Research Scientist Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Washington
Washington state is one of the most active markets for research scientist visa sponsorship in the U.S., driven by major employers including Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Seattle and the greater Puget Sound region concentrate most opportunities, alongside a strong university research pipeline from the University of Washington.
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Job Description
The Department of Atmospheric Sciences has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer 4 to join their team.
Key Responsibilities
Project Contribution (70%)
- Develop, operate, and maintain state-of-the-art instrumentation such as high-resolution time-of-flight chemical ionization mass spectrometers and nanoparticle sizers and counters
- Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations, such as purchasing consumables, space and power use organization, safety practices, grant proposal writing, etc.
- Design and carry out field and laboratory experiments using the instruments
- Process and analyze data collected from laboratory and field studies using custom computer code in a range of coding languages and platforms.
Publication & Networking (20%)
- Write and submit grant and research contract proposals to government, corporate, and foundation opportunities
- Initiate and help manage collaborations on field and laboratory projects with external partners
- Author and co-author manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication in atmospheric chemistry journals
Research Mentoring (10%)
- Train students and postdocs on the use of the instrumentation for atmospheric chemistry research
- Co-manage graduate student and postdoc research projects by providing expert advice, computer code, editing manuscripts, and proposals
Required Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants who do not meet these qualifications will not be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.
Master’s Degree in Atmospheric Sciences or equivalent field and four years of experience in:
- the development and application of time of flight mass spectrometry with select chemical ionization,
- fast chromatography,
- aerosol instrumentation,
- vacuum hardware and instrumentation,
- electronics,
- chemistry of atmospheric reactive nitrogen and organic aerosol particles,
- fully proficient in generating and interpreting custom data analysis software.
Preferred Qualifications
- Design and testing of chemical ionization schemes and apparatus.
- Able to mentor students and postdocs, design and construct laboratory apparatuses for atmospheric aerosol formation and chemistry experiments, and know biospheric hydrocarbon emissions and biogenic hydrocarbon chemistry. Knowledge of multiplexing for chromatography and ion mobility.
- PhD in Atmospheric Sciences or equivalent field; at least 4 years of experience in the field of atmospheric chemistry instrumentation after PhD; strong working knowledge of high-resolution time-of-flight chemical ionization mass spectrometry applied to reactive halogens, reactive nitrogen, and reactive organic compounds.
Compensation, Benefits and Position Details
Pay Range Minimum:
$99,444.00 annual
Pay Range Maximum:
$164,328.00 annual
Other Compensation:
Benefits:
For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/
Shift:
First Shift (United States of America)
Temporary or Regular?
This is a regular position
FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):
100.00%
Union/Bargaining Unit:
UAW Research
About the UW
Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.
UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
Our Commitment
The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.
Research Scientist Job Roles in Washington
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Search Research Scientist Jobs in WashingtonResearch Scientist Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for research scientists in Washington?
Washington has a high concentration of employers with established visa sponsorship programs for research scientists. Microsoft and Amazon sponsor research scientists across machine learning, cloud computing, and AI disciplines at their Redmond and Seattle campuses. Boeing sponsors research roles in aerospace engineering and materials science. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle Children's Research Institute, and the Allen Institute regularly sponsor biomedical and computational research scientists.
Which visa types are most common for research scientist roles in Washington?
The H-1B visa is the most common visa for research scientists in Washington, as most roles require a master's or doctoral degree in a specific scientific field, meeting the specialty occupation standard. Researchers with exceptional recognition in their field may qualify for the O-1A. University and nonprofit research institute positions can sometimes access cap-exempt H-1B filings, meaning the annual lottery does not apply.
Which cities in Washington have the most research scientist sponsorship jobs?
Seattle and Redmond account for the large majority of research scientist sponsorship activity in Washington. Seattle hosts biomedical employers including Fred Hutchinson, the Allen Institute, and University of Washington Medical Center, as well as Amazon's research divisions. Redmond is the center of Microsoft's research and AI science teams. Bothell and Renton have smaller but growing concentrations in biotech and aerospace research.
How to find research scientist visa sponsorship jobs in Washington?
Migrate Mate filters research scientist jobs in Washington specifically to employers with active visa sponsorship, which removes the guesswork of identifying which postings are open to international candidates. You can browse by role and state to find current openings at companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Seattle-area research institutes. This is especially useful if you're on OPT or between visa statuses and need to move quickly.
Are there any Washington-specific factors research scientists should know about for visa sponsorship?
Washington has no state income tax, which affects how prevailing wage calculations compare to offer packages elsewhere, though the Department of Labor sets prevailing wages based on the specific job title and metro area regardless. The University of Washington produces a significant pipeline of international PhD graduates who transition into industry research roles in the state, making Seattle a particularly active market for OPT-to-H-1B sponsorship in scientific disciplines.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research scientist jobs in Washington?
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.