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 visa and O-1 visa 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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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.
JOB SUMMARY
The MGH CORE Program is seeking a full-time Senior Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC-Senior) to join our multidisciplinary team. This position offers the opportunity to take on a leadership role in advancing innovative supportive care research in oncology and palliative care. The MGH CORE Program brings together oncologists, palliative care specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and other allied clinician researchers dedicated to improving the quality of care and outcomes for patients and families facing cancer and serious illness.
SENIOR CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR (CRC)
The CRC-Senior will oversee program-wide regulatory and operational needs across multiple supportive care research studies. In addition to contributing to projects employing qualitative methods, survey data, and clinical trial designs, the CRC-Senior will help develop and implement standard operating procedures, onboard and train junior clinical research coordinators (CRCs), and ensure high-quality study execution and compliance. This position is ideal for candidates with prior research experience who are ready to take on supervisory and program development responsibilities.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Training:
- Train, and mentor entry-level CRCs, ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures and best practices.
- Assist CORE faculty investigators with allocating workload and providing ongoing feedback.
Study Coordination:
- Provide an extra layer of support in managing CORE studies, including participant eligibility reviews, recruitment, informed consent, and coordination of study visits.
- Assist with data collection (surveys, interviews, chart reviews) and quality control checks, using REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) or other programs.
Regulatory & Compliance:
- Prepare and maintain Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol submissions, amendments, continuing reviews, and adverse event reports.
- Ensure compliance with study protocols, Human Subjects and Good Clinical Practice guidelines, and institutional policies.
Program Development:
- Assist in developing standard operating procedures and quality assurance systems.
- Contribute to creation of study templates and guidance for protocol design, database management, and grant submissions.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required (health sciences, psychology, public health, nursing, or related field preferred)
- Minimum of 2–5 years of post-baccalaureate research experience in clinical trials or human subjects research, including direct experience with IRB/regulatory documentation.
Skills & Competencies:
- Ability to oversee, train and evaluate others effectively.
- Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple investigators and teams.
- Familiarity with REDCap and other data capture systems preferred.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please submit your resume and a cover letter (maximum 300 words) describing your background, interest in supportive care research, and what makes you a strong candidate for this leadership role. We value team members from diverse backgrounds and encourage applicants to share in their cover letter how their unique experiences, perspectives, or interests would contribute to our program’s mission.
REMOTE TYPE
Onsite
WORK LOCATION
125 Nashua Street
SCHEDULED WEEKLY HOURS
40
EMPLOYEE TYPE
Regular
WORK SHIFT
Day (United States of America)
PAY RANGE
$26.78 - $82,014.40/Annual
GRADE
6
At Mass General Brigham, we believe in recognizing and rewarding the unique value each team member brings to our organization. Our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and any offer extended will take into account your skills, relevant experience if applicable, education, certifications and other essential factors. The base pay information provided offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications; however, it does not encompass all elements contributing to your total compensation package. In addition to competitive base pay, we offer comprehensive benefits, career advancement opportunities, differentials, premiums and bonuses as applicable and recognition programs designed to celebrate your contributions and support your professional growth. We invite you to apply, and our Talent Acquisition team will provide an overview of your potential compensation and benefits package.
EEO STATEMENT:
1200 The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.
MASS GENERAL BRIGHAM COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK
At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.
INTRODUCTION
Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.
JOB SUMMARY
The MGH CORE Program is seeking a full-time Senior Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC-Senior) to join our multidisciplinary team. This position offers the opportunity to take on a leadership role in advancing innovative supportive care research in oncology and palliative care. The MGH CORE Program brings together oncologists, palliative care specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and other allied clinician researchers dedicated to improving the quality of care and outcomes for patients and families facing cancer and serious illness.
SENIOR CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR (CRC)
The CRC-Senior will oversee program-wide regulatory and operational needs across multiple supportive care research studies. In addition to contributing to projects employing qualitative methods, survey data, and clinical trial designs, the CRC-Senior will help develop and implement standard operating procedures, onboard and train junior clinical research coordinators (CRCs), and ensure high-quality study execution and compliance. This position is ideal for candidates with prior research experience who are ready to take on supervisory and program development responsibilities.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Training:
- Train, and mentor entry-level CRCs, ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures and best practices.
- Assist CORE faculty investigators with allocating workload and providing ongoing feedback.
Study Coordination:
- Provide an extra layer of support in managing CORE studies, including participant eligibility reviews, recruitment, informed consent, and coordination of study visits.
- Assist with data collection (surveys, interviews, chart reviews) and quality control checks, using REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) or other programs.
Regulatory & Compliance:
- Prepare and maintain Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol submissions, amendments, continuing reviews, and adverse event reports.
- Ensure compliance with study protocols, Human Subjects and Good Clinical Practice guidelines, and institutional policies.
Program Development:
- Assist in developing standard operating procedures and quality assurance systems.
- Contribute to creation of study templates and guidance for protocol design, database management, and grant submissions.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required (health sciences, psychology, public health, nursing, or related field preferred)
- Minimum of 2–5 years of post-baccalaureate research experience in clinical trials or human subjects research, including direct experience with IRB/regulatory documentation.
Skills & Competencies:
- Ability to oversee, train and evaluate others effectively.
- Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple investigators and teams.
- Familiarity with REDCap and other data capture systems preferred.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please submit your resume and a cover letter (maximum 300 words) describing your background, interest in supportive care research, and what makes you a strong candidate for this leadership role. We value team members from diverse backgrounds and encourage applicants to share in their cover letter how their unique experiences, perspectives, or interests would contribute to our program’s mission.
REMOTE TYPE
Onsite
WORK LOCATION
125 Nashua Street
SCHEDULED WEEKLY HOURS
40
EMPLOYEE TYPE
Regular
WORK SHIFT
Day (United States of America)
PAY RANGE
$26.78 - $82,014.40/Annual
GRADE
6
At Mass General Brigham, we believe in recognizing and rewarding the unique value each team member brings to our organization. Our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and any offer extended will take into account your skills, relevant experience if applicable, education, certifications and other essential factors. The base pay information provided offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications; however, it does not encompass all elements contributing to your total compensation package. In addition to competitive base pay, we offer comprehensive benefits, career advancement opportunities, differentials, premiums and bonuses as applicable and recognition programs designed to celebrate your contributions and support your professional growth. We invite you to apply, and our Talent Acquisition team will provide an overview of your potential compensation and benefits package.
EEO STATEMENT:
1200 The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.
MASS GENERAL BRIGHAM COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK
At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.
See all 3,878+ Senior Researcher Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Senior Researcher Jobs
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.
Frequently 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.