Research Specialist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Research specialist positions typically qualify for H-1B visa, O-1 visa, 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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Office of Research Development
About the Department
The Office of Research Development (ORD) partners with faculty across the University of Chicago in their pursuit of funding for ambitious, interdisciplinary research. Part of the Research Strategy Office within the Office of Research and Partnerships, ORD helps faculty position their ideas for specific funding opportunities, build collaborative teams, and develop competitive proposals, from funding strategy and project management through narrative development, technical review, and final-stage preparation.
ORD also manages the campus-wide platform for internal competitions, including limited submission and seed funding opportunities, and prioritizes team science and capacity-building proposals that strengthen the impact of UChicago's research enterprise.
Job Summary
The Research Development Specialist is an operational and analytical partner within ORD, helping UChicago faculty find and compete for funding. The Specialist identifies and shares funding opportunities, administers the University's limited submission competitions and supporting systems, and develops research intelligence analyses and reports using AI-enabled tools. Reporting to the Executive Director of ORD, the Specialist works closely with ORD colleagues, faculty, research administrators, and university leaders.
We are looking for someone with sound judgment, strong organizational skills, and polished written communication who can manage multiple deadlines and systems independently and build credibility with faculty. The role offers the opportunity to deepen expertise in research development, research analysis, and emerging AI tools.
Responsibilities
- Identifies limited submission opportunities, clarifies sponsor requirements and eligibility, tracks deadlines and institutional limits, and shares opportunities with faculty and research support staff.
- Manages the internal competition process for limited federal opportunities, research-focused foundation opportunities, and seed funding programs.
- Serves as primary contact and global administrator for InfoReady Review (UChicago's limited submission platform) and the funding opportunity database, including user access, onboarding and training, system reporting, and vendor issue resolution.
- Curates ORD's weekly Funding Opportunities newsletter, conducts weekly quality assurance, and coordinates with other units that use the feed to share funding opportunities.
- Monitors the ORD email account, responding to or redirecting inquiries as appropriate.
- Supports proposal development workshops and seminars, and develops templates, toolkits, and best-practice guides for faculty and research teams.
- Contributes to research intelligence analyses and reports on funding trends, institutional strengths, and emerging opportunities, using AI-enabled tools to gather and synthesize information and reviewing outputs for accuracy and clarity.
- Evaluates and applies emerging proposal development and AI-enabled tools to improve the efficiency of ORD processes and the quality and competitiveness of proposals.
- Uses moderate/solid understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries.
- Has moderate/high levels of interactions 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in a STEM field.
Preferred Competencies
- Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, with a demonstrated ability to track deadlines, sponsor eligibility rules, and institutional limits across multiple concurrent competitions and processes.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities independently, keeping many moving parts on track with minimal oversight.
- Technical aptitude to administer web-based software platforms and databases, including managing user access, running system reports, and resolving issues with vendors, and the ability to learn new systems quickly.
- Excellent professional written communication skills, including the ability to summarize complex information clearly for faculty, research administrators, and university leaders.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a service-oriented role, building credibility and productive relationships with faculty and staff across the university.
- Familiarity with AI-enabled tools and a critical approach to evaluating their output, with sound judgment about accuracy and the appropriate handling of confidential information.
- Interest in, and a working understanding of (or ability to quickly learn), research development, research administration, and/or the university research funding landscape.
Working Conditions
- Hybrid work schedule.
- Use computers extensively throughout the workday, 4 hours or more.
- Stand for 2 to 4 hours.
- Sit for 4 hours or more.
- Use standard office equipment.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover letter (preferred)
- References (3 preferred, 2 required)
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
$65,000.00 - $80,000.00
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.
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
Office of Research Development
About the Department
The Office of Research Development (ORD) partners with faculty across the University of Chicago in their pursuit of funding for ambitious, interdisciplinary research. Part of the Research Strategy Office within the Office of Research and Partnerships, ORD helps faculty position their ideas for specific funding opportunities, build collaborative teams, and develop competitive proposals, from funding strategy and project management through narrative development, technical review, and final-stage preparation.
ORD also manages the campus-wide platform for internal competitions, including limited submission and seed funding opportunities, and prioritizes team science and capacity-building proposals that strengthen the impact of UChicago's research enterprise.
Job Summary
The Research Development Specialist is an operational and analytical partner within ORD, helping UChicago faculty find and compete for funding. The Specialist identifies and shares funding opportunities, administers the University's limited submission competitions and supporting systems, and develops research intelligence analyses and reports using AI-enabled tools. Reporting to the Executive Director of ORD, the Specialist works closely with ORD colleagues, faculty, research administrators, and university leaders.
We are looking for someone with sound judgment, strong organizational skills, and polished written communication who can manage multiple deadlines and systems independently and build credibility with faculty. The role offers the opportunity to deepen expertise in research development, research analysis, and emerging AI tools.
Responsibilities
- Identifies limited submission opportunities, clarifies sponsor requirements and eligibility, tracks deadlines and institutional limits, and shares opportunities with faculty and research support staff.
- Manages the internal competition process for limited federal opportunities, research-focused foundation opportunities, and seed funding programs.
- Serves as primary contact and global administrator for InfoReady Review (UChicago's limited submission platform) and the funding opportunity database, including user access, onboarding and training, system reporting, and vendor issue resolution.
- Curates ORD's weekly Funding Opportunities newsletter, conducts weekly quality assurance, and coordinates with other units that use the feed to share funding opportunities.
- Monitors the ORD email account, responding to or redirecting inquiries as appropriate.
- Supports proposal development workshops and seminars, and develops templates, toolkits, and best-practice guides for faculty and research teams.
- Contributes to research intelligence analyses and reports on funding trends, institutional strengths, and emerging opportunities, using AI-enabled tools to gather and synthesize information and reviewing outputs for accuracy and clarity.
- Evaluates and applies emerging proposal development and AI-enabled tools to improve the efficiency of ORD processes and the quality and competitiveness of proposals.
- Uses moderate/solid understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries.
- Has moderate/high levels of interactions 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in a STEM field.
Preferred Competencies
- Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, with a demonstrated ability to track deadlines, sponsor eligibility rules, and institutional limits across multiple concurrent competitions and processes.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities independently, keeping many moving parts on track with minimal oversight.
- Technical aptitude to administer web-based software platforms and databases, including managing user access, running system reports, and resolving issues with vendors, and the ability to learn new systems quickly.
- Excellent professional written communication skills, including the ability to summarize complex information clearly for faculty, research administrators, and university leaders.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a service-oriented role, building credibility and productive relationships with faculty and staff across the university.
- Familiarity with AI-enabled tools and a critical approach to evaluating their output, with sound judgment about accuracy and the appropriate handling of confidential information.
- Interest in, and a working understanding of (or ability to quickly learn), research development, research administration, and/or the university research funding landscape.
Working Conditions
- Hybrid work schedule.
- Use computers extensively throughout the workday, 4 hours or more.
- Stand for 2 to 4 hours.
- Sit for 4 hours or more.
- Use standard office equipment.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover letter (preferred)
- References (3 preferred, 2 required)
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
$65,000.00 - $80,000.00
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.
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.
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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.
Consider O-1 for distinguished researchers
Senior researchers with significant publications, citations, or awards may qualify for O-1 extraordinary ability visas. This path offers faster processing and fewer restrictions than H-1B applications.
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.
Frequently 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 visa, 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 visa 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.