Research Specialist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Research specialist positions typically qualify for H-1B visa, O-1, and EB-2 visa sponsorship due to their specialized nature and advanced degree requirements. Most roles require master's or PhD-level qualifications in relevant fields, making them strong candidates for employment-based immigration pathways. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsDepartment Pathology Lab Med - Research-413804
Career Area Research Professionals
Is this an internal only recruitment? No
Posting Open Date 04/28/2026
Application Deadline 05/05/2026
Position Type Permanent Staff (SHRA)
Position Title Research Specialist - Journey
Salary Grade Equivalent MH15 / GN10
Working Title Research Specialist
Position Number 20075781
Vacancy ID P020983
Full-time/Part-time Permanent/Time-Limited Full-Time Time-Limited
If time-limited, estimated duration of appointment 3 years
Hours per week 40
Work Schedule
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Work Location CHAPEL HILL, NC
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range $61,937 - $72,260
Pay Band Information
To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.
Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.
Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We prepare tomorrow’s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.
Position Summary
The primary responsibility of the Research Specialist position is to manage research laboratory operations and perform experiments aimed at defining blood clotting pathways in health and disease. The Research Specialist will oversee mouse husbandry, genotyping, and other tasks necessary to maintain a large and complex mouse colony. Duties will include detailed record-keeping, maintenance and renewal of IACUC protocols, animal use reporting, and interactions with UNC Division of Comparative Medicine staff. Duties will also include regular interactions with research laboratory members in experiment planning and presentations to laboratory members on colony status.
The Research Specialist will perform activities needed to support general lab functioning and maintenance; these include but are not limited to autoclaving, EHS requirements and reporting, IRB requirements and reporting, placing and tracking materials orders, maintaining and ordering laboratory supplies, organizing paperwork, maintaining regulatory documents, and orienting student members on general laboratory organization and functioning. The Research Specialist will perform scientific experiments and analyses as requested by the PI. These activities may include but are not limited to experiments to examine blood clot formation and quality, histology, microscopy, cell culture, media and reagent preparation, and immunoassays. These activities also include procedures involving mice and mouse models of disease, including but not limited to phlebotomy, injections, and models of bleeding, thrombosis, and cancer.
The Research Specialist will be expected to modify protocols as requested and execute next experimental steps using independent judgement and in consultation and review with the PI and laboratory members. The Research Specialist will be expected to summarize and present well-organized data in the form of graphs, tables, or written reports as appropriate to the PI, laboratory members, and collaborators. The Research Specialist will be expected to review and provide feedback on abstracts, posters, and manuscripts intended for submission for peer-review and publication. The Research Specialist will be expected to onboard, train, and support new laboratory personnel, including technicians, undergraduate researchers, visiting scholars, and other personnel.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Management Preferences
- Hands-on experience with mouse colony management and procedures including genotyping; subcutaneous, retroorbital and tail vein injections; phlebotomy; and humane endpoints.
- Experience in wet lab protocols including pipetting, cell culture, microscopy, immunoassays, and histology.
- Experience in human phlebotomy.
- Demonstration of substantive contributions to scientific projects in the form of written acknowledged or co-author roles on peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Required Licenses/Certifications
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
Position/Schedule Requirements
Animal Handler (non-DLAM), Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens, Laboratory, Overtime occasionally
Department Pathology Lab Med - Research-413804
Career Area Research Professionals
Is this an internal only recruitment? No
Posting Open Date 04/28/2026
Application Deadline 05/05/2026
Position Type Permanent Staff (SHRA)
Position Title Research Specialist - Journey
Salary Grade Equivalent MH15 / GN10
Working Title Research Specialist
Position Number 20075781
Vacancy ID P020983
Full-time/Part-time Permanent/Time-Limited Full-Time Time-Limited
If time-limited, estimated duration of appointment 3 years
Hours per week 40
Work Schedule
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Work Location CHAPEL HILL, NC
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range $61,937 - $72,260
Pay Band Information
To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.
Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.
Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We prepare tomorrow’s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.
Position Summary
The primary responsibility of the Research Specialist position is to manage research laboratory operations and perform experiments aimed at defining blood clotting pathways in health and disease. The Research Specialist will oversee mouse husbandry, genotyping, and other tasks necessary to maintain a large and complex mouse colony. Duties will include detailed record-keeping, maintenance and renewal of IACUC protocols, animal use reporting, and interactions with UNC Division of Comparative Medicine staff. Duties will also include regular interactions with research laboratory members in experiment planning and presentations to laboratory members on colony status.
The Research Specialist will perform activities needed to support general lab functioning and maintenance; these include but are not limited to autoclaving, EHS requirements and reporting, IRB requirements and reporting, placing and tracking materials orders, maintaining and ordering laboratory supplies, organizing paperwork, maintaining regulatory documents, and orienting student members on general laboratory organization and functioning. The Research Specialist will perform scientific experiments and analyses as requested by the PI. These activities may include but are not limited to experiments to examine blood clot formation and quality, histology, microscopy, cell culture, media and reagent preparation, and immunoassays. These activities also include procedures involving mice and mouse models of disease, including but not limited to phlebotomy, injections, and models of bleeding, thrombosis, and cancer.
The Research Specialist will be expected to modify protocols as requested and execute next experimental steps using independent judgement and in consultation and review with the PI and laboratory members. The Research Specialist will be expected to summarize and present well-organized data in the form of graphs, tables, or written reports as appropriate to the PI, laboratory members, and collaborators. The Research Specialist will be expected to review and provide feedback on abstracts, posters, and manuscripts intended for submission for peer-review and publication. The Research Specialist will be expected to onboard, train, and support new laboratory personnel, including technicians, undergraduate researchers, visiting scholars, and other personnel.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Management Preferences
- Hands-on experience with mouse colony management and procedures including genotyping; subcutaneous, retroorbital and tail vein injections; phlebotomy; and humane endpoints.
- Experience in wet lab protocols including pipetting, cell culture, microscopy, immunoassays, and histology.
- Experience in human phlebotomy.
- Demonstration of substantive contributions to scientific projects in the form of written acknowledged or co-author roles on peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Required Licenses/Certifications
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
Position/Schedule Requirements
Animal Handler (non-DLAM), Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens, Laboratory, Overtime occasionally
See all 1,018+ Research Specialist jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Research Specialist
Emphasize specialized research methodologies
Highlight expertise in advanced statistical analysis, experimental design, or specialized software. Research sponsors value technical skills that demonstrate the specialty occupation requirement for H-1B petitions.
Target research institutions and think tanks
Universities, government contractors, and policy institutes frequently sponsor visas for research roles. These employers understand the immigration process and often have dedicated legal support for foreign talent.
Document publications and academic credentials
Research publications, conference presentations, and academic collaborations strengthen visa applications. This evidence supports both specialty occupation requirements and demonstrates your established expertise in the field.
Leverage interdisciplinary experience
Research roles often span multiple fields, from data science to policy analysis. Broad expertise can open opportunities with diverse employers who need specialized research capabilities across disciplines.
Network through academic conferences
Research conferences provide direct access to potential sponsors. Many employers recruit at academic events and understand the value of hiring international researchers with specialized knowledge and methodological expertise.
Research Specialist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Research Specialist JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do research specialist positions qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, most research specialist roles qualify as specialty occupations requiring advanced degrees in fields like economics, psychology, or data science. Employers must demonstrate the position requires specialized knowledge and that you possess the relevant educational background and experience to perform the research functions.
What degree do I need for research specialist visa sponsorship?
Most positions require a master's degree or higher in the relevant research field, such as statistics, social sciences, or natural sciences. Some roles accept a bachelor's degree with extensive research experience, but graduate-level education significantly strengthens both job prospects and visa applications for specialized research positions.
How to find Research Specialist jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Research Specialist jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international candidates with sponsoring employers. Research Specialist roles are commonly available with H-1B, O-1, and TN visa sponsorship at biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical firms, academic institutions, government contractors, and research organizations. These employers frequently sponsor qualified international researchers with specialized expertise in their field.
Which visa types work best for research specialists?
H-1B is most common for standard research roles, while O-1 suits distinguished researchers with significant publications or awards. EB-2 provides a direct green card path for those with advanced degrees. J-1 exchange visitor visas work for academic research positions with training components at universities.
Do government contractors sponsor research specialists?
Yes, many government contractors sponsor H-1B and other visas for research specialists, especially those working on defense, health, or policy research. However, some classified projects require U.S. citizenship, limiting opportunities. Focus on contractors with unclassified research divisions or commercial research operations.
How do I demonstrate specialized knowledge for research roles?
Highlight expertise in advanced methodologies, specialized software, or niche research areas that aren't commonly taught at undergraduate level. Publications, conference presentations, and unique technical skills in statistical modeling or experimental design help establish the specialized nature required for visa approval.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Research Specialist 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.
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