Research Scientist Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's research scientist job market is anchored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, major biotech and pharmaceutical employers like MilliporeSigma and Exact Sciences in Madison, and established food science and agricultural research operations in the Milwaukee corridor. International candidates with advanced degrees in life sciences, chemistry, or engineering will find consistent visa sponsorship activity across academic and industry settings.
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INTRODUCTION
Candidates for this position will be responsible for developing and maintaining a health services or other clinical research laboratory, engaging as principal investigators and collaborators in research and obtaining/maintaining independent extramural funding. This position will work closely with researchers and clinicians in the Division of General Internal Medicine (GIM), and will have the opportunity to interact with Department of Medicine and University of Wisconsin researchers. Candidates are also provided the opportunity to grow the next generation of researchers through hands-on instruction of students, medical residents, and fellows.
- This position is full or part time, 80%-100%
- This position requires work to be completed onsite, at a designated campus work location.
- This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and every four years.
- Applicants for this position will be considered for the titles: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Visiting Associate Professor, Professor, or Visiting Professor. The title is determined by the experience and qualifications of the finalist.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
All Faculty: Teach medical students, residents, and fellows.
Conduct research in conditions treated in primary care, or delivery of primary care.
CHS and Tenure: Participate in administrative and committee work to support the clinical and scholarly missions of UW Health and the School of Medicine and Public Health. An essential part of these duties will be working in a collegial relationship with other faculty members.
The selected candidate will have protected time to develop a research program or teaching program and to engage in scholarly activities.
DEPARTMENT
School of Medicine and Public Health / Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison in one of the 10 largest research institutions in the country, allocating more than $1 billion annually to groundbreaking exploration. This position will be located within UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health. The Department of Medicine, the largest department in the school, empowers leaders to transform medicine. The DOM elevates everyone through meaningful mentorship, career development and opportunities to innovate. The department includes 11 divisions, and was ranked 25th in the country in extramural grant funding in FY25, with $152 million in extramural grants. We have substantial career development support for early and mid-career faculty both within the department and through collaborations across the School of Medicine and Public Health; these include programs to help develop and submit individual K awards. In addition, the institution holds NIH-funded institutional career development awards through the Institute for Clinical and Translational Services (ICTR KL2 program), and the Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCH) K12 program.
At the Division of General Internal Medicine, we design and deliver state-of-the-art primary care that helps all people live their healthiest lives. We are experts in ambulatory education, population health and chronic medical care for complex patients—and we work in partnership with our world-class university and remarkable health system. Our faculty lead their own highly collaborative clinical and dissemination and implementation research laboratories.
In addition, several members of our division are affiliated with the Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention. Federally funded for over thirty years, the center performs groundbreaking tobacco research. With Family Medicine and Pediatrics, we mentor research fellows through the HRSA funded T32 Primary Care Research Fellowship.
COMPENSATION
Negotiable, 12 month
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits.
- SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in clinical or health services research in conditions treated in (or delivery of) primary care, with a track record of successful publications in peer reviewed journals, strong written and verbal communication skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- For an appointment at Associate Professor or Professor rank on tenure track, candidates will meet criteria established by the department and as outlined in the UW Divisional Committee guidelines for promotion or appointment to Associate or Professor on the tenure track.
- A program of research with strong health services and health delivery methodology including but not limited to informatics, artificial intelligence, simple clinical trials, and/or dissemination and implementation.
- Research focus on primary care issues that occur or are more common in peri- and postmenopausal women.
Education
- PhD or PhD and MD required by start date.
- Ph.D. in fields including Population Science, Epidemiology, Health Services Research, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nursing, Medical Anthropology, Industrial Engineering, Implementation Science or closely related discipline by the start date.
HOW TO APPLY
For the best experience completing your application, we recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your web browser.
To apply for this position, select either “I am a current employee” or “I am not a current employee” under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.
Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area.
- Cover letter required
- Resume
Your cover letter should address how your training and experience aligns with the required and preferred qualifications listed above. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants move forward in the process. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected.
The deadline for assuring full consideration is August 27, 2026; however, the position will remain open and applications may be considered until the position is filled.
The department will not be able to support a request for a J-1 waiver. If you choose to pursue a waiver and apply for our position, neither the UW nor UWMF will reimburse you for your legal or waiver fees.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Ashley Royston, ashley.royston@wisc.edu, 608-890-3746
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT ON DIVERSITY
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.
Research Scientist Job Roles in Wisconsin
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Search Research Scientist Jobs in WisconsinResearch Scientist Jobs in Wisconsin: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for research scientists in Wisconsin?
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the most active sponsors, regularly filing H-1B visa petitions for postdoctoral and staff research scientist roles. Industry employers with a track record of sponsorship include Exact Sciences, MilliporeSigma, and Luminex. Food and agriculture companies such as Land O'Lakes and various contract research organizations in the Milwaukee and Madison areas also sponsor research scientist positions with some regularity.
Which visa types are most common for research scientist roles in Wisconsin?
The H-1B is the most common visa for research scientists employed by private-sector companies in Wisconsin, as these roles typically require a specialized degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field. University-based positions frequently use H-1B as well, but J-1 visa exchange visitor status is also common for postdoctoral researchers at institutions like UW-Madison. Candidates with exceptional credentials may qualify for the O-1A. The EB-2 NIW is a longer-term immigrant visa option worth understanding for researchers contributing to work with national benefit.
How to find research scientist visa sponsorship jobs in Wisconsin?
Migrate Mate is specifically built for international job seekers and filters research scientist openings in Wisconsin by visa sponsorship status, saving significant time compared to sorting through general postings. You can browse roles at Wisconsin employers known to sponsor, filter by location across Madison, Milwaukee, and other research hubs, and access guidance on which visa categories apply to your background. Creating a profile on Migrate Mate helps you stay current as new research scientist roles are posted.
Which cities in Wisconsin have the most research scientist sponsorship jobs?
Madison is Wisconsin's primary hub for sponsored research scientist roles, driven by UW-Madison, the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, and a growing biotech corridor. Milwaukee has a meaningful presence through medical research at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University, along with industrial research at manufacturing-adjacent companies. Smaller concentrations exist in Green Bay and Wausau, particularly in food science and materials research tied to regional industry.
Are there state-specific factors that affect visa sponsorship for research scientists in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin's heavy concentration of university-affiliated research means many research scientist positions are tied to grant funding, which can affect the duration and renewal of sponsorship. The Department of Labor requires employers to pay the prevailing wage for the relevant occupational category and work site, so compensation benchmarks differ between Madison, Milwaukee, and smaller markets. Research scientists entering through university programs often transition from J-1 or OPT status to H-1B sponsorship as they move into staff or industry roles.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research scientist jobs in Wisconsin?
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.