Senior Researcher Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Senior Researcher roles are among the more sponsorship-friendly positions in academia, biotech, and policy, employers regularly file H-1B and O-1 petitions for qualified candidates. Most require a master's or PhD in a relevant field, and your degree discipline needs to align directly with the research area. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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The Behavioral Trials Office (BTO) partners with investigators to provide efficient coordination and regulatory support for diverse behaviorally focused clinical research, including behavioral intervention trials and observational studies. Our work spans multiple pediatric departments and developmental stages, supporting innovative research that improves child health outcomes. The Sr. Regulatory Coordinator plays a key role in this effort by providing regulatory oversight and support for multiple federally funded research studies. In addition, this role contributes to the development and implementation of regulatory and compliance training initiatives within the BTO, helping to ensure that research teams operate in accordance with institutional policies and federal regulations.
Job Description Summary
Coordinates the regulatory and compliance process of all clinical research conducted in the NCH/RI system. Oversees the preparation and submission of regulatory and compliance documents to study sponsors and assists with quality improvement initiatives. Coordinates submissions of human subjects research project to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and of Investigational New Drug Applications (IND’s) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Job Description
Essential Functions:
- Reviews study protocols in order to write consent/assent documents and develop the initial IRB submission; submits protocol amendments; responds to contingencies and obtains final approval of documents from sponsor and IRB, on behalf of principal investigator.
- Serves as liaison between study sponsors and the research team (IRB, research staff and Principal Investigator) regarding regulatory matters in the IRB submission and approval process.
- Responsible for the preparation, submission and maintenance of documents and processes related to investigator-initiated drug/device projects. Serves as liaison with federal agencies as needed.
- Oversees the creation and maintenance of regulatory documents and the study administrative binder required for the clinical research project.
- Maintains current knowledge of federal research regulations by reviewing current publications and attending conferences. Advises management of regulation changes and projected impact within Clinical Research Services and the institution.
- Primary resource to provide guidance to investigators and research staff on federal regulations, good clinical practices and IRB policies and systems. Identifies protocol content which may conflict with federal and/or local requirements or practice.
- Assists with quality improvement audits, including the administrative binder, subject research records, case report forms and other study documents.
- Responsible for data required for CCTS annual report and other metrics as required.
Education Requirement
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in medical/science field.
Licensure Requirement
(not specified)
Certifications
CCRP certification preferred.
Skills
- Knowledge of medical terminology and diseases, preferred.
- Excellent computer skills.
- Ability to multi-task with strong organizational and prioritization skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Customer focused personality.
- Working knowledge of IRB and regulatory processes and systems.
- Current knowledge of Federal regulations (FDA, GCP, NIH, DHHS, ICH GCP), and study protocols.
Experience
Two years Clinical Research Experience, required.
Physical Requirements
OCCASIONALLY: Bend/twist, Driving motor vehicles (work required), additional testing may be required, Reaching above shoulder, Squat/kneel
FREQUENTLY: Lifting / Carrying: 0-10 lbs, Lifting / Carrying: 11-20 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 0-25 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 26-40 lbs, Sitting, Standing, Walking
CONTINUOUSLY: Audible speech, Computer skills, Decision Making, Depth perception, Flexing/extending of neck, Hand use: grasping, gripping, turning, Hearing acuity, Interpreting Data, Peripheral vision, Problem solving, Repetitive hand/arm use, Seeing – Far/near
Additional Physical Requirements Performed But Not Listed Above
(not specified)
The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties performed by the individuals so classified, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision.
EOE M/F/Disability/Vet
Overview
The Behavioral Trials Office (BTO) partners with investigators to provide efficient coordination and regulatory support for diverse behaviorally focused clinical research, including behavioral intervention trials and observational studies. Our work spans multiple pediatric departments and developmental stages, supporting innovative research that improves child health outcomes. The Sr. Regulatory Coordinator plays a key role in this effort by providing regulatory oversight and support for multiple federally funded research studies. In addition, this role contributes to the development and implementation of regulatory and compliance training initiatives within the BTO, helping to ensure that research teams operate in accordance with institutional policies and federal regulations.
Job Description Summary
Coordinates the regulatory and compliance process of all clinical research conducted in the NCH/RI system. Oversees the preparation and submission of regulatory and compliance documents to study sponsors and assists with quality improvement initiatives. Coordinates submissions of human subjects research project to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and of Investigational New Drug Applications (IND’s) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Job Description
Essential Functions:
- Reviews study protocols in order to write consent/assent documents and develop the initial IRB submission; submits protocol amendments; responds to contingencies and obtains final approval of documents from sponsor and IRB, on behalf of principal investigator.
- Serves as liaison between study sponsors and the research team (IRB, research staff and Principal Investigator) regarding regulatory matters in the IRB submission and approval process.
- Responsible for the preparation, submission and maintenance of documents and processes related to investigator-initiated drug/device projects. Serves as liaison with federal agencies as needed.
- Oversees the creation and maintenance of regulatory documents and the study administrative binder required for the clinical research project.
- Maintains current knowledge of federal research regulations by reviewing current publications and attending conferences. Advises management of regulation changes and projected impact within Clinical Research Services and the institution.
- Primary resource to provide guidance to investigators and research staff on federal regulations, good clinical practices and IRB policies and systems. Identifies protocol content which may conflict with federal and/or local requirements or practice.
- Assists with quality improvement audits, including the administrative binder, subject research records, case report forms and other study documents.
- Responsible for data required for CCTS annual report and other metrics as required.
Education Requirement
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in medical/science field.
Licensure Requirement
(not specified)
Certifications
CCRP certification preferred.
Skills
- Knowledge of medical terminology and diseases, preferred.
- Excellent computer skills.
- Ability to multi-task with strong organizational and prioritization skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Customer focused personality.
- Working knowledge of IRB and regulatory processes and systems.
- Current knowledge of Federal regulations (FDA, GCP, NIH, DHHS, ICH GCP), and study protocols.
Experience
Two years Clinical Research Experience, required.
Physical Requirements
OCCASIONALLY: Bend/twist, Driving motor vehicles (work required), additional testing may be required, Reaching above shoulder, Squat/kneel
FREQUENTLY: Lifting / Carrying: 0-10 lbs, Lifting / Carrying: 11-20 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 0-25 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 26-40 lbs, Sitting, Standing, Walking
CONTINUOUSLY: Audible speech, Computer skills, Decision Making, Depth perception, Flexing/extending of neck, Hand use: grasping, gripping, turning, Hearing acuity, Interpreting Data, Peripheral vision, Problem solving, Repetitive hand/arm use, Seeing – Far/near
Additional Physical Requirements Performed But Not Listed Above
(not specified)
The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties performed by the individuals so classified, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision.
EOE M/F/Disability/Vet
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Senior Researcher
Match your degree to the research domain
USCIS requires your academic background to align with the specific research field, not just research broadly. A PhD in molecular biology supports a biomedical researcher role. A degree in economics does not, even with years of lab-adjacent experience.
Target employers with a sponsorship track record
Universities, national labs, pharmaceutical companies, and think tanks file H-1B petitions for senior researchers regularly. Organizations with dedicated HR and immigration counsel are far more likely to sponsor than early-stage startups without established hiring pipelines.
Understand the H-1B lottery before you apply
Most senior researcher roles at private employers require H-1B sponsorship, which is subject to an annual lottery. Cap-exempt employers, universities, affiliated nonprofits, and government research organizations, skip the lottery entirely and can hire year-round.
Build a publication and grant record before interviewing
Hiring managers evaluate senior researchers on research output. A strong publication record, grant history, or named authorship on high-impact work also strengthens your visa petition by demonstrating the specialized nature of your expertise to USCIS adjudicators.
Ask about cap-exempt status early in the process
Before investing time in an application, confirm whether the employer qualifies as cap-exempt. Universities and affiliated research institutions are exempt, meaning no lottery wait. This single factor can cut your time to a work start date by over a year.
Consider the O-1A if your credentials are strong
Senior researchers with significant publications, awards, peer review invitations, or high citation counts may qualify for the O-1A visa. It has no lottery, no annual cap, and is employer-sponsored, making it a strong alternative when H-1B odds are a concern.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Researcher role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. Senior Researcher positions consistently qualify as specialty occupations because they require at least a bachelor's degree, and typically a master's or PhD, in a specific field directly related to the research area. The key is that the job description must require a degree in a particular discipline, not just any degree. Roles with vague educational requirements can face USCIS scrutiny, so a well-drafted job description matters.
Do I need a PhD to get sponsored as a Senior Researcher?
Not always, but it depends heavily on the employer and research domain. Academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies frequently require a PhD for senior researcher titles. Policy research organizations and some tech-adjacent research roles may accept a master's degree plus substantial experience. Three years of relevant work experience can substitute for one year of education under USCIS rules, so a strong work history can compensate for a terminal master's in some cases.
Which employers sponsor the most Senior Researcher visas?
Universities and their affiliated research centers are the largest sponsors of researchers by volume, and most are cap-exempt, meaning no H-1B lottery. Large pharmaceutical and biotech companies such as Pfizer, Genentech, and AstraZeneca also file regularly. Federal contract research organizations and government-affiliated labs are another strong category. You can browse verified sponsoring employers actively hiring senior researchers on Migrate Mate.
Can I get sponsored as a Senior Researcher if my degree is from outside the U.S.?
Yes. USCIS accepts foreign degrees, but they must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency. A three-year Australian or Indian bachelor's degree is generally accepted as equivalent to a U.S. four-year degree for H-1B purposes, though a credential evaluation report from a recognized agency strengthens the petition. The degree still needs to align with the specific research field, equivalency does not override the specialty occupation requirement.
What are the chances my H-1B petition gets approved for a Senior Researcher role?
Approval rates for senior researcher petitions tend to run higher than average because the specialty occupation case is straightforward, the academic and research community has a well-established history of degree requirements for these roles. If you're at a university or cap-exempt employer, there's no lottery risk at all. For cap-subject employers, you still face the registration lottery first, where selection rates have ranged from roughly 20 to 25 percent in recent years.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Senior 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.
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