Clinical Research Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Clinical research roles at pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and academic medical centers are strong candidates for H-1B sponsorship due to the specialized regulatory knowledge required. Familiarity with Good Clinical Practice guidelines, ICH standards, FDA regulations, and clinical trial management systems positions international candidates well for both temporary and long-term visa pathways. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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INTRODUCTION
When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.
ABOUT THE JOB
Has been awarded or has completed the requirements for a doctoral degree or foreign equivalent. Is a trainee pursuing advanced studies beyond the doctoral level in preparation for an independent career in a biomedical field. In collaboration with and under the mentorship of the Principle Investigator (PI), a Research Fellow engages in activities that will further his or her professional development.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Abides by the institutional policies of BIDMC relating to health and safety, equality of opportunity and data storage and management. (essential)
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As a member of the research team, actively pursues research under the supervision of a principal investigator while developing skills for independent work. (essential)
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Receives training in and performs duties contributing to the investigational work of the team including formulation of research questions and design, conduct of experiments, and evaluation of results. (essential)
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Prepares and publishes scientific manuscripts under direction of PI. (essential)
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Develops expertise in desired lab skills/informatics/physics/clinical research. Develops proficiency with research tools and equipment. Develops ability to work with more independence as the fellowship progresses (essential)
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Develops new ideas that promote current research; brings new expertise to the research program. (essential)
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Teaching skills and provide supervision of students and their projects when appropriate. (essential)
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Engages in collaborative meetings with other research groups. Attends and leads scientific seminars. (essential)
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Learns to identify, acknowledge and correct deficiencies in one's own performance. (essential)
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Under the direction of PI, pursues/secures independent funding near the end of the fellowship. (essential)
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
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Doctoral Degree or M.D.
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0-1 year of postdoctoral research experience in academic or industrial lab setting, and/or teaching assistantship in a university setting, and/or residency, and/or clinical duties beyond that of the qualifying doctoral degree.
COMPETENCIES:
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Decision Making: Ability to make decisions that are guided by general instructions and practices requiring some interpretation. May make recommendations for solving problems of moderate complexity and importance.
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Problem Solving: Ability to address problems that are varied, requiring analysis or interpretation of the situation using direct observation, knowledge and skills based on general precedents.
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Independence of Action: Ability to follow precedents and procedures. May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines. Seeks assistance when confronted with difficult and/or unpredictable situations. Work progress is monitored by supervisor/manager.
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Written Communications: Ability to summarize and communicate in English moderately complex information in varied written formats to internal and external customers.
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Oral Communications: Ability to comprehend and communicate complex verbal information in English to medical center staff, patients, families and external customers.
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Knowledge: Ability to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of concepts, practices and policies with the ability to use them in complex varied situations.
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Team Work: Ability to lead collaborative teams for larger projects or groups both internal and external to the Medical Center and across functional areas. Results have implications for the management and operations of multiple areas of the organization.
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Customer Service: Ability to provide a high level of customer service and staff training to meet customer service standards and expectations for the assigned unit(s). Resolves service issues in the assigned unit(s) in a timely and respectful manner.
PHYSICAL NATURE OF THE JOB:
Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently to move objects. Some elements of the job are sedentary, but the employee will be required to stand for periods of time or move throughout the hospital campus.
PAY RANGE:
$60,000.00 USD – $75,564.00 USD
The pay range listed for this position is the annual base salary range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law.
As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment.
More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/VETERANS/DISABLED
JOB DETAILS
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Employment: Full-time
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Hours/Week: 40
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Shift: Day
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Category: Medical/Clinical Research
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Pay Range: $60,000.00 USD - $75,564.00 USD
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FLSA: Exempt
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Req ID: JR92103

How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Clinical Research
Target pharma and biotech companies that regularly sponsor
Pfizer, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Roche/Genentech, Novartis, AbbVie, and Amgen all sponsor H-1B visas for clinical research professionals. These companies hire clinical research associates, biostatisticians, and clinical data managers under SOC codes like 19-1042 (Medical Scientists).
Apply to contract research organizations
CROs like IQVIA, Parexel, PPD (Thermo Fisher), and Syneos Health employ thousands of clinical research professionals and have active H-1B sponsorship programs. CROs offer broad therapeutic area exposure and often promote from within, giving you a path to more senior sponsored roles.
Use STEM OPT to build your track record
Degrees in biology, chemistry, biostatistics, or epidemiology qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. That gives you up to 3 years of post-graduation work authorization - enough time to earn your CRA certification and demonstrate the track record employers want before filing an H-1B.
Explore cap-exempt positions at university medical centers
Research roles at university-affiliated medical centers and teaching hospitals like those affiliated with Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and UCSF are H-1B cap-exempt. No lottery required and you can file any time of year, which removes the biggest uncertainty from the H-1B process.
Get ACRP or SoCRA certified
The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) offer certifications widely recognized in the industry. These credentials demonstrate specialized expertise and can strengthen both your job applications and your H-1B specialty occupation argument.
Build toward an O-1 if you have significant publications
Clinical researchers with peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or contributions to major drug approvals may qualify for the O-1A visa for extraordinary ability in science. This visa has no annual cap and no lottery - it's based entirely on your professional track record.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Which certifications strengthen a clinical research visa sponsorship application?
The Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) from ACRP and the Certified Clinical Research Professional from SOCRA are the most recognized credentials. Additional certifications in clinical data management, pharmacovigilance, or regulatory affairs from the Drug Information Association further strengthen the petition. While certifications do not replace the bachelor's degree requirement for H-1B, they provide concrete evidence that the role demands specialized knowledge beyond general scientific training.
Is it better to seek sponsorship from a pharmaceutical company or a contract research organization?
Both are viable, but they differ in structure. Large pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson have established immigration departments, higher average compensation, and more predictable sponsorship timelines. Contract research organizations like IQVIA, PPD, and Parexel sponsor frequently but may offer lower starting salaries and assign candidates to rotating client projects. Pharma companies are generally better for long-term career stability and green card sponsorship, while CROs provide broader exposure to different therapeutic areas.
Do clinical research roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your specific degree. Degrees in biostatistics, epidemiology, pharmacology, biomedical science, and related STEM fields qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Degrees in public health or health sciences may or may not qualify depending on the specific CIP code assigned by your university. Check with your international student office to confirm whether your degree program has a STEM-designated CIP code before relying on the extension in your career planning.
What clinical research subspecialties have the strongest sponsorship demand?
Clinical data management, biostatistics, and regulatory affairs are the subspecialties with the highest sponsorship demand because they require specialized technical and regulatory knowledge. Clinical operations roles focused on global trial coordination are also strongly sponsored, particularly at companies running multi-country studies. Pharmacovigilance and medical writing roles are growing areas where international candidates with the right qualifications face less domestic competition.
Can regulatory affairs experience improve my sponsorship prospects in clinical research?
Yes. Regulatory affairs professionals who understand FDA submission processes, IND/NDA filings, and GCP compliance are in high demand because this knowledge directly affects a company's ability to bring drugs to market. The specialized regulatory expertise makes the specialty occupation argument very clear for USCIS, and the role typically commands salaries well above prevailing wage thresholds. RAC (Regulatory Affairs Certification) from RAPS further strengthens both your candidacy and the visa petition.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Clinical Research 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 clinical research 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 Page.
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