Director Of Research Operations Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Director of Research Operations roles attract H-1B visa and O-1 visa sponsorship from universities, biotech firms, and research institutions. Most require a master's or PhD in a relevant field, and employers regularly sponsor because qualified candidates with operational research leadership experience are scarce. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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UL Inclusive Economy Lab
About the Department
We partner with policymakers, community-based organizations and others to identify their most urgent and pressing challenges, co-generate evidence about what works, and translate findings into policy changes that end intergenerational poverty. By identifying barriers to social mobility and racial equity and highlighting the programs and policies that have the most positive impact, our work aims to create greater economic opportunity. We specialize in evaluating programs with the potential to improve lives in three main areas:
- College and Career Success
- Basic Needs
- Quality Jobs
Job Summary
The job manages academic, research, clinical or administrative programs.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain clear guidelines for how research teams create, organize, store, and access research knowledge and resources, including building out and maintaining the organizational wiki.
- Centralize and streamline IEL's existing research repository, ensuring that prior work and methodological resources are easy to reference.
- Build and manage best practices for onboarding new research team members to IEL's previously published research, so that institutional knowledge transfers effectively as the team grows.
- Manage and work with the Scientific Director to refine project selection. This includes ensuring the completeness and timeliness of materials shared with LOT, following up on next steps for provisionally approved projects, and providing new project updates at staff meetings.
- Support the Scientific Director in formalizing the onboarding of new affiliates.
- Identify potential new affiliates as the Lab builds out new bodies of work, with specific focus on engaging Booth faculty as appropriate.
- Maintain list of current research affiliates and ensure external and internal communication is up to date.
- Support planning and execution of the IEL affiliate speaker series, working closely with the Scientific Director.
- Identify areas for Affiliate Research engagement with the Lab outside of project work.
- Develop and manage annual 360 feedback process for research affiliates.
- Support the scientific director in launching an academic conference focused on applied policy research.
- Identify areas to expand the Lab’s visibility with academic audiences.
- Lead the design and execution of IEL's internal program evaluation curriculum to build RM team capacity in causal inference and impact evaluation methods.
- Manage lab-wide research learning and trainings, including topic planning, speaker coordination, and content development, working closely with the Scientific Director. This includes taking ownership of training Tuesdays and research training components of Town Hall meetings.
- Identify research-related training gaps across the team and develop programming to address them.
- Support the Director of Analytics in launching an internal AI working group across the Lab.
- Develop practical guidance, tools, and standards for incorporating AI responsibly into research workflows, from literature reviews to coding to writing. Launch and support pilots aimed at increasing the efficiency of our work without compromising research quality, rigor, and integrity.
- Work closely with the Scientific Director and Qualitative Research Director to support development of a protocol for mixed methods research.
- Help the lab navigate its integration into Rustandy and Booth by developing clear frameworks and expectations around Rustandy-driven, non-IEL projects that IEL staff will support.
- Field inquiries for research support from Booth faculty and scope our involvement, identifying relevant staff support in collaboration with the DOA and DRM and provide direct research support as necessary/appropriate.
- Establish norms, intake processes, and documentation standards that allow both streams of work to coexist productively.
- Develops and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
- Has a deep understanding when interacting with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, social science, economics, education, or a related field is a plus. Will consider applicants with equivalent professional or lived experience.
Experience:
- Five or more years of experience in applied research, policy, or research operations, with demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects independently.
- Experience in a research coordination, program management, or chief-of-staff-type role, ideally within a university, think tank, or policy research organization.
- Strong working knowledge of program evaluation methods, including randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs, and the ability to communicate methodological concepts to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to design and deliver training or capacity-building programs, particularly related to research methods or evidence use.
- Experience developing knowledge management systems, research repositories, or institutional learning infrastructure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to synthesize complex information and translate it into clear guidance, documentation, and presentations.
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills; comfort working across teams and in a matrixed organizational structure.
- Genuine commitment to racial equity and economic inclusion, with experience working in or alongside communities affected by poverty, segregation, or disinvestment.
- First generation college students and those with lived experience in communities experiencing poverty and disinvestment are encouraged to apply.
Preferred Competencies
- Experience supporting or coordinating academic affiliates, visiting scholars, or research fellows.
- Prior experience planning academic convenings, workshops, or speaker series.
- Familiarity with administrative data partnerships, IRB processes, or research compliance.
- Interest in and experience with responsible AI use in research or policy contexts.
- Experience in workforce development, housing stability, education, or social safety net policy areas.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$89,250.00 - $115,500.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
Department
UL Inclusive Economy Lab
About the Department
We partner with policymakers, community-based organizations and others to identify their most urgent and pressing challenges, co-generate evidence about what works, and translate findings into policy changes that end intergenerational poverty. By identifying barriers to social mobility and racial equity and highlighting the programs and policies that have the most positive impact, our work aims to create greater economic opportunity. We specialize in evaluating programs with the potential to improve lives in three main areas:
- College and Career Success
- Basic Needs
- Quality Jobs
Job Summary
The job manages academic, research, clinical or administrative programs.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain clear guidelines for how research teams create, organize, store, and access research knowledge and resources, including building out and maintaining the organizational wiki.
- Centralize and streamline IEL's existing research repository, ensuring that prior work and methodological resources are easy to reference.
- Build and manage best practices for onboarding new research team members to IEL's previously published research, so that institutional knowledge transfers effectively as the team grows.
- Manage and work with the Scientific Director to refine project selection. This includes ensuring the completeness and timeliness of materials shared with LOT, following up on next steps for provisionally approved projects, and providing new project updates at staff meetings.
- Support the Scientific Director in formalizing the onboarding of new affiliates.
- Identify potential new affiliates as the Lab builds out new bodies of work, with specific focus on engaging Booth faculty as appropriate.
- Maintain list of current research affiliates and ensure external and internal communication is up to date.
- Support planning and execution of the IEL affiliate speaker series, working closely with the Scientific Director.
- Identify areas for Affiliate Research engagement with the Lab outside of project work.
- Develop and manage annual 360 feedback process for research affiliates.
- Support the scientific director in launching an academic conference focused on applied policy research.
- Identify areas to expand the Lab’s visibility with academic audiences.
- Lead the design and execution of IEL's internal program evaluation curriculum to build RM team capacity in causal inference and impact evaluation methods.
- Manage lab-wide research learning and trainings, including topic planning, speaker coordination, and content development, working closely with the Scientific Director. This includes taking ownership of training Tuesdays and research training components of Town Hall meetings.
- Identify research-related training gaps across the team and develop programming to address them.
- Support the Director of Analytics in launching an internal AI working group across the Lab.
- Develop practical guidance, tools, and standards for incorporating AI responsibly into research workflows, from literature reviews to coding to writing. Launch and support pilots aimed at increasing the efficiency of our work without compromising research quality, rigor, and integrity.
- Work closely with the Scientific Director and Qualitative Research Director to support development of a protocol for mixed methods research.
- Help the lab navigate its integration into Rustandy and Booth by developing clear frameworks and expectations around Rustandy-driven, non-IEL projects that IEL staff will support.
- Field inquiries for research support from Booth faculty and scope our involvement, identifying relevant staff support in collaboration with the DOA and DRM and provide direct research support as necessary/appropriate.
- Establish norms, intake processes, and documentation standards that allow both streams of work to coexist productively.
- Develops and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
- Has a deep understanding when interacting with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, social science, economics, education, or a related field is a plus. Will consider applicants with equivalent professional or lived experience.
Experience:
- Five or more years of experience in applied research, policy, or research operations, with demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects independently.
- Experience in a research coordination, program management, or chief-of-staff-type role, ideally within a university, think tank, or policy research organization.
- Strong working knowledge of program evaluation methods, including randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs, and the ability to communicate methodological concepts to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to design and deliver training or capacity-building programs, particularly related to research methods or evidence use.
- Experience developing knowledge management systems, research repositories, or institutional learning infrastructure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to synthesize complex information and translate it into clear guidance, documentation, and presentations.
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills; comfort working across teams and in a matrixed organizational structure.
- Genuine commitment to racial equity and economic inclusion, with experience working in or alongside communities affected by poverty, segregation, or disinvestment.
- First generation college students and those with lived experience in communities experiencing poverty and disinvestment are encouraged to apply.
Preferred Competencies
- Experience supporting or coordinating academic affiliates, visiting scholars, or research fellows.
- Prior experience planning academic convenings, workshops, or speaker series.
- Familiarity with administrative data partnerships, IRB processes, or research compliance.
- Interest in and experience with responsible AI use in research or policy contexts.
- Experience in workforce development, housing stability, education, or social safety net policy areas.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$89,250.00 - $115,500.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
See all Director Of Research Operations Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Director Of Research Operations roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Director Of Research Operations Jobs
Target research-intensive employers
Universities, academic medical centers, and biotech companies sponsor research operations directors far more consistently than general corporations. These organizations have dedicated HR infrastructure for visa petitions and sponsor repeatedly across departments.
Lead with your operational track record
Sponsorship decisions hinge on demonstrating irreplaceability. Quantify the scale of research programs you've managed, budgets overseen, and compliance frameworks you've built. Concrete outcomes make the specialty occupation case stronger for USCIS adjudicators.
Understand the specialty occupation standard
USCIS requires your role to normally demand a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific specialty. For research operations directors, a degree in public health, biology, or research administration typically satisfies this. Generic management degrees alone can weaken the petition.
Ask about visa history during interviews
Some employers have sponsored research operations directors before; others haven't. Asking early whether they've filed H-1B petitions signals you understand the process and helps you gauge how much internal education you'll need to provide.
Consider O-1A if H-1B lottery is a concern
Directors with published research, major grant funding, or recognized leadership roles in national associations may qualify for the O-1A visa, which has no annual cap or lottery. It rewards demonstrable impact over academic credentials alone.
Get your credentials evaluated if your degree is foreign
If you earned your degree outside the U.S., a credential evaluation from a NACES-member evaluator is essential. Research operations roles often require field-specific degrees, so confirming equivalency before applying prevents delays in the petition process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Director of Research Operations roles typically qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. Director of Research Operations positions generally qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations because they normally require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as research administration, public health, life sciences, or a related discipline. Employers at universities, hospital systems, and biotech firms sponsor this title regularly. Roles that blend general management with research oversight can face closer USCIS scrutiny, so the job description must clearly articulate the degree requirement.
What degree do employers typically require for a sponsored Director of Research Operations role?
Most employers require at least a master's degree in a relevant field, with a PhD preferred for positions at research universities or NIH-funded institutions. Common qualifying fields include research administration, public health, biomedical sciences, clinical research, or a discipline directly related to the research programs being managed. A general business or MBA degree alone may not satisfy USCIS specialty occupation requirements without substantial field-specific experience.
How does the H-1B lottery affect my chances of getting sponsored in this role?
If you're subject to the H-1B cap, your petition enters the annual lottery, which selected roughly 25% of registrations in recent fiscal years. However, many Director of Research Operations positions are at cap-exempt employers, particularly universities, nonprofit research institutions, and affiliated teaching hospitals. Cap-exempt employers can file H-1B petitions year-round with no lottery, making them significantly more practical targets if you're currently outside H-1B status.
Could I qualify for an O-1A visa as a Director of Research Operations?
Possibly, if your career includes markers of distinction recognized by USCIS under the O-1A criteria. These include peer-reviewed publications, major grants awarded in your name, judging the work of others in your field, a critical role at a distinguished institution, or membership in selective professional associations. Research operations leaders who have built national programs, secured large federal funding, or hold leadership roles in organizations like NCURA may have a credible O-1A case worth evaluating with an immigration attorney.
Where can I find Director of Research Operations jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate curates visa-sponsorship-friendly job listings specifically for international candidates, making it a practical starting point for this search. Beyond the job board, focus your outreach on R1 research universities, academic medical centers, and federally funded research institutes, where sponsorship infrastructure already exists. Filtering by employer type before applying saves significant time, since sponsorship willingness varies sharply between sectors.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Director Of Research Operations 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.