Research Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Washington DC
Research visa sponsorship jobs in Washington DC are concentrated among federal agencies, think tanks, and policy institutions that rely on international talent. Major employers include the National Institutes of Health, Brookings Institution, RAND Corporation, and numerous university-affiliated research centers. The DC metro area is one of the most active markets in the country for sponsored research positions.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University.
Department
College of Arts & Sciences
Time Type
Part time
Job Type
Temporary (Fixed Term)
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Work Modality
Union: Excluded
Job Description
Summary
The Research Associate will oversee the day-to-day operations of an urban heat field study conducted in partnership with the DC Department of Transportation. The position combines field leadership with project coordination responsibilities, serving as the primary operational point of contact between the research team, the Principal Investigator, and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate has prior experience managing field research campaigns, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to handle logistics and public-facing communication in a professional manner. Availability for two short sessions in summer 2026 is preferred, though candidates available for only one session will also be considered.
Essential Functions
-
Planning Field Work:
Coordinate the overall field measurement campaign, including scheduling field days, managing site routing, and ensuring all equipment and personnel are prepared and in place.
Serve as the on-the-ground point person during field operations, resolving logistical issues as they arise.
Oversee instrument deployment and data collection across multiple field teams, ensuring protocol adherence and data quality.
Perform and supervise instrument calibration, setup, and maintenance throughout the measurement period.
Complete field survey forms and oversee data download and backup at the end of each field day. -
Leading Field Work:
Supervise graduate and undergraduate field research assistants during field sessions.
Provide direction, training, and on-site support to field team members.
Communicate field day status, staffing needs, and data quality issues to the Principal Investigator in a timely manner.
Serve as the primary point of contact for members of the public encountered during field operations, including residents, passersby, and local business owners.
Liaise professionally with law enforcement and other officials as needed during street-based data collection on public roadways.
Communicate with DDOT and other project stakeholders on operational and logistical matters as directed by the PI. -
Organizing Data from Field:
Track project expenditures and assist with budget monitoring.
Assist with report preparation, data organization, and other project deliverables as needed.
Supervisory Responsibility
Indirectly supervises a team of up to 16 students.
Competencies
- Managing Talent.
- Developing Plans.
- Collaborative Leadership.
- Managing Performance.
Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work
- Part-time.
- Up to 27 hours per week.
- Temporary position.
- This position is grant funded, to be hired from late June to early September, 21st, 2026.
- Continuation of the program/position is contingent upon external funding.
Salary Range
$24.00 per hour.
Required Education And Experience
Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
Less than 1 year of relevant experience.
Preferred Education And Experience
Master's degree or equivalent.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
Should have experience measuring climate and surface energy balance quantities in the field.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Benefits
Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.
Other Details
- Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
- Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
- Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
- American University is an E-Verify employer.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.
INTRODUCTION
American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University.
Department
College of Arts & Sciences
Time Type
Part time
Job Type
Temporary (Fixed Term)
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Work Modality
Union: Excluded
Job Description
Summary
The Research Associate will oversee the day-to-day operations of an urban heat field study conducted in partnership with the DC Department of Transportation. The position combines field leadership with project coordination responsibilities, serving as the primary operational point of contact between the research team, the Principal Investigator, and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate has prior experience managing field research campaigns, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to handle logistics and public-facing communication in a professional manner. Availability for two short sessions in summer 2026 is preferred, though candidates available for only one session will also be considered.
Essential Functions
-
Planning Field Work:
Coordinate the overall field measurement campaign, including scheduling field days, managing site routing, and ensuring all equipment and personnel are prepared and in place.
Serve as the on-the-ground point person during field operations, resolving logistical issues as they arise.
Oversee instrument deployment and data collection across multiple field teams, ensuring protocol adherence and data quality.
Perform and supervise instrument calibration, setup, and maintenance throughout the measurement period.
Complete field survey forms and oversee data download and backup at the end of each field day. -
Leading Field Work:
Supervise graduate and undergraduate field research assistants during field sessions.
Provide direction, training, and on-site support to field team members.
Communicate field day status, staffing needs, and data quality issues to the Principal Investigator in a timely manner.
Serve as the primary point of contact for members of the public encountered during field operations, including residents, passersby, and local business owners.
Liaise professionally with law enforcement and other officials as needed during street-based data collection on public roadways.
Communicate with DDOT and other project stakeholders on operational and logistical matters as directed by the PI. -
Organizing Data from Field:
Track project expenditures and assist with budget monitoring.
Assist with report preparation, data organization, and other project deliverables as needed.
Supervisory Responsibility
Indirectly supervises a team of up to 16 students.
Competencies
- Managing Talent.
- Developing Plans.
- Collaborative Leadership.
- Managing Performance.
Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work
- Part-time.
- Up to 27 hours per week.
- Temporary position.
- This position is grant funded, to be hired from late June to early September, 21st, 2026.
- Continuation of the program/position is contingent upon external funding.
Salary Range
$24.00 per hour.
Required Education And Experience
Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
Less than 1 year of relevant experience.
Preferred Education And Experience
Master's degree or equivalent.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
Should have experience measuring climate and surface energy balance quantities in the field.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Benefits
Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.
Other Details
- Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
- Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
- Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
- American University is an E-Verify employer.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.
Research Job Roles in Washington DC
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Search Research Jobs in Washington DCResearch Jobs in Washington DC: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for research roles in Washington DC?
Federal contractors and policy research organizations are among the most active sponsors in DC. Institutions such as the National Institutes of Health, American Institutes for Research, Urban Institute, and universities like Georgetown and George Washington University regularly file H-1B visa petitions for research positions. Government-affiliated research labs and international development organizations like the World Bank also sponsor research staff at notable volume.
Which visa types are most common for research roles in Washington DC?
The H-1B is the most common visa for research positions requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in a specialty field. J-1 visas are widely used for postdoctoral researchers and exchange visitor programs, particularly through NIH and university affiliates. O-1A visas are an option for researchers with demonstrated extraordinary ability. Some policy research roles at international organizations may qualify for G-series visa categories.
How to find research visa sponsorship jobs in Washington DC?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it straightforward to browse research roles in Washington DC without sorting through positions that won't sponsor. You can search by role type and location to surface openings at think tanks, federal contractors, universities, and research institutes across the DC metro area. It is one of the most targeted ways to identify research employers actively hiring international candidates.
Which parts of Washington DC have the most research sponsorship jobs?
Research sponsorship activity is concentrated in a few distinct corridors. The NIH campus and surrounding areas in Bethesda attract biomedical researchers. The downtown DC core houses most policy think tanks and international organizations. The Rosslyn-Ballston corridor in nearby Arlington hosts defense research contractors. University campuses in Georgetown, Foggy Bottom, and Northeast DC also generate consistent research hiring with sponsorship.
Are there state-specific considerations for research visa sponsorship in Washington DC?
DC has a high concentration of nonprofit and government-affiliated research employers, many of which are cap-exempt for H-1B purposes, meaning they can file petitions year-round without competing in the annual lottery. This is a meaningful structural advantage for research candidates. Prevailing wage requirements still apply, and employers must document that the research role qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a degree in a specific field.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research jobs in Washington DC?
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.