Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Postdoctoral researcher roles are among the most reliably sponsored positions in the U.S. Universities and research institutions regularly file H-1B visa, J-1 visa, and O-1 visa petitions for postdocs. Most positions require a completed Ph.D. and are tied to specific grant funding. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout Drexel University
Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a comprehensive, global, R1-level research institution with a unique model of experiential learning that combines academic rigor with one of the nation's premier cooperative education programs. Drexel was founded in 1891 to provide educational opportunities for people of all backgrounds. Today, we continue to prepare graduates of diverse backgrounds to become purpose-driven professionals and agents for positive change.
Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world-class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles. Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award-winning A Healthier U wellness program. In addition, faculty and professional staff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non-certification programs. Drexel also participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions. For more information on our extensive benefit offerings, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.
Job no: 507297
Work type: Full-Time
Location: University City - Philadelphia, PA
Categories: Drexel University, College of Computing and Informatics, College of Engineering
Job Summary
The Deak Laboratory at Drexel University is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our interdisciplinary research program at the interface of immunology, biomaterials, and chemical engineering. The position is supported by two recently funded NIH R01 projects focused on engineering immune responses for immune tolerance and therapeutic vaccination against HIV.
Our laboratory develops biomaterial and chemistry-based approaches to manipulate dendritic cell function and downstream adaptive immune responses. Current projects include engineering tolerogenic dendritic cells for durable, antigen-specific immune tolerance and developing liposomal nanotrap therapeutic vaccines that capture viral particles and redirect them toward productive antigen-presenting cell responses. These projects integrate chemical synthesis, lipid and polymeric biomaterials, nanoparticle formulation and characterization, cellular immunology, flow cytometry, and in vivo studies.
We are particularly interested in a scientist who can take a leadership role within the laboratory while remaining actively engaged in experimental research. The successful candidate will work closely with the PI to coordinate these newly funded projects, mentor junior researchers, and help maintain an organized and productive laboratory environment.
This position is grant-funded; employment is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds.
Essential Functions
- Lead and coordinate research activities associated with NIH-funded projects in immune tolerance engineering and therapeutic vaccination.
- Design, conduct, analyze, and interpret experiments involving biomaterials and immune-cell interactions.
- Prepare and characterize liposomal, lipid-based, and polymeric biomaterial systems.
- Perform or oversee chemical synthesis and conjugation of biomaterial components and targeting molecules.
- Conduct immunological assays, including mammalian cell culture, immune-cell isolation and differentiation, flow cytometry, and related functional assays.
- Coordinate experiments across students, collaborators, and project personnel and help maintain progress toward project milestones.
- Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in experimental design, laboratory techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication.
- Assist with laboratory organization and administration, including ordering, inventory management, equipment maintenance, protocol development, and implementation of laboratory procedures.
- Contribute to manuscripts, presentations, progress reports, and future grant applications.
- Promote rigorous experimental practices, clear documentation, and an organized and collaborative laboratory environment.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of a PhD or Doctorate in Chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, bioengineering, immunology, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, materials science, or a closely related field or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
- Minimum of 5-10 years of research experience.
- Research experience in immunology, bioengineering or immunoengineering.
- Experience with chemical synthesis, biomaterials, drug delivery, nanoparticles, or lipid-based systems.
- Strong experimental, analytical, and scientific communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to experimental documentation and laboratory operations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with dendritic cells, T-cell immunology, immune tolerance, vaccines, or viral immunology.
- Experience with liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, polymeric particles, or related drug-delivery systems.
- Experience with lipid or small-molecule synthesis, bioconjugation, or surface functionalization.
- Experience with multicolor flow cytometry and primary immune-cell culture.
- Experience with animal studies and analysis of immune responses in vivo.
- Previous experience mentoring students or coordinating research projects.
- Demonstrated leadership and laboratory-management skills.
Physical Demands
- Typically sitting at a desk/table.
- Typically standing, walking.
Location
- University City - Philadelphia, PA
Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade K. Compensation for this grade ranges from $60,240.00 - $90,350.00 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position will vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.
Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel’s compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Benefits Brochure.
Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.
Applicants should submit a CV, brief statement of research experience and interests (<1 page), and contact information for references. The research statement should highlight relevant experience in immunology, biomaterials, chemical synthesis, and/or research leadership.
A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.
Advertised: Sep 22 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Oct 22 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
About Drexel University
Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a comprehensive, global, R1-level research institution with a unique model of experiential learning that combines academic rigor with one of the nation's premier cooperative education programs. Drexel was founded in 1891 to provide educational opportunities for people of all backgrounds. Today, we continue to prepare graduates of diverse backgrounds to become purpose-driven professionals and agents for positive change.
Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world-class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles. Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award-winning A Healthier U wellness program. In addition, faculty and professional staff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non-certification programs. Drexel also participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions. For more information on our extensive benefit offerings, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.
Job no: 507297
Work type: Full-Time
Location: University City - Philadelphia, PA
Categories: Drexel University, College of Computing and Informatics, College of Engineering
Job Summary
The Deak Laboratory at Drexel University is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our interdisciplinary research program at the interface of immunology, biomaterials, and chemical engineering. The position is supported by two recently funded NIH R01 projects focused on engineering immune responses for immune tolerance and therapeutic vaccination against HIV.
Our laboratory develops biomaterial and chemistry-based approaches to manipulate dendritic cell function and downstream adaptive immune responses. Current projects include engineering tolerogenic dendritic cells for durable, antigen-specific immune tolerance and developing liposomal nanotrap therapeutic vaccines that capture viral particles and redirect them toward productive antigen-presenting cell responses. These projects integrate chemical synthesis, lipid and polymeric biomaterials, nanoparticle formulation and characterization, cellular immunology, flow cytometry, and in vivo studies.
We are particularly interested in a scientist who can take a leadership role within the laboratory while remaining actively engaged in experimental research. The successful candidate will work closely with the PI to coordinate these newly funded projects, mentor junior researchers, and help maintain an organized and productive laboratory environment.
This position is grant-funded; employment is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds.
Essential Functions
- Lead and coordinate research activities associated with NIH-funded projects in immune tolerance engineering and therapeutic vaccination.
- Design, conduct, analyze, and interpret experiments involving biomaterials and immune-cell interactions.
- Prepare and characterize liposomal, lipid-based, and polymeric biomaterial systems.
- Perform or oversee chemical synthesis and conjugation of biomaterial components and targeting molecules.
- Conduct immunological assays, including mammalian cell culture, immune-cell isolation and differentiation, flow cytometry, and related functional assays.
- Coordinate experiments across students, collaborators, and project personnel and help maintain progress toward project milestones.
- Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in experimental design, laboratory techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication.
- Assist with laboratory organization and administration, including ordering, inventory management, equipment maintenance, protocol development, and implementation of laboratory procedures.
- Contribute to manuscripts, presentations, progress reports, and future grant applications.
- Promote rigorous experimental practices, clear documentation, and an organized and collaborative laboratory environment.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of a PhD or Doctorate in Chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, bioengineering, immunology, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, materials science, or a closely related field or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
- Minimum of 5-10 years of research experience.
- Research experience in immunology, bioengineering or immunoengineering.
- Experience with chemical synthesis, biomaterials, drug delivery, nanoparticles, or lipid-based systems.
- Strong experimental, analytical, and scientific communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to experimental documentation and laboratory operations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with dendritic cells, T-cell immunology, immune tolerance, vaccines, or viral immunology.
- Experience with liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, polymeric particles, or related drug-delivery systems.
- Experience with lipid or small-molecule synthesis, bioconjugation, or surface functionalization.
- Experience with multicolor flow cytometry and primary immune-cell culture.
- Experience with animal studies and analysis of immune responses in vivo.
- Previous experience mentoring students or coordinating research projects.
- Demonstrated leadership and laboratory-management skills.
Physical Demands
- Typically sitting at a desk/table.
- Typically standing, walking.
Location
- University City - Philadelphia, PA
Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade K. Compensation for this grade ranges from $60,240.00 - $90,350.00 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position will vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.
Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel’s compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Benefits Brochure.
Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.
Applicants should submit a CV, brief statement of research experience and interests (<1 page), and contact information for references. The research statement should highlight relevant experience in immunology, biomaterials, chemical synthesis, and/or research leadership.
A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.
Advertised: Sep 22 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Oct 22 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
See all 967+ Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs
Target research universities over private companies
Universities and national labs are cap-exempt H-1B employers, meaning they can file year-round without entering the lottery. This gives postdoc applicants a significant timing advantage over candidates pursuing industry roles.
Understand the J-1 vs. H-1B tradeoff
Many institutions default to J-1 visas for postdocs because they're faster and cheaper to process. Check whether the J-1 carries a two-year home residency requirement before accepting, as it limits future green card options.
Confirm your Ph.D. is the qualifying credential
H-1B sponsorship for postdoc roles requires a specialty occupation match. Your doctorate must be in a field directly related to the research area. A biology Ph.D. supporting a computational biology postdoc is straightforward; a mismatch invites RFEs.
Ask about the institution's immigration support office
Large research universities maintain dedicated international scholar services offices that handle petitions in-house. Smaller institutions may outsource to outside counsel. Knowing this upfront tells you how smoothly the sponsorship process will run.
Factor grant funding into your sponsorship timeline
Postdoc sponsorship is almost always tied to a PI's grant. If the grant expires mid-appointment, your visa status is at risk. Confirm funding duration before signing and ask whether bridge funding exists between grant cycles.
O-1A is a realistic path if you have publications and awards
Postdocs with peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or fellowships may qualify for O-1A status. It's employer-independent and doesn't require a lottery. Talk to your PI about whether your research record supports the petition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do postdoctoral researcher positions commonly come with visa sponsorship?
Yes, postdoc positions at U.S. universities and research institutions are among the most frequently sponsored roles in the country. Most research universities expect to sponsor international candidates and have dedicated staff to manage the process. The most common visa types are H-1B visa (cap-exempt through universities), J-1 visa Exchange Visitor, and O-1A for candidates with strong research records. Browse current sponsored postdoc openings on Migrate Mate.
What is the difference between a J-1 and H-1B visa for postdocs?
The J-1 is faster and less expensive for the sponsoring institution, which is why many universities default to it. However, some J-1 holders are subject to a two-year home residency requirement, which must be fulfilled or waived before switching to H-1B status or applying for a green card. The H-1B, while more complex to file, doesn't carry that restriction and provides a cleaner path to permanent residence.
Does my Ph.D. need to be in the exact field of the postdoc?
Not exact, but closely related. USCIS requires that the position qualifies as a specialty occupation and that your degree supports the specific role. A biochemistry Ph.D. supporting a structural biology postdoc is typically unproblematic. A mismatch between your degree field and the research area is one of the most common reasons postdoc H-1B petitions receive Requests for Evidence. Your PI and the institution's immigration office will assess this before filing.
Can I get a green card as a postdoctoral researcher?
Yes, and the postdoc years are often strategically valuable for building a green card case. The EB-1A (extraordinary ability) and EB-2 NIW (national interest waiver) are the most common pathways. Both self-petition routes benefit directly from the publications, citations, peer review work, and awards that postdocs accumulate. Some institutions also sponsor EB-1B (outstanding researcher) petitions, though that requires employer support.
Are postdoc H-1B petitions subject to the annual lottery?
Not when filed through a qualifying cap-exempt employer. Universities, nonprofit research organizations, and government research institutions are exempt from the 85,000-cap H-1B lottery. This means petitions can be filed at any time of year and take effect as soon as they're approved. It's one of the clearest structural advantages of pursuing a postdoc at an academic or nonprofit research institution over an industry role.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Postdoctoral Researcher 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.