Post Doctoral Fellow Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Post Doctoral Fellow positions are among the most reliably sponsored research roles in the U.S. Universities and research institutions routinely file H-1B visa, J-1 visa, or O-1 visa petitions for postdocs. A doctoral degree in a directly related field is required, and most employers sponsor international candidates as standard practice.
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Get Access To All JobsPosting Number RTF00204PO26
USC Market Title Post Doctoral Fellow
Business Title (Internal Title) Post Doctoral Fellow
Campus Columbia
Work County Richland
College/Division College of Arts and Sciences
Department CAS School of Earth, Ocean and Environment
Anticipated Hiring Range $69,000
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time Full Time
Hours per Week 37.5
Work Schedule
* Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm. Schedule may change to meet the needs of the school or college.
* Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Type of Staff Position Staff Research Grant (SRGP)
Basis 12 months
Job Search Category Post-doctoral
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below
The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
South Carolina Retirement Yes
State Insurance Programs Yes
Annual Leave Yes
Sick Leave Yes
Advertised Job Summary
Join the University of South Carolina’s School of Earth, Ocean and Environment and contribute to innovative computational research addressing important questions in ocean, coastal, and climate science. The successful candidate will conduct research in areas such as large-scale and regional ocean dynamics, coastal circulation, ocean–ecosystem interactions, water-mass analysis, and regional climate downscaling, with a primary focus on developing, implementing, and analyzing high-resolution regional ocean simulations.
Working within a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment, the candidate will conduct numerical experiments, analyze physical and biogeochemical model outputs, and compare model results with observational and reanalysis datasets. The position also offers opportunities to coordinate research activities, publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, contribute to scientific reports and research proposals, and present research at professional conferences.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience
* Requires a Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree in area of research specialty by the start date of employment.
Preferred Qualifications
* Preferred Expertise in physical oceanography and/or environmental fluid mechanics
* Expertise in ocean circulation modeling
* Ability to independently design and generate simulations using the Regional Oceanic Modeling System (ROMS) or other related codes (e.g., MOM6) realistic and/or idealized configurations.
* Ability to analyze TB of NetCDF ocean model output
* Fluency in Fortran, Python, and/or Matlab
* Demonstrated record of independently led research
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
* Fluency in Fortran, Python, and/or Matlab
* Demonstrated record of independently led research
Job Duties
Lead Independent Research Activities. Design, develop, and conduct independent laboratory, computational, and/or field research aligned with grant objectives. Develop experimental protocols, troubleshoot methodologies, interpret results, and ensure research quality and scientific integrity.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 35
Research Data Analysis and Scientific Computing. Analyze complex biological, environmental, genomic, computational, or physical datasets using advanced statistical and computational methods. Develop data visualization products and synthesize findings to support research conclusions.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 25
Grant Support, Publications, and Scientific Communication. Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, contribute to grant proposals and progress reports, present research findings at scientific meetings, and collaborate with funding agencies and research partners as appropriate.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 20
Laboratory Research Coordination. Coordinate day-to-day research activities, oversee laboratory operations, maintain specialized scientific equipment, ensure compliance with laboratory safety requirements, and provide technical guidance and mentoring to students and research personnel.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 10
Program Development and Professional Collaboration. Participate in collaborative research initiatives, establish partnerships with internal and external investigators, assist in developing new research directions, and perform other related duties that support the department’s research mission and sponsored programs.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 5
Other duties. Additional duties assigned to further enhance the development of the research project and the department.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 5
Position Attributes
Hazardous weather category Non-Essential
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. No
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date 09/16/2026
Position End Date 09/15/2028
Job Open Date 09/02/2026
Job Close Date 10/17/2026
Open Until Filled No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Positions are advertised for a minimum of thirty (30) business days on our job website. After thirty (30) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by October 17, 2026.
EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.
Posting Number RTF00204PO26
USC Market Title Post Doctoral Fellow
Business Title (Internal Title) Post Doctoral Fellow
Campus Columbia
Work County Richland
College/Division College of Arts and Sciences
Department CAS School of Earth, Ocean and Environment
Anticipated Hiring Range $69,000
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time Full Time
Hours per Week 37.5
Work Schedule
* Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm. Schedule may change to meet the needs of the school or college.
* Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Type of Staff Position Staff Research Grant (SRGP)
Basis 12 months
Job Search Category Post-doctoral
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below
The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
South Carolina Retirement Yes
State Insurance Programs Yes
Annual Leave Yes
Sick Leave Yes
Advertised Job Summary
Join the University of South Carolina’s School of Earth, Ocean and Environment and contribute to innovative computational research addressing important questions in ocean, coastal, and climate science. The successful candidate will conduct research in areas such as large-scale and regional ocean dynamics, coastal circulation, ocean–ecosystem interactions, water-mass analysis, and regional climate downscaling, with a primary focus on developing, implementing, and analyzing high-resolution regional ocean simulations.
Working within a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment, the candidate will conduct numerical experiments, analyze physical and biogeochemical model outputs, and compare model results with observational and reanalysis datasets. The position also offers opportunities to coordinate research activities, publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, contribute to scientific reports and research proposals, and present research at professional conferences.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience
* Requires a Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree in area of research specialty by the start date of employment.
Preferred Qualifications
* Preferred Expertise in physical oceanography and/or environmental fluid mechanics
* Expertise in ocean circulation modeling
* Ability to independently design and generate simulations using the Regional Oceanic Modeling System (ROMS) or other related codes (e.g., MOM6) realistic and/or idealized configurations.
* Ability to analyze TB of NetCDF ocean model output
* Fluency in Fortran, Python, and/or Matlab
* Demonstrated record of independently led research
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
* Fluency in Fortran, Python, and/or Matlab
* Demonstrated record of independently led research
Job Duties
Lead Independent Research Activities. Design, develop, and conduct independent laboratory, computational, and/or field research aligned with grant objectives. Develop experimental protocols, troubleshoot methodologies, interpret results, and ensure research quality and scientific integrity.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 35
Research Data Analysis and Scientific Computing. Analyze complex biological, environmental, genomic, computational, or physical datasets using advanced statistical and computational methods. Develop data visualization products and synthesize findings to support research conclusions.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 25
Grant Support, Publications, and Scientific Communication. Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, contribute to grant proposals and progress reports, present research findings at scientific meetings, and collaborate with funding agencies and research partners as appropriate.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 20
Laboratory Research Coordination. Coordinate day-to-day research activities, oversee laboratory operations, maintain specialized scientific equipment, ensure compliance with laboratory safety requirements, and provide technical guidance and mentoring to students and research personnel.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 10
Program Development and Professional Collaboration. Participate in collaborative research initiatives, establish partnerships with internal and external investigators, assist in developing new research directions, and perform other related duties that support the department’s research mission and sponsored programs.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 5
Other duties. Additional duties assigned to further enhance the development of the research project and the department.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 5
Position Attributes
Hazardous weather category Non-Essential
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. No
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date 09/16/2026
Position End Date 09/15/2028
Job Open Date 09/02/2026
Job Close Date 10/17/2026
Open Until Filled No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Positions are advertised for a minimum of thirty (30) business days on our job website. After thirty (30) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by October 17, 2026.
EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.
See all 116+ Post Doctoral Fellow Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Post Doctoral Fellow roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Post Doctoral Fellow Jobs
Target research universities and national labs first
Universities and federally funded research institutions sponsor postdocs at far higher rates than private employers. Institutions like MIT, Stanford, and NIH-affiliated labs have dedicated international offices that handle visa petitions routinely, making the process more predictable.
Clarify whether the offer is J-1 or H-1B
Many universities default to the J-1 exchange visitor visa for postdocs because it is cheaper and faster to process. If you have a two-year home residency requirement on a prior J-1, ask about H-1B sponsorship before accepting an offer.
Apply before your OPT or grace period expires
Postdoc searches take time, and H-1B cap-exempt filings at universities can still take 30 to 60 days. Start applications at least three months before your current authorization ends to leave room for processing and any requests for evidence.
Confirm your degree field matches the posted position
USCIS requires a direct relationship between your doctoral field and the postdoc role. A chemistry PhD supporting a biochemistry postdoc is generally accepted. A business PhD applying for a molecular biology postdoc will face a specialty occupation challenge.
Ask about O-1A eligibility if you have strong publications
Postdocs with peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or fellowships may qualify for the O-1A extraordinary ability visa. This bypasses the H-1B lottery entirely and is employer-agnostic, giving you more flexibility if a university cannot sponsor.
Use Migrate Mate to find postdoc roles that explicitly sponsor
Many postdoc listings do not advertise visa sponsorship clearly. Migrate Mate filters roles by sponsorship availability, so you can focus your applications on positions where the employer has already committed to supporting international candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do universities typically sponsor international Post Doctoral Fellows?
Yes. Universities and research institutions are cap-exempt H-1B visa employers, meaning they can file petitions year-round without entering the lottery. Most major research universities have international scholar offices that process postdoc visas routinely. Sponsorship for postdocs at these institutions is standard practice, not an exception.
What visa is most commonly used for Post Doctoral Fellows in the U.S.?
The J-1 visa Exchange Visitor visa is the most common for postdocs because universities can issue the DS-2019 form directly without USCIS involvement, making it faster and cheaper. The H-1B is the alternative when the J-1 is not suitable, particularly if the candidate has a two-year home residency requirement from a prior J or Q visa.
Does my doctoral degree need to exactly match the postdoc research area?
It needs to be closely related, not identical. USCIS evaluates whether your degree field provides the theoretical foundation for the postdoc role. A neuroscience PhD supporting a cognitive psychology postdoc is typically accepted. However, degrees in unrelated disciplines will not satisfy the specialty occupation requirement, and an RFE or denial becomes likely.
Can I do a Post Doctoral Fellowship at a private company on a sponsored visa?
Yes, but private sector postdocs are subject to the H-1B annual cap and lottery, unlike university positions. Companies like pharmaceutical firms and national research labs do sponsor postdocs, but timing is more constrained. If selected in the lottery, you can start October 1 of that fiscal year. Browse Migrate Mate to find private sector postdoc roles that sponsor.
What are the chances my H-1B petition gets approved for a Post Doctoral Fellow role?
Postdoc roles at cap-exempt universities bypass the lottery entirely, so approval depends on petition quality, not selection odds. For cap-subject positions, USCIS approved over 95% of H-1B petitions for research and education occupations in recent fiscal years. A well-documented petition with your dissertation, publications, and a detailed employer support letter significantly strengthens approval prospects.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Post Doctoral Fellow 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.