AI Research Scientist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
AI Research Scientists rank among the most actively sponsored roles in the U.S. Most employers file H-1B visa petitions for this position, and O-1A visas are a strong alternative for candidates with publications, patents, or conference presentations. A relevant graduate degree is almost always required. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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The McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a faculty position in Artificial Intelligence and Operations Management, beginning in Fall 2027. We seek candidates with a strong commitment to high-quality research and teaching who can contribute to our undergraduate and graduate courses in Artificial Intelligence and Operations Management. We are particularly interested in candidates who use rigorous empirical and data-driven methods to address problems in application domains such as revenue management, supply chains, healthcare, retailing, transportation and logistics, and technology and operations.
A successful candidate will be expected to establish an internationally recognized research program at The University of Texas at Austin, mentor graduate students, and teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The predominant mode of instruction and research is in person; accordingly, faculty appointed for employment shall reside in the proximate area of the work site for the duration of their appointment and be able to maintain a daily in-person schedule at the assigned work site.
The McCombs School of Business, with its top-ranked faculty and educational programs, offers a stimulating and collegial environment for innovative research and teaching. The school’s research centers, including centers focused on supply chain management, electronic commerce, entrepreneurship, marketing, and energy management, provide opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across disciplines and interact with a range of industry partners in Austin, throughout Texas, and nationally.
A background check will be conducted on applicants selected for the position prior to appointment.
Qualifications
A Ph.D. (or very near completion) from an accredited institution is required by the start date of the appointment.
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, a job-market paper or other representative research manuscript, and a statement of research objectives and accomplishments. Three confidential letters of recommendation should also be submitted via Interfolio. Candidates with teaching experience should upload teaching evaluations.
At their discretion, applicants with prior faculty experience, such as current assistant or associate professors, may defer submission of recommendation letters during the initial application stage. Such candidates will be asked to provide references if selected as finalists. Additional materials may also be requested after the initial review of applications.
All materials should be submitted through Interfolio using the following link: apply.interfolio.com/194218
The application deadline is December 1, 2026. Applications received by October 15, 2026, will also be considered for interviews at the INFORMS Annual Meeting on November 1, 2026.
Please do not submit applications or updated materials via email.
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Description
The McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a faculty position in Artificial Intelligence and Operations Management, beginning in Fall 2027. We seek candidates with a strong commitment to high-quality research and teaching who can contribute to our undergraduate and graduate courses in Artificial Intelligence and Operations Management. We are particularly interested in candidates who use rigorous empirical and data-driven methods to address problems in application domains such as revenue management, supply chains, healthcare, retailing, transportation and logistics, and technology and operations.
A successful candidate will be expected to establish an internationally recognized research program at The University of Texas at Austin, mentor graduate students, and teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The predominant mode of instruction and research is in person; accordingly, faculty appointed for employment shall reside in the proximate area of the work site for the duration of their appointment and be able to maintain a daily in-person schedule at the assigned work site.
The McCombs School of Business, with its top-ranked faculty and educational programs, offers a stimulating and collegial environment for innovative research and teaching. The school’s research centers, including centers focused on supply chain management, electronic commerce, entrepreneurship, marketing, and energy management, provide opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across disciplines and interact with a range of industry partners in Austin, throughout Texas, and nationally.
A background check will be conducted on applicants selected for the position prior to appointment.
Qualifications
A Ph.D. (or very near completion) from an accredited institution is required by the start date of the appointment.
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, a job-market paper or other representative research manuscript, and a statement of research objectives and accomplishments. Three confidential letters of recommendation should also be submitted via Interfolio. Candidates with teaching experience should upload teaching evaluations.
At their discretion, applicants with prior faculty experience, such as current assistant or associate professors, may defer submission of recommendation letters during the initial application stage. Such candidates will be asked to provide references if selected as finalists. Additional materials may also be requested after the initial review of applications.
All materials should be submitted through Interfolio using the following link: apply.interfolio.com/194218
The application deadline is December 1, 2026. Applications received by October 15, 2026, will also be considered for interviews at the INFORMS Annual Meeting on November 1, 2026.
Please do not submit applications or updated materials via email.
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
See all 18,384+ AI Research Scientist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as an AI Research Scientist
Target employers with H-1B cap-exempt status
Universities, nonprofit research labs, and federally funded R&D centers can sponsor H-1B visas outside the annual lottery. For AI researchers, institutions like MIT Lincoln Laboratory or national labs offer a direct path without cap risk.
Build a publication record before applying
Employers sponsoring H-1B or O-1A visas for AI Research Scientists expect peer-reviewed publications or conference papers. A strong research output at NeurIPS, ICML, or ICLR signals both technical credibility and visa eligibility simultaneously.
Consider the O-1A if your H-1B wasn't selected
The O-1A has no lottery and no annual cap. AI researchers with publications, citations, conference speaking credits, or awards may qualify. Immigration attorneys report strong O-1A approval rates for candidates with a solid academic or industry research record.
Clarify your degree field matches the role
H-1B approval requires a specialty occupation link between your degree and the position. A PhD in computer science, statistics, or electrical engineering typically satisfies this. Mismatches between degree field and job description are a common reason for RFEs.
Ask about premium processing upfront
Premium processing reduces USCIS adjudication to 15 business days. For AI Research Scientists negotiating start dates, confirming whether the employer will elect premium processing avoids delays that can push back your first day by months.
Document your research contributions precisely
Sponsors need to write a strong support letter explaining the specialized nature of your role. Give your employer detailed documentation of your projects, methodologies, and outcomes. Vague job descriptions increase the likelihood of a Request for Evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do companies actually sponsor visas for AI Research Scientist roles?
Yes, and this is one of the most actively sponsored job titles in the U.S. Large tech companies, university labs, and government-affiliated research centers routinely file H-1B visa petitions for this role. DOL disclosure data consistently shows AI Research Scientist and related titles among the highest-volume H-1B filings each year. You can browse verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate.
What visa is most common for AI Research Scientists?
The H-1B is the most common visa for this role, typically requiring at least a master's degree in computer science, machine learning, statistics, or a closely related field. The O-1A is a strong alternative for candidates with a documented research record, including publications, citations, patents, or peer recognition. L-1B transfers are also used when researchers move from an overseas office to a U.S. entity.
Does a PhD improve my chances of getting sponsored?
It helps, but it isn't required. A PhD strengthens both the H-1B specialty occupation argument and the O-1A extraordinary ability case. However, many employers successfully sponsor candidates holding a master's degree with relevant research experience. The critical factor is that your degree field directly corresponds to the technical requirements of the specific AI research position.
What happens to my sponsorship if I switch research focus or team?
A significant change in job duties can require an amended H-1B petition. If your role shifts from, say, natural language processing research to computer vision in a way that changes the underlying job description, your employer should file an amendment before the change takes effect. Minor shifts within the same specialty typically don't require a new filing, but your employer's immigration counsel should make that determination.
How long does H-1B sponsorship take for this role?
Without premium processing, USCIS adjudication currently takes 3 to 6 months after the cap lottery in April, with an October 1 start date. With premium processing, adjudication is reduced to 15 business days from filing. For cap-exempt employers such as universities and nonprofit research organizations, H-1B petitions can be filed year-round and processed on the same premium processing timeline.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored AI Research Scientist jobs?
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.