Study Start Up Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

Study Start Up roles sit at the intersection of clinical operations and regulatory compliance, making them a strong fit for H-1B and O-1 visa sponsorship. Most positions require a life sciences or healthcare degree, and employers in pharma, biotech, and CROs routinely file LCAs for this specialty occupation.

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Overview

Open Jobs25+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type92% On-site
Salary Range$135K – $194K
Top LocationCincinnati, OH
Most JobsMedpace

Showing 5 of 25+ Study Start Up jobs

Medpace
Study Start-Up Project Manager
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Medpace
Added 1d ago
Study Start-Up Project Manager
Medpace
Denver, Colorado
Project & Program Management
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Healthcare Administration
Project Management
Clinical Trials
$100,000/yr - $165,000/yr
On-Site
5+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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AbbVie
Associate Director - Global Study Start Up Transformation Lead
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AbbVie
Added 1w ago
Associate Director - Global Study Start Up Transformation Lead
AbbVie
North Chicago, Illinois
Project & Program Management
Partnerships & Business Development
Human Resources
Compliance & Legal
Project Management
Compliance & Risk
Hybrid
7+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Amgen
Executive Director, Study Start-Up
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Amgen
Added 1mo ago
Executive Director, Study Start-Up
Amgen
Thousand Oaks, California
Project & Program Management
Human Resources
Strategy & Corporate Development
Project Management
Business Strategy
$281,634 - $336,501
On-Site
6+ yrs exp.
Doctorate

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Daiichi Sankyo US
Associate Director, CSPV Clinical Study Startup/ICSR Standards
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Daiichi Sankyo US
Added 1w ago
Associate Director, CSPV Clinical Study Startup/ICSR Standards
Daiichi Sankyo US
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Project & Program Management
$150,800/yr - $226,200/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Daiichi Sankyo
Associate Director, CSPV Clinical Study Startup/ICSR Standards
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Daiichi Sankyo
Added 1w ago
Associate Director, CSPV Clinical Study Startup/ICSR Standards
Daiichi Sankyo
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Support
Allied Health
Pharmacy
$150,800/yr - $226,200/yr
On-Site
10+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Study Start Up

Confirm your degree aligns with the role

Study Start Up is consistently classified as a specialty occupation requiring a degree in life sciences, nursing, health sciences, or a related field. A general business degree alone is unlikely to satisfy USCIS without substantial relevant coursework or experience.

Target CROs and large pharma companies first

Contract research organizations and large pharmaceutical sponsors have established immigration infrastructure and sponsor Study Start Up roles regularly. They process more LCAs annually than smaller biotechs and are less likely to back out mid-process due to legal uncertainty.

Understand the LCA certification timeline

Your employer must file a Labor Condition Application with the Department of Labor before submitting your H-1B petition. LCA certification typically takes seven to ten business days, so factor this into your start date planning with the hiring team.

Clarify site travel expectations early

Many Study Start Up roles require frequent domestic or international site visits. If your H-1B covers multiple worksites, your employer may need to file amended petitions or maintain multiple LCAs. Raise this with HR before accepting an offer.

Ask about premium processing upfront

H-1B adjudication without premium processing can take several months. For Study Start Up roles with defined clinical trial timelines, ask whether the employer will elect premium processing to ensure you can begin work within the project window.

Use Migrate Mate to find actively sponsoring employers

Not every CRO or pharma company advertises sponsorship willingness in job listings. Migrate Mate filters Study Start Up roles by employers with active sponsorship history, saving you the time of applying to positions that will stall at the immigration step.

Study Start Up jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.

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See all 25+ Study Start Up jobs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Study Start Up considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?

Yes, Study Start Up is generally treated as a specialty occupation by USCIS. The role requires applying specialized knowledge in clinical trial initiation, regulatory submissions, and site qualification, typically tied to a degree in life sciences, health sciences, or a related field. USCIS scrutiny increases if the job description allows a broad range of unrelated degrees, so the employer's petition language matters significantly.

Which visa types are most common for Study Start Up roles?

The H-1B is the primary pathway for Study Start Up professionals who are not Australian or Canadian citizens. Australians may qualify for the E-3 visa, which has no lottery and faster processing. Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying scientific or technical roles may explore TN status. O-1A is an option for those with documented recognition, such as publications, awards, or speaking engagements in clinical research.

Does my degree field have to match Study Start Up exactly?

Not exactly, but there must be a logical connection between your degree and the role. Degrees in nursing, pharmacy, biology, biochemistry, health sciences, and related clinical fields are regularly accepted. A purely unrelated degree in an unrelated discipline is a risk factor. If your degree is in a tangential area, strong relevant work experience and any certifications, such as CCRA or CCRP, can help strengthen the petition.

How competitive is H-1B sponsorship for this role compared to other clinical jobs?

Study Start Up sits in a favorable position compared to more general clinical operations titles. Because the role is highly specialized and tied to defined regulatory and site activation processes, it tends to fare better in USCIS review than broadly defined coordinator roles. Large CROs and pharmaceutical companies sponsor consistently, and the role rarely faces the same cap-exempt complications as some academic or nonprofit positions. Browse current openings on Migrate Mate to identify which employers are actively filing.

Can I transfer my H-1B to a new Study Start Up employer if I change companies?

Yes, H-1B portability allows you to start working for a new employer as soon as the transfer petition is filed, provided your current H-1B is valid and you have maintained status. Your new employer must file a new LCA and I-129 petition before or on your first day. Study Start Up roles transfer relatively smoothly since the specialty occupation classification is consistent across most CRO and pharma employers.

What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Study Start Up 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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