei from deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) measurements as part of the QuantOm collaboration. Responsibilities include the accurate modeling of experimental effects through detailed Geant4 simulations and machine learning techniques, as well as the exploration and evaluation of this unique event-level approach using experimental data. In the second project, the postdoc will lead the running, analysis, and early result extraction for the Hall C Pion CT experiment that runs in August 2026 at Jefferson Lab. Responsibilities will include developing tools for expedient analysis of the experiment, assessing experimental background contributions, and supporting graduate students and collaborators on the experiment. Regular communication of results and analysis are required.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Development of analysis tools and software including machine learning strategies
- Analysis of experimental data
- Communication of results to include written and oral
- Documentation of results to include written and peer-review publication submission
EDUCATION AND/OR TRAINING:
PhD in physics
LEVEL AND TYPE OF EXPERIENCE
Record of delivering physics analysis in peer-review publications.
SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Thorough knowledge of electron scattering data analysis is expected
- Demonstrated publication and presentation record
- Proficiency of utilizing machine learning techniques
PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Analysis experience of Hall C data and machine learning techniques
EDUCATION OR TRAINING (CITE MAJOR AREA OF STUDY):
PhD in physics with a preference in experimental nuclear physics
COMPENSATION
- Anticipated salary range for this position is $60,000 – $70,000 annually.
TO APPLY: click Job Browsing; and follow the link for position #26-030. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
This position is being filled through the Research Foundation, which is a separate entity from Old Dominion University (ODU). While we work in support of ODU, the Research Foundation operates independently and is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
The organization is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer (AA/EOE/M/F/Disability/VETS/Drug-Free Workplace). We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all individuals in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Employment decisions — including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, and promotion — are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Affirmative action efforts are conducted consistent with applicable laws to promote equal opportunity in employment and advancement.
As part of our commitment to pay transparency and compliance with applicable laws, the Research Foundation includes a good-faith salary range in all job postings. These ranges represent the expected hiring range for the position, not the full compensation band.
Final salary offers may vary depending on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, internal equity, and budget availability.
INTRODUCTION
This position will support two projects analyzing experimental nuclear physics data. The first project is dedicated to the development of an event-level inference framework for obtaining the quark-gluon structure of nucleons and nuclei from deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) measurements as part of the QuantOm collaboration. Responsibilities include the accurate modeling of experimental effects through detailed Geant4 simulations and machine learning techniques, as well as the exploration and evaluation of this unique event-level approach using experimental data. In the second project, the postdoc will lead the running, analysis, and early result extraction for the Hall C Pion CT experiment that runs in August 2026 at Jefferson Lab. Responsibilities will include developing tools for expedient analysis of the experiment, assessing experimental background contributions, and supporting graduate students and collaborators on the experiment. Regular communication of results and analysis are required.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Development of analysis tools and software including machine learning strategies
- Analysis of experimental data
- Communication of results to include written and oral
- Documentation of results to include written and peer-review publication submission
EDUCATION AND/OR TRAINING:
PhD in physics
LEVEL AND TYPE OF EXPERIENCE
Record of delivering physics analysis in peer-review publications.
SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Thorough knowledge of electron scattering data analysis is expected
- Demonstrated publication and presentation record
- Proficiency of utilizing machine learning techniques
PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Analysis experience of Hall C data and machine learning techniques
EDUCATION OR TRAINING (CITE MAJOR AREA OF STUDY):
PhD in physics with a preference in experimental nuclear physics
COMPENSATION
- Anticipated salary range for this position is $60,000 – $70,000 annually.
TO APPLY: click Job Browsing; and follow the link for position #26-030. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
This position is being filled through the Research Foundation, which is a separate entity from Old Dominion University (ODU). While we work in support of ODU, the Research Foundation operates independently and is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
The organization is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer (AA/EOE/M/F/Disability/VETS/Drug-Free Workplace). We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all individuals in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Employment decisions — including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, and promotion — are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Affirmative action efforts are conducted consistent with applicable laws to promote equal opportunity in employment and advancement.
As part of our commitment to pay transparency and compliance with applicable laws, the Research Foundation includes a good-faith salary range in all job postings. These ranges represent the expected hiring range for the position, not the full compensation band.
Final salary offers may vary depending on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, internal equity, and budget availability.
Research Assistant Job Roles in Virginia
See all 100+ Research Assistant Jobs in Virginia
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
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.