Biologist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Biologist roles qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B visa, meaning employers must file a Labor Condition Application and demonstrate your position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related biological science. Federal agencies, biotech firms, and research universities sponsor biologists across ecology, molecular biology, and clinical research. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Cogent Scientific, an insourced contract research organization, is looking for the right people to accomplish our Mission: to support the life sciences industry by cultivating and empowering exceptional scientists to deliver specialized laboratory services that advance research, foster collaboration, and accelerate innovation through quality and a shared commitment to excellence. We can offer you the chance to build on your skills and knowledge while working among experts in their fields and with cutting-edge instrumentation.
Cogent Scientific offers competitive pay, attractive benefits (such as medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k); parental leave; PTO and paid holidays; etc.) and an exciting work environment. This position may include relocation benefits as well. We aim to recruit the best people who stand out among their peers and embody our Core Values:
- Client Focused: We only succeed when our clients succeed.
- Outstanding: We deliver meticulous results through outstanding performance.
- Good: We act ethically and morally.
- Employee-Centric: We honor and support our employees.
- Nimble: We are prepared to adapt in an ever-changing industry.
- Team-Oriented: We collaborate with each other and with our clients.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We currently have a role available for a Expert Pharma Cell Biologist.
Job duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Cell culture, splitting and plating in a Class II biological safety cabinet.
- Treating cells with novel cytotoxic payloads, ADCs, siRNA conjugates and other investigational compounds; harvesting and lysing treated cells.
- Conducting protein quantitation, SDS-PAGE and western blotting; RNA isolation and qPCR; CellTiter-Glo and Incucyte viability assays; flow cytometry.
-
Experimental design, data analysis and reporting (desk-based).
-
Executes multi-step experiments independently.
- Troubleshoots failed experiments, proposes alternative approaches to technical problems, and executes protocol changes.
- Prioritizes experiments and analyses based on project timelines, and works efficiently with minimal supervision.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Job requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
- PhD in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Biophysics, or a related field.
- 4+ years of industry experience in a drug discovery setting (biotech or pharma).
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to work well both independently and within a team.
- Very strong problem-solving skills, a high level of learning agility, and the ability to work across functions.
- The ideal candidate should be enthusiastic and self-motivated, with the leadership and communication skills necessary to operate effectively in a fast-paced multidisciplinary environment with flexibility and an adaptable approach to goal delivery.
LOCATION
This is an onsite, day shift position (approx. 8a-5p local time) at our Louisville, CO site. This role does not accommodate a remote or hybrid schedule.
Cogent Scientific provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate based on any legally protected characteristic.
Additionally, if you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know.
This job posting will close by 12/31/2026 or when a candidate is identified, whichever comes first.
INTRODUCTION
Cogent Scientific, an insourced contract research organization, is looking for the right people to accomplish our Mission: to support the life sciences industry by cultivating and empowering exceptional scientists to deliver specialized laboratory services that advance research, foster collaboration, and accelerate innovation through quality and a shared commitment to excellence. We can offer you the chance to build on your skills and knowledge while working among experts in their fields and with cutting-edge instrumentation.
Cogent Scientific offers competitive pay, attractive benefits (such as medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k); parental leave; PTO and paid holidays; etc.) and an exciting work environment. This position may include relocation benefits as well. We aim to recruit the best people who stand out among their peers and embody our Core Values:
- Client Focused: We only succeed when our clients succeed.
- Outstanding: We deliver meticulous results through outstanding performance.
- Good: We act ethically and morally.
- Employee-Centric: We honor and support our employees.
- Nimble: We are prepared to adapt in an ever-changing industry.
- Team-Oriented: We collaborate with each other and with our clients.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We currently have a role available for a Expert Pharma Cell Biologist.
Job duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Cell culture, splitting and plating in a Class II biological safety cabinet.
- Treating cells with novel cytotoxic payloads, ADCs, siRNA conjugates and other investigational compounds; harvesting and lysing treated cells.
- Conducting protein quantitation, SDS-PAGE and western blotting; RNA isolation and qPCR; CellTiter-Glo and Incucyte viability assays; flow cytometry.
-
Experimental design, data analysis and reporting (desk-based).
-
Executes multi-step experiments independently.
- Troubleshoots failed experiments, proposes alternative approaches to technical problems, and executes protocol changes.
- Prioritizes experiments and analyses based on project timelines, and works efficiently with minimal supervision.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Job requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
- PhD in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Biophysics, or a related field.
- 4+ years of industry experience in a drug discovery setting (biotech or pharma).
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to work well both independently and within a team.
- Very strong problem-solving skills, a high level of learning agility, and the ability to work across functions.
- The ideal candidate should be enthusiastic and self-motivated, with the leadership and communication skills necessary to operate effectively in a fast-paced multidisciplinary environment with flexibility and an adaptable approach to goal delivery.
LOCATION
This is an onsite, day shift position (approx. 8a-5p local time) at our Louisville, CO site. This role does not accommodate a remote or hybrid schedule.
Cogent Scientific provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate based on any legally protected characteristic.
Additionally, if you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know.
This job posting will close by 12/31/2026 or when a candidate is identified, whichever comes first.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Biologist Jobs
Align your degree to the specific subdiscipline
Consular officers and USCIS adjudicators look for a direct link between your degree field and the job duties. A general biology degree may not support an H-1B for a highly specialized role like computational genomics, so document coursework and research that maps to the posted position.
Search DOL LCA data on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate shows verified LCA filing history by employer and role, so you can identify which labs, biotech companies, and federal contractors have actively sponsored biologist positions rather than relying on job postings that may not reflect actual sponsorship willingness.
Target federal and state agency positions early
Federal agencies like USDA, EPA, and NIH sponsor biologists under cap-exempt or government-contractor arrangements, which sidestep the H-1B lottery entirely. Research scientist and wildlife biologist roles posted through USAJobs often have dedicated sponsorship pathways worth pursuing before private-sector applications.
Use O*NET to anchor your specialty occupation case
O*NET lists the standard education and task requirements for biologist roles. If your employer receives a Request for Evidence challenging specialty occupation status, citing O*NET's requirement for a bachelor's degree in biology or a related life science strengthens the response significantly.
Verify prevailing wage tier before accepting an offer
Your offer must meet the DOL prevailing wage for your location and role level. Use the OFLC Wage Search to check the wage tier before you negotiate, since an employer who underpays relative to Level I or II wages will face LCA certification issues that can delay or block your petition.
Prepare field station and remote work documentation in advance
Biologists frequently work across multiple field sites, which creates LCA worksite compliance issues. Your employer must file a separate LCA or place a notice at each worksite. Clarify this with HR before your petition is filed to avoid RFEs tied to worksite location discrepancies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a biologist role qualify as a specialty occupation for the H-1B?
Yes, biologist positions generally qualify as specialty occupations because they require at least a bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, biochemistry, or a closely related life science. USCIS expects the degree field to directly relate to the job duties, so a molecular biologist role should be supported by a molecular biology or biochemistry credential, not a general science degree.
Which visa types are available to foreign biologists seeking U.S. sponsorship?
The H-1B is the most common path for biologists in private industry and universities. TN visas cover biologists who are Canadian or Mexican nationals, since biologist is explicitly listed on the USMCA profession list. J-1 visas are available through designated exchange programs for research scholars. EB-2 and EB-3 green cards apply for permanent roles requiring advanced degrees or significant experience.
Do Canadian biologists need a job offer to get a TN visa?
Yes, Canadian biologists need a qualifying job offer to obtain TN status. You apply directly at a U.S. port of entry with a support letter from your employer, proof of Canadian citizenship, and credentials confirming your biology degree. No petition is filed with USCIS for Canadians, and there's no annual cap or lottery. TN status is granted for up to three years and is renewable indefinitely.
How do I find employers who actively sponsor biologists for visas?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified sponsorship history for biologist and life science roles, so you can focus your applications on organizations that have already navigated the process. Biotech companies, federal research contractors, environmental consulting firms, and R1 research universities are among the most consistent sponsors in this field.
Can a biologist self-petition for a green card without employer sponsorship?
In limited cases, yes. The EB-1A extraordinary ability category and the EB-2 National Interest Waiver allow self-petitioning without employer sponsorship or PERM labor certification. These require documented evidence of significant research contributions, publications, or national recognition in your field. Most biologists pursue employer-sponsored EB-2 or EB-3 green cards, which require PERM certification and an approved I-140 petition.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Biologist 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.