Biology Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Biology roles can get H-1B visa sponsorship, but it depends heavily on the specific position and employer. Research scientist and lab positions at pharma companies, biotech firms, and universities are your best bets. Entry-level lab technician roles are harder to sponsor since employers may struggle to prove a bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for the specific duties. A master's or Ph.D. dramatically improves your chances, and academic positions can also use J-1 visa or O-1 visas. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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We invite you to consider an opportunity with Denali to help achieve our goal of delivering meaningful therapeutics to patients.
This role helps define the direction of computational biology efforts across Discovery and continues to adapt this strategy as needs evolve. This is a highly cross-functional role, collaborating with scientists to enable project advancement from early target validation through IND-enabling studies. This position develops tailored analytical approaches for a variety of data types and manages external partners as needed to achieve our goals. Through a combination of hands-on analysis and strategic oversight, this role has the opportunity to directly contribute to the advancement of Denali’s early-stage portfolio.
Key Accountabilities / Core Job Responsibilities
- Serves as the subject matter expert for the analysis of high-dimensional data, including bulk and single-cell/nucleus transcriptomics data
- Effectively collaborates with scientists across Discovery to design, analyze, and interpret in vitro and in vivo experiments to support projects across the portfolio
- Performs rigorous, reproducible analysis across transcriptomic, genomic, and other high-dimensional datasets, adapting methods to fit the specific scientific question as needed
- Develops and extends internal computational tools and workflows, as well as overseeing external analysis efforts as needed
- Operates as a highly-independent contributor, defining analytical approaches, building solutions where none exist, and validating results with minimal oversight
- Able to build and adapt analysis workflows using AI-assisted approaches while critically evaluating outputs for accuracy and scientific rigor
- Applies best practices to code- and data-management, including workflow orchestration and version control; identifies opportunities for improvement where appropriate
- Effectively communicates results to cross-functional teams and contributes to regulatory filings, patents, and publications
Qualifications/Skills
- PhD in a relevant field such as Computational Biology, Epidemiology, Neuroscience, Statistics, or similar with 3+ years relevant work experience in industry
- Proven track record of analyzing single-cell/single-nucleus RNA-seq data, as evidenced by relevant publications, a deep understanding of relevant statistical methods, and experience using common software tools for analysis (e.g. Cell Ranger, CellBender, Seurat, scanpy, etc)
- Additional experience with other high-dimensional data types (e.g., proteomics, mass spectrometry, human genetics) is a plus
- Extensive experience in R or Python for analysis of high-dimensional biological data
- Knowledge of version control (e.g., Git) and methods to generate analysis reports (e.g., R Markdown, Quarto). Experience building dashboards (e.g., with Shiny) is a plus
- Track record of impactful research, including publications in peer-reviewed journals
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent oral and written communication skills
Salary Range: $147,000.00 to $191,000.00. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Denali offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k, healthcare coverage, ESPP and a broad range of other benefits. This compensation and benefits information is based on Denali’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.
Denali is committed to its core company value of unity by creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Biology Jobs
Specialize within biology to strengthen your visa case
Broad biology roles can face scrutiny over whether a general degree is truly required. Specializing in areas like molecular biology, genetics, immunology, or neuroscience creates a clearer link between your training and the job requirements, which strengthens the H-1B specialty occupation argument.
Target pharmaceutical and biotech companies for industry roles
Companies like Pfizer, Merck, AbbVie, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals hire biologists for drug discovery, preclinical research, and quality control. These employers have established H-1B sponsorship processes and need specialized biology expertise that maps directly to recognized science SOC codes.
Consider academic and government research for cap-exempt positions
University biology departments, NIH intramural research programs, and organizations like the Smithsonian and USGS hire international biologists through cap-exempt H-1B or J-1 visa pathways. These positions avoid the lottery and often provide time to build the publication record needed for advanced visa categories.
Gain lab certifications and technical skills employers value
Proficiency in techniques like PCR, flow cytometry, CRISPR, cell culture, and next-generation sequencing makes you more competitive. Certifications from organizations like the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) can further differentiate your application for clinical and research lab roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find visa sponsorship with a biology degree?
Yes, biology graduates can find sponsorship in several sectors including pharmaceutical research, biotechnology, environmental science, and academic research. A bachelor's in biology qualifies for H-1B visa sponsorship if the role specifically requires that degree. Advanced degrees (master's or Ph.D.) open additional pathways and make you more competitive for research-focused positions.
What types of biology jobs are most likely to sponsor visas?
Research scientist and lab researcher positions at universities, pharmaceutical companies, and biotech firms have the strongest sponsorship track records. Roles in molecular biology, cell biology, and genetics are particularly in demand. Government research agencies like the NIH and NOAA also hire international biologists through structured visa programs.
Is biology considered STEM for OPT purposes?
Yes, biology and its sub-disciplines are STEM-designated fields. Graduates from U.S. biology programs qualify for the standard 12-month OPT plus the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. This applies to specializations including molecular biology, ecology, genetics, and microbiology.
How to find Biology jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Biology jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international candidates with sponsoring employers. Focus on research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and universities that commonly sponsor H-1B, O-1, and other work visas for biologists. These organizations frequently need specialized talent in areas like molecular biology, microbiology, and clinical research.
Are field biology roles eligible for visa sponsorship?
Field biology positions in wildlife management, conservation, or ecological research can qualify for H-1B sponsorship if they require a specialized degree. However, these roles are less commonly sponsored than lab-based positions because many are seasonal, part-time, or funded by grants with restrictions on international hires. University-affiliated field research stations may offer the best opportunities.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Biology jobs?
When a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for a work visa, they are legally required to pay at least the "prevailing wage" — the average wage paid to workers in the same occupation, in the same geographic area, with similar experience. This is set by the Department of Labor to prevent employers from hiring foreign workers at below-market rates. The prevailing wage varies significantly by role, location, and experience level — for example, a biology in California will have a different prevailing wage than the same role in a smaller state. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search.