Scientist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Scientist roles are among the most commonly sponsored positions in the U.S., with H-1B visa, O-1 visa, and J-1 visa all being realistic pathways. Pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, national labs, and universities regularly sponsor scientists, and academic positions are often H-1B cap-exempt. If you have a Ph.D. and publications, you're also a strong candidate for O-1 visaA extraordinary ability or EB-1A green card petitions down the line. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Clinical Lab Scientist I
Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Work Schedule: Sunday to Thursday, 2:00PM to 10:30PM
Department: Microbiology
Pay range: $40.00 - $56.44 / hour; employee may be eligible to receive shift differential of 10% for some or all hours worked on second shift and 15% for some or all hours worked on third shift. Additional details on shift differential will be provided if an offer is extended.
Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. Successful candidates may be eligible to receive annual performance bonus compensation.
Benefits information:
We are proud to offer best-in-class benefits and programs to support employees and their families in living healthy, happy lives. Our pay and benefit plans have been designed to promote employee health in all respects – physical, financial, and developmental. Depending on whether it is a part-time or full-time position, some of the benefits offered may include:
- Day 1 Medical, supplemental health, dental & vision for FT employees who work 30+ hours
- Best-in-class well-being programs
- Annual, no-cost health assessment program Blueprint for Wellness®
- healthyMINDS mental health program
- Vacation and Health/Flex Time
- 6 Holidays plus 1 "MyDay" off
- FinFit financial coaching and services
- 401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth IRA with company match up to 5% after 12 months of service
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Life and disability insurance, plus buy-up option
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Annual incentive plans
- Matching gifts program
- Education assistance through MyQuest for Education
- Career advancement opportunities
- and so much more!
This position is accountable for performing clinical laboratory testing, following all applicable policies and procedures.
Quest Diagnostics honors our service members and encourages veterans to apply.
While we appreciate and value our staffing partners, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Quest will not be responsible for paying agency fees for any individual as to whom an agency has sent an unsolicited resume.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets or any other legally protected status.
Responsibilities:
- Independently performs moderate to highly complex clinical tests following the required procedures and policies. Performs newly introduced tests to the laboratory that require defined skills.
- Prepares and oversees the preparation of reagents or media as well as stock solutions, standards, and controls. Tests new reagents or controls and evaluates their usefulness based on standard criteria.
- Determines the acceptability of specimens for testing according to established criteria in testing procedures.
- Determines calculated results utilizing testing data by means of manual or computerized procedures.
- Accurately enters results of testing. Checks the computer review reports to monitor accurate reporting of laboratory results. Adheres to analytical schedules to maintain turnaround times of results.
- Evaluates the acceptability of routine and complex analyses prior to releasing patient reports. Recognizes and takes appropriate action in response to critical values or unusual or unexpected results, and documents action taken.
- Responsible for preventative maintenance, troubleshooting and calibration of laboratory equipment.
- Evaluates the results of instrument performance checks. Performs linearity, accuracy and precision checks as required.
- Performs Quality Control and calibrations with the appropriate frequency and evaluates results, to determine acceptability of result release.
- Selects and evaluates control materials using established criteria. Initiates a corrective action process whenever test systems do not perform according to the established criteria.
- Accurately performs and records proficiency testing.
- Demonstrates the ability to detect and correct technical and operational problems. Notifies the supervisor, and contacts manufacturer or field service support for additional assistance, if necessary.
- Ensures accurate tracking and labeling of reagents and supplies.
- Consistently maintains a safe and neat work area.
- Demonstrates effective two-way communication with staff, immediate manager, suppliers, internal and external customers, via meetings, written and verbal interactions, to create an informed positive environment.
- Actively participates in staff meetings, and in Quality Improvement meetings as assigned.
- Takes on additional business-related responsibilities or projects, as delegated by the Supervisor or Manager. This may include but not be limited to evaluation of new techniques and procedures in terms of personnel and requirements, method comparison, cost analysis, establishment of reference ranges, writing and revising technical procedures, and evaluation of productivity and key results measures.
- Responsible for following all required procedures, practices and related guidelines as provided in company policy and associated procedures for safety, environmental, and infection control.
- Collects and dispose of waste in proper receptacles.
- Demonstrates a high level of integrity and honesty in maintaining confidentiality.
- Provides direct and constant supervision to unlicensed staff as necessary and trains staff in proper performance of both routine and complex procedures. Supports Training Programs, where applicable.
- Maintains professional growth and development through continuing education. The continuing education must meet the education requirements for California state licensure.
- Answers phones, transfers, or takes accurate messages.
- Complies with all health and safety policies, procedures, and practices. Required to use personal protective equipment.
- Other duties as assigned. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities, but rather a general description of work performed by the position.
Required Work Experience:
- Zero to three year’s direct experience in a laboratory setting.
Physical and Mental Requirements:
- The normal performance of duties may require lifting and carrying objects. Objects in the weight range of 1 to 10 pounds are lifted and carried frequently; objects in the weight range of 11 to 25 pounds are lifted and carried occasionally and objects in the weight range of 26 to 50 pounds are seldom lifted and carried. Objects exceeding 50 pounds are not to be lifted or carried without assistance.
- Ability to perform repetitive tasks. Frequent simple grasping, reaching and fine manipulation.
- Ability to sit and/or stand for long periods.
- Have good eye and hand coordination.
- Testing for color blindness will be required upon hiring or transfer into technical functions requiring detection of, or rating of intensity of colors (e.g., Fluorescent microscopy reading).
Skills:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Application (Word, Excel, Outlook)
- Strong typing skills desirable.
- Other automation skills helpful.
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree Medical technology or other life or physical sciences from an accredited college or university. (Required)
Licenses and Certifications:
- Current State Clinical Laboratory Scientist license if necessary (e.g. California) (Required)
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with the following laws if applicable, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act.
Quest believes that conviction records may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship to the following job duties: accessing company property, information, assets, and products including sensitive information; accessing customer data or confidential information, and partnering and regularly working with or supervising other Quest employees and interacting with Quest customers.
MLS, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Lab Scientist, Med Tech, Medical Technologist, CLS, Clinical Lab Scientist.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Scientist
Prioritize universities and nonprofit research institutions
H-1B petitions filed by universities, teaching hospitals, and nonprofit research organizations are exempt from the annual cap. This means no lottery and year-round filing, which is especially valuable in a field where research timelines do not align with the March registration window.
Build a publication record to unlock premium visa pathways
A strong citation history can qualify you for an O-1A visa or EB-1A green card, both of which bypass the H-1B lottery entirely. Even a few well-cited papers in peer-reviewed journals can significantly strengthen your case for extraordinary ability.
Use postdoctoral positions as a visa bridge
Postdoc roles at U.S. universities typically come with J-1 visa or cap-exempt H-1B sponsorship. These positions let you build the credentials needed for O-1A or EB-2 NIW petitions while maintaining legal work status.
Target interdisciplinary roles in high-demand areas
Positions combining data analysis with scientific research - such as computational biology or materials informatics - tend to have strong sponsorship demand. Employers filling these hybrid roles often have fewer qualified domestic candidates, which can strengthen the labor market case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What visa options are available for scientists in the U.S.?
Scientists commonly qualify for H-1B visas as specialty occupation workers, and positions at universities and nonprofit research institutions are cap-exempt. Those with significant publications and citations may qualify for O-1A visas for extraordinary ability in the sciences. For permanent residency, EB-1A (extraordinary ability) and EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) are strong pathways for scientists with a demonstrated research track record.
Do national laboratories sponsor visas for scientists?
Many U.S. national laboratories - including Los Alamos, Sandia, Oak Ridge, and Lawrence Berkeley - regularly sponsor H-1B visas for research scientists. These positions are often cap-exempt because the labs are affiliated with or operated by universities and nonprofit organizations. This means no lottery is required, and petitions can be filed year-round.
How to find Scientist jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Scientist jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international candidates with sponsoring employers. Focus on research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and government agencies that commonly sponsor H-1B, O-1, and EB-2 visas for scientists. These organizations frequently need specialized scientific expertise and are experienced with the visa sponsorship process.
Can I self-petition for a green card as a scientist?
Scientists with advanced degrees and a record of impactful research may qualify for an EB-2 National Interest Waiver, which does not require employer sponsorship. You petition on your own behalf by demonstrating your work benefits the U.S. national interest. A strong publication record, citations, and evidence of real-world impact strengthen the case.
What makes a scientist's H-1B petition strong?
A strong petition clearly connects the job duties to a specific scientific discipline requiring at least a bachelor's degree. Detailed descriptions of research methodologies, specialized techniques, and how the role advances the employer's mission all help. Roles tied to recognized science SOC codes like 19-1042 (Medical Scientists) or 19-2031 (Chemists) reinforce the specialty occupation argument.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Scientist 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 scientist in California 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.