Physics Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Physics professionals, especially those with graduate degrees, are strong candidates for U.S. visa sponsorship. Universities, national laboratories, defense contractors, and tech companies regularly sponsor H-1B visa and O-1 visas for physicists. Ph.D. holders can also pursue EB-1B (outstanding researcher) or EB-2 NIW (national interest waiver) green card pathways. Many positions start as J-1 visa postdocs at research institutions, so watch out for the two-year home residency requirement before transitioning to other visa types. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsAssistant Professor of Physics – (2 Positions)
Job Description Summary, Duties and Responsibilities, Required Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications
Search will be open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by October 15, 2026. Applications received after October 15, 2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.
The University of Rhode Island is the State's flagship land/sea/space grant research university with an enrollment of approximately 18,000 students. The Physics Department has 22 full-time faculty/staff members and offers BS, MS and PhD degrees. URI is in Kingston, RI - a beautiful seaside community that is well connected by car and rail located about an hour away from Boston and 3 hours from New York City.
The Physics Department at the University of Rhode Island (URI) invites applications for two full-time tenure-track positions at an Assistant Professor level beginning in the fall of 2027, specifically for theorists or computational physicists working in the field of Quantum Information Science (QIS). The Department has established multiple new QIS-related degree programs and research groups that include over $8.5M in external funding.
Considerations will be given to applicants who can show expertise and creative ideas for their role as researcher, mentor, and teacher in the QIS program. Applicants working or interested in quantum algorithms, quantum optics, quantum resource theory, and semi-conductor/superconducting quantum computing are encouraged to apply. Points of contact with ongoing research programs in ultrafast spectroscopy, nonlinear optics, astrophysics/gravitation, biological physics, statistical physics, surface and thin film physics are a plus. The Physics Department, College of Arts and Sciences and URI are committed to building and supporting a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community of students and scholars.
Position Summary:
The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate physics courses, advise undergraduate and graduate students toward BS, MS, and PhD degrees, conduct independent and collaborative research, with an expectation of external funding, and be active in service at the levels of Department, College, and University. The successful candidate will also seek collaborations with other researchers at URI including those in Computer Science, Mathematics, Graduate School of Oceanography, Engineering and the Institute for AI and Computational Research.
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED:
- PhD in Physics or a very closely related field.
- Postdoctoral experience.
- Record of scholarly achievement (publications, presentations, awards).
- Demonstrated ability to be an effective teacher of undergraduate and/or graduate physics courses.
- Demonstrated potential for developing and sustaining an independent, externally funded, research program involving undergraduate and graduate students leading to peer-reviewed publications.
- Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.
PREFERRED:
1. Experience in quantum algorithms and quantum information theory.
2. A broader interest in the interdisciplinary field of quantum information science.
3. Demonstrated interest and commitment to increasing the participation of underrepresented students in science through teaching and mentoring.
EEO Statement: URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state's public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.
Union: Tenure Track
Status: Academic Year, Full-time, Tenure-track, Permanent
Department: Physics
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach the following 4 (PDF) documents to your online Faculty Employment Application:
- (#1) Cover letter.
- (#2) Curriculum Vitae - (education, previous appointments, publications, talks, presentations, lectures, conferences, awards, special skills (as one complete document).
- (#3) Statement of Teaching - statement on teaching approach and emphasis in undergraduate and graduate courses (1 page max - as one complete document).
- (#4) Research Plan - outline of planned research program backed up by demonstrated expertise (4 pages max - as one complete document).
Note: Applicants are responsible for having letters from the 3 references sent by email to: searchphysics@etal.uri.edu
Position Number: 109065 & 106385
Posting Number: F00528
Posting Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes
Assistant Professor of Physics – (2 Positions)
Job Description Summary, Duties and Responsibilities, Required Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications
Search will be open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by October 15, 2026. Applications received after October 15, 2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.
The University of Rhode Island is the State's flagship land/sea/space grant research university with an enrollment of approximately 18,000 students. The Physics Department has 22 full-time faculty/staff members and offers BS, MS and PhD degrees. URI is in Kingston, RI - a beautiful seaside community that is well connected by car and rail located about an hour away from Boston and 3 hours from New York City.
The Physics Department at the University of Rhode Island (URI) invites applications for two full-time tenure-track positions at an Assistant Professor level beginning in the fall of 2027, specifically for theorists or computational physicists working in the field of Quantum Information Science (QIS). The Department has established multiple new QIS-related degree programs and research groups that include over $8.5M in external funding.
Considerations will be given to applicants who can show expertise and creative ideas for their role as researcher, mentor, and teacher in the QIS program. Applicants working or interested in quantum algorithms, quantum optics, quantum resource theory, and semi-conductor/superconducting quantum computing are encouraged to apply. Points of contact with ongoing research programs in ultrafast spectroscopy, nonlinear optics, astrophysics/gravitation, biological physics, statistical physics, surface and thin film physics are a plus. The Physics Department, College of Arts and Sciences and URI are committed to building and supporting a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community of students and scholars.
Position Summary:
The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate physics courses, advise undergraduate and graduate students toward BS, MS, and PhD degrees, conduct independent and collaborative research, with an expectation of external funding, and be active in service at the levels of Department, College, and University. The successful candidate will also seek collaborations with other researchers at URI including those in Computer Science, Mathematics, Graduate School of Oceanography, Engineering and the Institute for AI and Computational Research.
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED:
- PhD in Physics or a very closely related field.
- Postdoctoral experience.
- Record of scholarly achievement (publications, presentations, awards).
- Demonstrated ability to be an effective teacher of undergraduate and/or graduate physics courses.
- Demonstrated potential for developing and sustaining an independent, externally funded, research program involving undergraduate and graduate students leading to peer-reviewed publications.
- Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.
PREFERRED:
1. Experience in quantum algorithms and quantum information theory.
2. A broader interest in the interdisciplinary field of quantum information science.
3. Demonstrated interest and commitment to increasing the participation of underrepresented students in science through teaching and mentoring.
EEO Statement: URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state's public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.
Union: Tenure Track
Status: Academic Year, Full-time, Tenure-track, Permanent
Department: Physics
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach the following 4 (PDF) documents to your online Faculty Employment Application:
- (#1) Cover letter.
- (#2) Curriculum Vitae - (education, previous appointments, publications, talks, presentations, lectures, conferences, awards, special skills (as one complete document).
- (#3) Statement of Teaching - statement on teaching approach and emphasis in undergraduate and graduate courses (1 page max - as one complete document).
- (#4) Research Plan - outline of planned research program backed up by demonstrated expertise (4 pages max - as one complete document).
Note: Applicants are responsible for having letters from the 3 references sent by email to: searchphysics@etal.uri.edu
Position Number: 109065 & 106385
Posting Number: F00528
Posting Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Physics Jobs
Target DOE national laboratories for cap-exempt positions
Laboratories like Fermilab, Brookhaven, Lawrence Livermore, and SLAC are operated by universities or nonprofit entities, making their H-1B petitions cap-exempt. Physicists can file year-round without lottery risk, and these labs offer world-class research facilities.
Explore the growing quantum computing sector
Companies like IBM, Google, IonQ, Rigetti, and PsiQuantum are hiring physicists for quantum hardware and algorithm development. This emerging field has a severe talent shortage, which can make employers more willing to sponsor visas for qualified candidates with expertise in quantum mechanics or condensed matter physics.
Understand security clearance limitations before applying
Many physics-related roles in defense and national security require a U.S. security clearance, which is generally limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Focus your search on fundamental research positions, commercial R&D, or university labs where clearance is not required.
Build a strong publication and citation record for extraordinary ability claims
Physics journals like Physical Review Letters and Nature Physics are highly regarded. A strong publication record with meaningful citations can qualify you for O-1A or EB-1A petitions, which bypass the H-1B lottery and provide a faster path to permanent residency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What visa sponsorship options exist for physicists in the U.S.?
Physicists can access H-1B visas for specialty occupation roles, with university and national laboratory positions being cap-exempt. The O-1A visa is available for physicists with extraordinary ability demonstrated through publications, awards, and peer recognition. For permanent residency, EB-1A and EB-2 NIW are strong options, particularly for theoretical or experimental physicists with significant research contributions.
Do Department of Energy national labs sponsor visas for physicists?
Yes, DOE national laboratories like Fermilab, Brookhaven, SLAC, and Argonne regularly sponsor H-1B visas for physicists. Many of these labs are operated by universities or nonprofit organizations, making their H-1B petitions cap-exempt. However, some positions at national labs require security clearances that may only be available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
How to find Physics jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Physics jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international candidates with sponsoring employers. Focus on research institutions, national laboratories, aerospace companies, and tech firms that commonly hire physicists on H-1B, O-1, or EB-2 visas. Filter searches by sponsorship availability and target organizations with established international hiring programs.
Can I work in the U.S. defense or aerospace sector as an international physicist?
Some positions are available, but access is limited by export control regulations (ITAR and EAR) and security clearance requirements. Many defense contractors require U.S. citizenship for classified work. However, roles in fundamental research at university labs or non-classified R&D at companies like Boeing or Lockheed Martin may be accessible to H-1B holders.
Are applied physics roles in the tech industry sponsored?
Yes, companies in the semiconductor, quantum computing, and photonics sectors hire physicists for applied research and development. Employers like Intel, IBM, Applied Materials, and quantum computing startups sponsor H-1B visas for physicists working on hardware development, materials science, and device physics.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Physics 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 physics in Texas 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.