Research (PhD / Post-Doc)
If you wish to do research at an American academic institution, there are many funding opportunities for you.
Here is a list of what you need to do:
1. Find an American professor interested in working with you on your research project.
You can contact professors...:
-you met at conferences (ask them if they would like to work with you, and if not, if they might name other professors who might)
-who have colaborated with a colleague / professor of yours
-whose article you came across in a scientific journal
-by looking at university and department websites, examining professors’ CVs.
REMEMBER: You may have to write many emails to many different professors before you receive a positive response. Do not be shy or hesitant about contacting them.
2. Do extensive research on each professor you write to check that your research interests are similar. Demonstrate your motivation to work with them by letting them know you did your “homework;” refer to a presentation or article of theirs and write a brief and concise letter introducing yourself.
DO NOT write a generic email and send it to many professors at once. Their time is as valuable as yours; they would like to know that you did enough research and care enough to write them a personalized email.
3. Look into the institutional culture and the surroundings of the institution to ensure that you will enjoy living near the school where the professors work.- If you have children who will accompany you, look into the schools in the area and consider child care alternatives.
REMEMBER: Public Schools in the US do not charge a tuition free and most offer a good quality education. Also, do not worry about your child’s English proficiency since schools have a system in place where a child lacking language skills is assisted. Soon your child will be correcting your English accent!
REMEMBER ALSO that if your children are college aged, it is better for them to apply to school independently and not get a dependent visa (J-2 in your case) since dependents must leave the US if the primary visa holder has completed their stay. This means that if your research ends before they have attained their degree, it will either be very difficult or impossible for the J-2 to be changed to an F-1 student visa and your child will need to leave with you.
4. Inquire about the living and working conditions - will you be given an office or a computer? what are the housing options and the cost of living?
5. Look into the funding options available to you.
6. Once you have committed to working with a specific professor and a school, you will need a designated sponsor for your J-1 Visa application. Most schools wil be able to issue this form. Then you can apply for your visa to the US.
REMEMBER that you are welcome to contact our advisers for any related questions you may have about your research or opportunities for your children.
