Chemist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Chemists can get H-1B visa sponsorship at pharma companies, chemical manufacturers, food companies, and research institutions. The specialty occupation argument is straightforward when the role requires a chemistry or related science degree. Larger employers like Dow, 3M, and Procter & Gamble have established immigration programs. Academic and government lab positions may also use J-1 visas, and O-1A is an option for researchers with significant publications. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Title: Analytical Chemist II
Business Title: Analytical Chemist – Oligonucleotide Analyst
Entity: Consumer Products Services Division
Department: ATL
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Reports to: Manager
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Hours Worked: Example: Typically, Monday through Friday, forty-hours per week. However, must be flexible to meet the needs of the department and complete other projects as assigned.
Position Summary:
The Analytical Chemist is responsible for supporting oligonucleotide analysis portfolio and delivering analytical quality management. Analytical instruments including AKTA, LC-MS, HPLC/UPLC, LTQ, QDA, CAD, Circular Dichroism, Karl Fischer titration, UV-vis/Fluorescence spectrophotometer, TFF, thermal cycler, Nanodrop, SoloVPE along with automation integration system will be used on a routine basis.
Duties and Responsibilities:
It is everyone’s responsibility to live out our Values and Absolutes by Shaping a World of Trust while ensuring responsible progress.
- Perform chemical stability and accelerated stability evaluation of samples over an extended period using established procedures.
- Perform precise and accurate sample preparation, including weighing, diluting, extracting, and purifying samples for various analytical techniques.
- Develop, validate, and document standard operating procedures for sample handling, ensuring consistency and repeatability in all preparation activities.
- Maintain detailed records and logs of all sample preparation steps, calculations and observations, supporting data integrity and traceability.
- Collect, record and organize experimental data, conduct basic analyses to interpret results and support ongoing laboratory research.
- Develop, adapt and improve laboratory protocols, including but not limited to sample preparation, mobile phase preparation, sample quality control, chemical stability and accelerated stability evaluation, to support consistent and reliable qualification and quantitation of target analytes.
- Use of general laboratory equipment including but not limited to single/multichannel pipettors, centrifuges, incubators, biological safety cabinets, and analytical balances.
- Follow instruction and perform instrumental analysis on instruments including but not limited to AKTA, LC-MS, HPLC/UPLC, LTQ, QDA, CAD, Circular Dichroism, Karl Fischer titration, UV-vis/Fluorescence spectrophotometers, thermal cycler, Nanodrop, SoloVPE instruments, etc. Provide basic troubleshooting to mentioned instrument.
- Work closely with members of the RNAi chemistry team to understand and validate requirements for oligonucleotide analytical control.
- Hands-on and independent lab experience with concentration calculation and unit conversion, buffer preparation, solution preparation, separation, quantification of DNA/RNA, oligonucleotides, etc.
- Software includes instrument-specific for capturing and analyzing data, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams/SharePoint, GraphPad Prism, Spotfire, etc), LIMS, electronic laboratory notebooks, etc.
- Detailed record keeping of daily experiments in ELNs.
- General lab maintenance and Inventory management.
- Coordinate with third-party vendors to schedule PM, provide assistance for onsite engineers and follow up with the updates.
- Follow the guidelines set forth with clients and Company Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environmental policies and procedures.
- Comply with clients’ and Company management systems in accordance with appropriate regulatory agencies.
- Perform other essential tasks projects and responsibilities as required.
- Follows guidelines set forth by clients and in the company Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental policies and procedures.
- Other duties as defined by Manager, department needs and workload.
Skills & Proficiencies:
- Strong laboratory skills and experience with analytical instrumentation such as AKTA, Agilent LC-MS and UPLC, Vanquish LTQ, Water’s QDA, etc.
- Experience in developing new chromatographic methods (IEX/RP-HPLC, SPE, LC-MS).
- Pay attention to details, conduct thorough quality checks throughout the experiment, and proactively identify any inconsistencies as well as implementing corrective actions.
- Strong attention to details, organizational skills.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Confident, execution-focused, and team oriented with a desire to thrive in a fast-paced growing environment.
- Written and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively in a group setting, with colleagues and clients.
- Ability to perform multiple tasks.
- Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet or exceed deadlines.
- Individual and Team work ethic.
- Proficiency with Windows, Word & Excel & PowerPoint.
- Positive attitude, self-motivated, high level of engagement.
- Champions company values including team engagement.
Education and Experience:
- Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry or closely related fields.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted in lieu of above.
Compensation Range: $28.00-$31.00 per hour (e.g., the job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, and actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as location, education, experience, and skillset).
Position Title: Analytical Chemist II
Business Title: Analytical Chemist – Oligonucleotide Analyst
Entity: Consumer Products Services Division
Department: ATL
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Reports to: Manager
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Hours Worked: Example: Typically, Monday through Friday, forty-hours per week. However, must be flexible to meet the needs of the department and complete other projects as assigned.
Position Summary:
The Analytical Chemist is responsible for supporting oligonucleotide analysis portfolio and delivering analytical quality management. Analytical instruments including AKTA, LC-MS, HPLC/UPLC, LTQ, QDA, CAD, Circular Dichroism, Karl Fischer titration, UV-vis/Fluorescence spectrophotometer, TFF, thermal cycler, Nanodrop, SoloVPE along with automation integration system will be used on a routine basis.
Duties and Responsibilities:
It is everyone’s responsibility to live out our Values and Absolutes by Shaping a World of Trust while ensuring responsible progress.
- Perform chemical stability and accelerated stability evaluation of samples over an extended period using established procedures.
- Perform precise and accurate sample preparation, including weighing, diluting, extracting, and purifying samples for various analytical techniques.
- Develop, validate, and document standard operating procedures for sample handling, ensuring consistency and repeatability in all preparation activities.
- Maintain detailed records and logs of all sample preparation steps, calculations and observations, supporting data integrity and traceability.
- Collect, record and organize experimental data, conduct basic analyses to interpret results and support ongoing laboratory research.
- Develop, adapt and improve laboratory protocols, including but not limited to sample preparation, mobile phase preparation, sample quality control, chemical stability and accelerated stability evaluation, to support consistent and reliable qualification and quantitation of target analytes.
- Use of general laboratory equipment including but not limited to single/multichannel pipettors, centrifuges, incubators, biological safety cabinets, and analytical balances.
- Follow instruction and perform instrumental analysis on instruments including but not limited to AKTA, LC-MS, HPLC/UPLC, LTQ, QDA, CAD, Circular Dichroism, Karl Fischer titration, UV-vis/Fluorescence spectrophotometers, thermal cycler, Nanodrop, SoloVPE instruments, etc. Provide basic troubleshooting to mentioned instrument.
- Work closely with members of the RNAi chemistry team to understand and validate requirements for oligonucleotide analytical control.
- Hands-on and independent lab experience with concentration calculation and unit conversion, buffer preparation, solution preparation, separation, quantification of DNA/RNA, oligonucleotides, etc.
- Software includes instrument-specific for capturing and analyzing data, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams/SharePoint, GraphPad Prism, Spotfire, etc), LIMS, electronic laboratory notebooks, etc.
- Detailed record keeping of daily experiments in ELNs.
- General lab maintenance and Inventory management.
- Coordinate with third-party vendors to schedule PM, provide assistance for onsite engineers and follow up with the updates.
- Follow the guidelines set forth with clients and Company Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environmental policies and procedures.
- Comply with clients’ and Company management systems in accordance with appropriate regulatory agencies.
- Perform other essential tasks projects and responsibilities as required.
- Follows guidelines set forth by clients and in the company Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental policies and procedures.
- Other duties as defined by Manager, department needs and workload.
Skills & Proficiencies:
- Strong laboratory skills and experience with analytical instrumentation such as AKTA, Agilent LC-MS and UPLC, Vanquish LTQ, Water’s QDA, etc.
- Experience in developing new chromatographic methods (IEX/RP-HPLC, SPE, LC-MS).
- Pay attention to details, conduct thorough quality checks throughout the experiment, and proactively identify any inconsistencies as well as implementing corrective actions.
- Strong attention to details, organizational skills.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Confident, execution-focused, and team oriented with a desire to thrive in a fast-paced growing environment.
- Written and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively in a group setting, with colleagues and clients.
- Ability to perform multiple tasks.
- Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet or exceed deadlines.
- Individual and Team work ethic.
- Proficiency with Windows, Word & Excel & PowerPoint.
- Positive attitude, self-motivated, high level of engagement.
- Champions company values including team engagement.
Education and Experience:
- Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry or closely related fields.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted in lieu of above.
Compensation Range: $28.00-$31.00 per hour (e.g., the job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, and actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as location, education, experience, and skillset).
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Chemist
Target pharmaceutical quality control and analytical chemistry roles
Pharmaceutical companies need analytical chemists for quality control, method development, and stability testing - functions required by FDA regulations. These roles are abundant, clearly require chemistry degrees, and exist at companies of all sizes, from large pharma to contract testing laboratories. QC chemist positions at companies like Eurofins, SGS, and Charles River offer consistent entry points into the industry.
Leverage national labs and university positions for cap-exempt H-1B
National laboratories (Argonne, Brookhaven, Lawrence Livermore, Oak Ridge) and university chemistry departments are H-1B cap-exempt, meaning no lottery and year-round filing. These institutions actively recruit international chemists for research positions. The Department of Energy's national lab system alone employs thousands of chemists across materials science, nuclear chemistry, and energy research.
Build toward O-1 eligibility through publications and patents
Chemists with strong publication records, patents, and peer-reviewed research contributions may qualify for the O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary ability. Document every publication, conference presentation, peer review invitation, and patent filing. If you accumulate publications in high-impact journals like JACS, Angewandte Chemie, or Nature Chemistry, the O-1 path can bypass the H-1B lottery entirely.
Specialize in high-growth areas like battery chemistry or biologics
The energy storage revolution has created enormous demand for electrochemists and materials chemists who work on lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries, and next-generation energy technologies. Companies like Tesla, QuantumScape, and Solid Power, along with established chemical companies pivoting to energy, are competing for this talent. Similarly, biologics manufacturing needs chemists for upstream and downstream processing roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do pharmaceutical and chemical companies sponsor chemists for H-1B visas?
Yes, chemist positions are well-suited for H-1B visa sponsorship because they clearly require a bachelor's or advanced degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field. Major employers like Pfizer, Merck, Dow, BASF, DuPont, 3M, and Procter and Gamble regularly sponsor chemists. The role's educational requirements and specialized knowledge make it one of the more straightforward H-1B specialty occupation classifications.
Is chemistry eligible for STEM OPT?
Yes, chemistry and related disciplines (biochemistry, materials science, chemical engineering) are STEM-designated fields, qualifying graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. This provides up to 36 months of total work authorization - 12 months of OPT plus 24 months of STEM extension. This extended period gives you substantial time to prove your value and secure H-1B sponsorship.
Are there cap-exempt research positions for chemists?
Yes, chemistry positions at universities, nonprofit research institutions, and federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) like national laboratories are H-1B cap-exempt. Labs like Argonne, Oak Ridge, Sandia, and Lawrence Berkeley hire research chemists without the H-1B lottery constraint. Academic postdoctoral positions in university chemistry departments are also cap-exempt.
What specializations are in highest demand for chemist roles?
Analytical chemistry (particularly for quality control in pharma), medicinal chemistry (drug discovery), materials science (semiconductors, batteries), and formulation chemistry (consumer products, pharma) have strong and consistent demand. The growing battery and energy storage sector has increased demand for electrochemists and materials chemists. Environmental chemistry and food science chemistry are also growing fields with sponsorship potential.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Chemist 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 chemist 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.
How to find Chemist jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Chemist jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international professionals with sponsoring employers. Focus on pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and chemical manufacturing firms that commonly sponsor H-1B, TN visa, or other work visas for qualified chemists. These employers actively seek international talent for R&D, quality control, and analytical chemistry positions.