Top 10 Biotech and Pharmaceutical Companies Hiring OPT Students
The top 10 biotech and pharmaceutical companies hiring OPT students include Medpace, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and AbbVie, spanning biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and science and research roles across the United States. Migrate Mate is tracking 709 live OPT jobs across these employers as of October 22, 2026, updated daily. For F-1 students whose field of study aligns with life sciences, drug development, or biomedical research, these employers offer roles where your degree directly supports the work you'll do.
Which biotech and pharmaceutical companies hire the most OPT students?
Ranked by live OPT openings on Migrate Mate, updated daily
- 01
Medpace
Clinical ResearchDrug DevelopmentBiotechnologyMedpace has 149 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, the most of any biotech and pharmaceutical company on this list. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Project & Program Management. Medpace provides full-service clinical contract research organization services to biotech and pharmaceutical sponsors worldwide.
Open roles by team
- Science & Research205
- Project & Program Management139
- Healthcare Administration108
- Nursing34
- Data Science & Analytics25
+94 roles across other teams
Open roles at Medpace149 openSee all 149+ Medpace OPT jobsApplyNephrologist - Medical DirectorCincinnati, Ohio · HybridApplyMedical Director in PulmonologyCincinnati, Ohio · HybridApplyPsychiatrist - Medical DirectorCincinnati, Ohio · HybridApplyGastroenterologist/HepatologistCincinnati, Ohio · HybridApplyPatient Concierge CoordinatorCincinnati, Ohio · On-site - 02
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Cancer ResearchOncologyScienceDana-Farber Cancer Institute has 121 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Healthcare Administration. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute conducts cancer research and provides adult and pediatric oncology care in Boston, Massachusetts.
Open roles by team
- Science & Research144
- Healthcare Administration69
- Nursing67
- Project & Program Management27
- Customer Service & Support18
+117 roles across other teams
Open roles at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute121 openSee all 121+ Dana-Farber Cancer Institute OPT jobsApplySenior Clinical Research Accounting SpecialistBrookline, Massachusetts · HybridApplyInpatient Physician AssistantBoston, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyStaff NurseBoston, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyPhysicist AssistantBoston, Massachusetts · HybridApplyClinical Research Accounting SpecialistBrookline, Massachusetts · Hybrid - 03
AbbVie
BiopharmaceuticalsOncologyResearchAbbVie has 110 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Project & Program Management and Sales. AbbVie researches, develops, and commercializes biopharmaceutical therapies across immunology, oncology, and neuroscience.
Open roles by team
- Project & Program Management38
- Sales32
- Science & Research32
- Customer Success27
- Account Management27
+270 roles across other teams
Open roles at AbbVie110 openSee all 110+ AbbVie OPT jobsApplyScientist l, Lab ManagerNorth Chicago, Illinois · On-siteApplyAssociate I, Clinical Pharmacology Scientific Support & ReportingNorth Chicago, Illinois · On-siteApplySpecialty Representative, PsychiatryWinston-Salem, North Carolina · On-siteApplyManager, Incentive Compensation OperationsMettawa, Illinois · On-siteApplyMarketing ManagerFlorham Park, New Jersey · On-site Unlock every OPT job from these sponsors
Find 2,600+ OPT jobs- 04
OneOncology
OncologyClinical ResearchScienceOneOncology has 53 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Physicians & Surgeons and Nursing. OneOncology partners with independent oncology practices to support cancer care delivery and clinical research across the United States.
Open roles by team
- Physicians & Surgeons95
- Nursing42
- Healthcare Administration41
- Allied Health6
- Compliance & Legal2
+2 roles across other teams
Open roles at OneOncology53 openSee all 53+ OneOncology OPT jobsApplyRadiation OncologistMiami, Florida · On-siteApplyUrologistFort Myers, Florida · On-siteApplyHematologist OncologistFlorence, Alabama · On-siteApplyThoracic Medical OncologistGermantown, Tennessee · On-siteApplyPalliative Care PhysicianAthens, Georgia · On-site - 05
Teva Pharmaceuticals
GenericsPharmaceuticalsManufacturingTeva Pharmaceuticals has 49 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Sales and Account Management. Teva Pharmaceuticals manufactures and markets generic and specialty medicines, including treatments for central nervous system disorders.
Open roles by team
- Sales30
- Account Management29
- Customer Success13
- Business Development13
- Inside Sales12
+91 roles across other teams
Open roles at Teva Pharmaceuticals49 openSee all 49+ Teva Pharmaceuticals OPT jobsApplyRegulatory Affairs Assoc IIIWest Chester, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyLong Term Care Account ManagerLong Beach, California · On-siteApplyNeuroPsych Sales SpecialistDayton, Ohio · On-siteApplyNeuroHealth Sales SpecialistSanta Barbara, California · On-siteApplySenior Medical Science LiaisonBoston, Massachusetts · On-site - Editor’s note
How this list is ranked
These employers are ranked by how many roles open to OPT candidates they have live on Migrate Mate right now. OPT is your own work authorization rather than something the employer files, so the practical question is whether the role fits your field of study and whether the team has hired people on OPT before.
- 06
Beth Israel Lahey Health
Biomedical ResearchScienceHealth SystemsBeth Israel Lahey Health has 48 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Nursing and Healthcare Administration. Beth Israel Lahey Health is a nonprofit integrated health system conducting biomedical research across eastern Massachusetts.
Open roles by team
- Nursing68
- Healthcare Administration39
- Allied Health23
- Science & Research16
- Physicians & Surgeons8
+28 roles across other teams
Open roles at Beth Israel Lahey Health48 openSee all 48+ Beth Israel Lahey Health OPT jobsApplyRadiology TechPlymouth, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyMRI TechnologistPeabody, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyClinical Nurse ManagerPlymouth, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyHospital-Based Hospice Admissions RNWoburn, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyRegistered Nurse (RN) ED Clinical Practice SpecialistBeverly, Massachusetts · On-site - 07
Sanofi
VaccinesBiopharmaceuticalsResearchSanofi has 46 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Project & Program Management and Compliance & Legal. Sanofi is a global biopharmaceutical company developing vaccines, specialty medicines, and consumer healthcare products.
Open roles by team
- Project & Program Management28
- Compliance & Legal25
- Science & Research16
- Healthcare Administration13
- Marketing11
+85 roles across other teams
Open roles at Sanofi46 openSee all 46+ Sanofi OPT jobsApplyQA ReleaseSwiftwater, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyQA Release Senior Quality ReviewerSwiftwater, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyAssociate Director, Global Medical AffairsMorristown, New Jersey · On-siteApplyMedical Science LiaisonMorristown, New Jersey · RemoteApplyQuality Complaint SpecialistSwiftwater, Pennsylvania · On-site See OPT jobs from all 10 sponsors and thousands more
Find 2,600+ OPT jobs- 08
Vanda Pharmaceuticals
PharmaceuticalsNeuroscienceResearchVanda Pharmaceuticals has 46 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Sales and Account Management. Vanda Pharmaceuticals develops and commercializes novel therapies for central nervous system disorders and other conditions.
Open roles by team
- Sales30
- Account Management30
- Customer Success22
- Science & Research6
- Healthcare Administration5
+43 roles across other teams
Open roles at Vanda Pharmaceuticals46 openSee all 46+ Vanda Pharmaceuticals OPT jobsApplyNeuroscience Account ManagerSioux Falls, South Dakota · On-siteApplyNeurology Account ManagerSan Antonio, Texas · On-siteApplyMedical Science LiaisonPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplySr. Tax AnalystWashington, Washington DC · On-siteApplyCommercial Supply ChainWashington, Washington DC · On-site - 09
CooperSurgical
Medical DevicesGenomicsBiotechnologyCooperSurgical has 46 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Customer Service & Support and Sales. CooperSurgical develops and markets medical devices, fertility solutions, and genomics services for women's health.
Open roles by team
- Customer Service & Support20
- Sales19
- Inside Sales18
- Project & Program Management16
- Consulting & Strategy15
+93 roles across other teams
Open roles at CooperSurgical46 openSee all 46+ CooperSurgical OPT jobsApplyHealth Economics and Outcomes Research SpecialistUnited States · On-siteApplyAssociate Global Product ManagerTrumbull, Connecticut · On-siteApplySupplier Quality Engineer IILivingston, New Jersey · On-siteApplyManager, Post Market SurveillanceTrumbull, Connecticut · On-siteApplyR&D Administrative CoordinatorTrumbull, Connecticut · On-site - 10
Eli Lilly
PharmaceuticalsDrug DiscoveryBiotechnologyEli Lilly has 41 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Consulting & Strategy. Eli Lilly discovers, develops, and markets medicines across diabetes, oncology, immunology, and neuroscience.
Open roles by team
- Science & Research60
- Consulting & Strategy22
- Healthcare Administration20
- Data Science & Analytics13
- Nursing11
+64 roles across other teams
Open roles at Eli Lilly41 openSee all 41+ Eli Lilly OPT jobsApplyAssociate Director, Operations and Escalations PharmacistIndianapolis, Indiana · HybridApplyAssociate Director, Vendor and Service Management PharmacistIndianapolis, Indiana · HybridApplyAssociate Director, Integration of Automation PharmacistIndianapolis, Indiana · HybridApplyAssociate Director, Quality and Standards PharmacistIndianapolis, Indiana · HybridApplyAssociate Director Global Medical Affairs Omnichannel EducationIndianapolis, Indiana · On-site
How OPT works
OPT is work authorization for F-1 students, not an employer-sponsored visa. The student applies through their school's international office (the DSO) and USCIS with Form I-765; the employer files nothing. The role must relate to the student's field of study. OPT gives up to 12 months of work authorization, with a 24-month STEM extension for eligible degrees.
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Find 2,600+ OPT jobsBiotech and Pharmaceutical OPT Employers: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies hire the most OPT students?
Medpace has the most, with 149 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (121) and AbbVie (110). Across the 10 biotech and pharmaceutical companies on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 709 live OPT jobs, updated daily.
Who is eligible for OPT?
OPT is available to F-1 students who have been enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year and whose intended work directly relates to their field of study. Pre-completion OPT may be authorized before graduation; post-completion OPT is available for up to 12 months after the program end date. Students in STEM-designated degree programs may apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, bringing the total authorization to 36 months.
How much does F-1 OPT cost?
F-1 OPT is student work authorization, so there is no employer sponsorship fee. The student pays the USCIS filing fee for the work-authorization application, plus any costs their school charges. Fee amounts change from time to time, so check the current figure before you rely on it.
How do I get OPT through a top employer?
To get OPT authorization, you request a new I-20 from your Designated School Official recommending OPT, then file Form I-765 with USCIS to receive your Employment Authorization Document. Your employer does not file anything on your behalf, the entire application runs through your school and USCIS. Once USCIS approves and mails your EAD, you may begin working for any employer in a role related to your field of study, including at companies listed on Migrate Mate.