Biologist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

Biologist roles in the U.S. routinely qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa, and federal research employers can sponsor through cap-exempt pathways. Most positions require a bachelor's degree minimum, with graduate credentials strengthening petitions for research-focused roles. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.

Find Biologist Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs74+
Top Visa TypeTN
Work Type84% On-site
Top LocationBoston, MA
Most JobsStantec

Showing 5 of 74+ Biologist jobs

State of Wyoming
Senior Wildlife Biologist
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State of Wyoming
Added 3d ago
Senior Wildlife Biologist
State of Wyoming
Cody, Wyoming
Laboratory Research
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Environmental Science
$6,612 - $7,347/mo
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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State of New Hampshire
Biologist I
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State of New Hampshire
Added 4d ago
Biologist I
State of New Hampshire
Durham, New Hampshire
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Environmental Science
$25 - $34/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Environmental Science Associates
Senior Biologist and Project Manager
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Environmental Science Associates
Added 4d ago
Senior Biologist and Project Manager
Environmental Science Associates
Portland, Oregon
Project & Program Management
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Consulting & Professional Services
Project Management
Environmental Science
$137k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's

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Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Computational Biologist
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Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Added 4d ago
Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Computational Biologist
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Data Science & Analytics
Software Engineering
Data Science
$72k - $76k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
1,001-5,000

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Axle
Biologist
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Axle
Added 4d ago
Biologist
Axle
Rockville, Maryland
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
$90k - $100k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Tips for Finding Biologist Jobs

Verify your degree field matches the role

USCIS evaluates whether your degree directly relates to the specific biological discipline advertised. A general biology degree supporting a molecular biology role may trigger a Request for Evidence, so document the field overlap explicitly in your petition.

Target cap-exempt employers for H-1B sponsorship

Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and government-affiliated labs are cap-exempt, meaning they can file H-1B petitions year-round without lottery risk. Biologist roles at these institutions often move to approval faster than private-sector filings.

Pull wage data before negotiating your offer

Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your occupation and location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up Level I through Level IV wages for your specific biology SOC code before you negotiate.

Get your foreign credentials evaluated early

If your biology degree is from outside the U.S., obtain a credential evaluation before applying. USCIS accepts evaluations showing your foreign degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's in a relevant biological science, but delays here stall the entire petition timeline.

Check the O*NET profile to build your specialty occupation case

The O*NET occupation profile for Biologists documents the degree requirements and knowledge domains USCIS references when evaluating specialty occupation status. Pull the job zone and education data to support your petition's specialty occupation argument.

File your LCA and I-129 through Migrate Mate

Once you have a signed offer, Migrate Mate handles the LCA submission to DOL and I-129 preparation at a flat fee, with a dedicated expert reviewing your biologist-specific documentation before filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a biologist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?

Yes, most biologist positions qualify because USCIS requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific biological science as the normal minimum for entry into the occupation. The O*NET profile for Biologists designates the role as Job Zone 5, which supports the specialty occupation argument. Roles requiring only a general science degree with no biological specialization can face greater scrutiny.

Can biologists get sponsored outside the H-1B lottery?

Yes. Universities, nonprofit research centers, and federally funded labs are cap-exempt H-1B employers and can sponsor biologists year-round without entering the annual lottery. Many government research agencies also hire through direct federal employment pathways that don't require a private-sector visa petition at all. Browse open biologist roles at sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate.

Does a master's or PhD in biology improve H-1B approval odds?

A graduate degree strengthens the specialty occupation case and may qualify you for the advanced degree cap, which historically has a higher selection rate in the H-1B lottery. For research biologist roles specifically, a master's or PhD also aligns more closely with the advertised duties, reducing the likelihood of a Request for Evidence from USCIS on the degree-to-role match.

What happens to H-1B sponsorship if a biologist switches employers mid-petition?

If you change employers after an H-1B has been filed but before it's approved, the new employer must file a fresh petition. If you're already in H-1B status, portability under AC21 allows you to change jobs in a same or similar occupational classification after 180 days of the petition being filed. Biologist roles generally qualify as same or similar to adjacent life sciences positions.

Do biologist roles qualify for PERM-based green card sponsorship?

Yes. Employers can sponsor biologists for employment-based green cards through the PERM labor certification process, which requires demonstrating no qualified U.S. workers are available for the role. Research biologist positions with specialized subdiscipline requirements, such as computational biology or marine biology, often satisfy the specificity needed to support a PERM filing under the EB-2 or EB-3 category.

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.