Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Senior Clinical Research Scientists are among the more sponsorship-friendly roles in biotech and pharma, employers routinely file H-1B and O-1 petitions for qualified candidates. A master's or doctoral degree in a life sciences field is typically required, and most sponsors are large pharmaceutical companies, CROs, or academic medical centers. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across a diverse array of technology platforms, including autologous and allogenic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, T-cell receptor (TCR-T), and natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. From our three R&D sites around the world, we apply these innovative technologies to pursue the discovery of safe, efficacious and cutting-edge therapeutics for patients worldwide.
Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Janssen, one of the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, to jointly develop and commercialize ciltacabtagene autolecuel (cilta-cel). Our strategic partnership is designed to combine the strengths and expertise of both companies to advance the promise of an immunotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
Legend Biotech is seeking a Senior Clinical Research Scientist as part of the Clinical Development team based in Somerset, NJ.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Clinical Research Scientist (CS) in Clinical Development is an important role in the company supporting the development and life cycle of drug development projects. The Clinical Research Scientist will work closely with the Clinical Trial Lead/Medical Lead and Clinical Trial Manager to design and implement clinical trial protocols and manage sites, CROs and other associated work. In addition, the CS will support their manager to ensure program consistency & alignment across studies, working closely with cross-functional teams for achieving project goals, within timelines & with high quality. This clinical scientist will support early phase drug development in autoimmune indications.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Responsible to ensure the data review and cleaning activities meet the quality standards to support database locks in collaboration with data management and medical lead/clinical trial lead. Uses clinical and disease state knowledge to make recommendations for methods and strategy for data cleaning approach.
- Collaborate with other functions to successfully support the planning and execution of clinical studies. Provides independent leadership of all areas requiring clinical input with oversight from the assigned Clinical Trial Lead/Medical Lead, and provides innovative and quality solutions for assigned problems and tasks.
- Provides clinical input and strategic recommendations for the planning and implementation of assigned clinical trial(s) including investigator selection, patient recruitment, feasibility questionnaire, training PowerPoints, and supporting Ethics committee submissions.
- Contributes to the strategic planning, preparation, and review of clinical documents (Protocol, ICFs, CSR, investigator brochure). May lead certain documents or sections of documents, including incorporation of input from other cross-functional team members.
- Provides clinical input and strategic recommendations for regulatory documents needed for all stages of assigned trial lifecycle (IND documentation, HA briefing books, BLAs, and Orphan Drug Applications).
- Responsible for clinical portions of key data management/statistical documents (eg: Case Report Forms, edit checks, data review plan and reports).
- Contribute to the planning and execution of external meetings and internal stakeholder meetings (e.g., Ad Boards, IMs, Governance, DMCs, Regulatory Authority, Dose Escalation meeting); responds to or triages questions for appropriate escalations. May have a speaking role on meetings when appropriate.
- Supports their manager when asked to contribute to harmonization between clinical trials and process improvement initiatives.
- May have the authority to make decisions related to issuing data cleaning queries and can decide whether there is a need to escalate for further discussion with the medical lead. They may also be delegated tasks from the clinical trial lead/medical lead for which they have decision making authority e.g. comment resolution when leading document creation.
REQUIREMENTS
- At least a Bachelor's degree in life science discipline.
- Bachelor's degree with 4+ years'; or MS with 3+ years'; or PharmD/PhD with 2+ years of pharma experience in clinical development or related function.
- CAR-T cell therapy and/or autoimmune disease experience is a plus.
- Good interpersonal & communication skills, including oral, written and interpersonal.
- Ability to effectively manage conflicts and negotiations while providing impact and influence.
- Collaborative with the ability to operate across multiple geographies.
- Good leadership & organizational skills, analytical skills, and presentation skills.
- Creative problem-solving skills.
- Strong organizational and project management skill and the ability to multitask.
- Computer literacy required (MS word, MS excel, MS PowerPoint and MS Project).
- Oncology Therapeutic Experience preferred.
- Excellent working knowledge of GCP, FDA and ICH Guidelines.
LOCATION
Somerset, NJ
Please note: These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full-time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech.
EEO Statement
It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.
Employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.
For information related to our privacy policy, please review: Legend Biotech Privacy Policy.
INTRODUCTION
Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across a diverse array of technology platforms, including autologous and allogenic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, T-cell receptor (TCR-T), and natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. From our three R&D sites around the world, we apply these innovative technologies to pursue the discovery of safe, efficacious and cutting-edge therapeutics for patients worldwide.
Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Janssen, one of the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, to jointly develop and commercialize ciltacabtagene autolecuel (cilta-cel). Our strategic partnership is designed to combine the strengths and expertise of both companies to advance the promise of an immunotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
Legend Biotech is seeking a Senior Clinical Research Scientist as part of the Clinical Development team based in Somerset, NJ.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Clinical Research Scientist (CS) in Clinical Development is an important role in the company supporting the development and life cycle of drug development projects. The Clinical Research Scientist will work closely with the Clinical Trial Lead/Medical Lead and Clinical Trial Manager to design and implement clinical trial protocols and manage sites, CROs and other associated work. In addition, the CS will support their manager to ensure program consistency & alignment across studies, working closely with cross-functional teams for achieving project goals, within timelines & with high quality. This clinical scientist will support early phase drug development in autoimmune indications.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Responsible to ensure the data review and cleaning activities meet the quality standards to support database locks in collaboration with data management and medical lead/clinical trial lead. Uses clinical and disease state knowledge to make recommendations for methods and strategy for data cleaning approach.
- Collaborate with other functions to successfully support the planning and execution of clinical studies. Provides independent leadership of all areas requiring clinical input with oversight from the assigned Clinical Trial Lead/Medical Lead, and provides innovative and quality solutions for assigned problems and tasks.
- Provides clinical input and strategic recommendations for the planning and implementation of assigned clinical trial(s) including investigator selection, patient recruitment, feasibility questionnaire, training PowerPoints, and supporting Ethics committee submissions.
- Contributes to the strategic planning, preparation, and review of clinical documents (Protocol, ICFs, CSR, investigator brochure). May lead certain documents or sections of documents, including incorporation of input from other cross-functional team members.
- Provides clinical input and strategic recommendations for regulatory documents needed for all stages of assigned trial lifecycle (IND documentation, HA briefing books, BLAs, and Orphan Drug Applications).
- Responsible for clinical portions of key data management/statistical documents (eg: Case Report Forms, edit checks, data review plan and reports).
- Contribute to the planning and execution of external meetings and internal stakeholder meetings (e.g., Ad Boards, IMs, Governance, DMCs, Regulatory Authority, Dose Escalation meeting); responds to or triages questions for appropriate escalations. May have a speaking role on meetings when appropriate.
- Supports their manager when asked to contribute to harmonization between clinical trials and process improvement initiatives.
- May have the authority to make decisions related to issuing data cleaning queries and can decide whether there is a need to escalate for further discussion with the medical lead. They may also be delegated tasks from the clinical trial lead/medical lead for which they have decision making authority e.g. comment resolution when leading document creation.
REQUIREMENTS
- At least a Bachelor's degree in life science discipline.
- Bachelor's degree with 4+ years'; or MS with 3+ years'; or PharmD/PhD with 2+ years of pharma experience in clinical development or related function.
- CAR-T cell therapy and/or autoimmune disease experience is a plus.
- Good interpersonal & communication skills, including oral, written and interpersonal.
- Ability to effectively manage conflicts and negotiations while providing impact and influence.
- Collaborative with the ability to operate across multiple geographies.
- Good leadership & organizational skills, analytical skills, and presentation skills.
- Creative problem-solving skills.
- Strong organizational and project management skill and the ability to multitask.
- Computer literacy required (MS word, MS excel, MS PowerPoint and MS Project).
- Oncology Therapeutic Experience preferred.
- Excellent working knowledge of GCP, FDA and ICH Guidelines.
LOCATION
Somerset, NJ
Please note: These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full-time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech.
EEO Statement
It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.
Employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.
For information related to our privacy policy, please review: Legend Biotech Privacy Policy.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Senior Clinical Research Scientist
Target large pharma and CROs first
Companies like Pfizer, Eli Lilly, ICON, and Syneos Health have established immigration programs and file H-1B petitions routinely. Smaller biotech startups may be willing but lack the infrastructure, leading to delays and errors in the petition process.
Align your degree field with your research area
USCIS scrutinizes specialty occupation claims closely for research roles. Your degree in pharmacology, biochemistry, or a related life science should directly correspond to your therapeutic area, a mismatch between field and function is a common RFE trigger.
Document your publications and clinical trial contributions
Peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and named contributions to IND submissions or regulatory filings strengthen both your H-1B petition and any future O-1A application. Compile this record before you start applying for sponsored positions.
Understand the H-1B lottery timeline before accepting offers
If you need cap-subject H-1B approval, registration opens in March for an October start. Cap-exempt employers, hospital systems, nonprofits, and universities, can file anytime. Knowing this prevents accepting an offer you cannot start on time.
Ask specifically about GCP experience in your application materials
Employers sponsoring Senior Clinical Research Scientists want evidence of Good Clinical Practice compliance, protocol development, and cross-functional trial management. Making these explicit in your resume signals you can contribute immediately and reduces employer hesitation about sponsorship costs.
Consider the O-1A if you have an exceptional research profile
Senior scientists with patents, significant citations, awards, or regulatory authorship credits may qualify for O-1A status, which has no lottery and no annual cap. This is worth exploring with an immigration attorney before relying solely on the H-1B registration process.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Which visa types do employers most commonly sponsor for Senior Clinical Research Scientists?
The H-1B is the most common pathway. Senior Clinical Research Scientist roles qualify as specialty occupations because they require at minimum a bachelor's degree, and in practice almost always a master's or PhD, in pharmacology, biochemistry, biostatistics, or a closely related field. Employers with cap-exempt status, such as academic medical centers or nonprofit research institutes, can file H-1B petitions year-round. The O-1A is a strong alternative for candidates with a publication record, patents, or significant regulatory contributions.
Does a three-year bachelor's degree qualify for H-1B sponsorship in this role?
It can, but it requires careful documentation. USCIS accepts a three-year bachelor's degree combined with relevant postgraduate education or substantial work experience as equivalent to a U.S. four-year degree for specialty occupation purposes. For Senior Clinical Research Scientist positions, most petitions involve a master's or doctoral degree anyway, which removes the equivalency question entirely. If your highest credential is a three-year degree, work with your employer's immigration counsel to build a strong equivalency argument before filing.
How strong is H-1B approval for clinical research roles?
Approval rates for clinical research and life sciences positions are historically solid, but USCIS issues Requests for Evidence when the job description is broad or the degree field doesn't clearly map to the role. Senior-level titles help, they signal specialized knowledge rather than generalist functions. Petitions from large pharmaceutical companies and established CROs with dedicated immigration teams tend to have fewer RFEs than first-time sponsor employers. Specific documentation of protocol design responsibilities, regulatory filing involvement, and supervisory scope strengthens the specialty occupation argument.
What should I look for in a sponsoring employer beyond the visa offer itself?
Look for employers who use experienced immigration counsel, have filed H-1B petitions before, and are willing to cover petition fees rather than passing costs to you. Ask during the offer stage whether they sponsor for green card as well, many Senior Clinical Research Scientists pursue EB-2 or EB-3 sponsorship after establishing themselves. You can browse companies currently posting sponsored roles for this title on Migrate Mate, which filters specifically for visa-sponsoring employers.
Can I switch employers mid-H-1B as a Senior Clinical Research Scientist?
Yes. H-1B portability allows you to start working for a new employer as soon as they file an H-1B transfer petition, without waiting for approval, provided your current H-1B was previously approved and you haven't violated status. The new employer files a new I-129 petition covering your specific role and responsibilities. Keep copies of your existing approval notices and pay stubs, as the new employer's counsel will need them to establish portability eligibility.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Senior Clinical Research Scientist 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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