Top 10 Companies Hiring PhD Graduates on OPT
The top 10 companies hiring PhD holders on OPT include CVS Health, Optum, and PetVet Care Centers, spanning healthcare and medical services and higher education, two sectors with strong demand for doctoral-level research and clinical expertise. Migrate Mate is tracking 2,146 live OPT jobs across these employers as of August 26, 2026, updated daily. For PhD candidates on F-1 OPT, these employers offer roles where doctoral training is a genuine requirement, not just a preference.
Which companies hire the most PhD holders on OPT?
Ranked by live OPT openings on Migrate Mate, updated daily
- 01
CVS Health
HealthcarePharmacyBenefits ManagementCVS Health has 429 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, the most of any company on this list. Its openings concentrate in Healthcare Administration and Pharmacy. CVS Health operates retail pharmacies, pharmacy benefit management, and health insurance services across the United States.
Open roles by team
- Healthcare Administration420
- Pharmacy419
- Allied Health419
- Nursing394
- Customer Service & Support17
+18 roles across other teams
Open roles at CVS Health429 openSee all 429+ CVS Health OPT jobsApplyDispensing PharmacistSalt Lake City, Utah · On-siteApplyPharmacy SupervisorFairfield, New Jersey · On-siteApplyGrad PharmacistSouderton, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyGraduate Pharmacy InternVevay, Indiana · On-siteApplyPharmacistTampa, Florida · On-site - 02
Optum
Health ServicesAnalyticsHealthcareOptum has 267 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Physicians & Surgeons and Nursing. Optum provides health services, pharmacy care, and data-driven health management solutions as part of the UnitedHealth Group.
Open roles by team
- Physicians & Surgeons368
- Nursing262
- Healthcare Administration259
- Allied Health88
- Pharmacy37
+50 roles across other teams
Open roles at Optum267 openSee all 267+ Optum OPT jobsApplyNeurologistChestnut Hill, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyPrimary Care PhysicianGlastonbury, Connecticut · On-siteApplyFloat PharmacistMesa, Arizona · On-siteApplyPharmacist Float PoolSomerville, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyPrimary Care PGY3 ResidentsColorado Springs, Colorado · Remote - 03
PetVet Care Centers
VeterinaryAnimal HealthClinical CarePetVet Care Centers has 208 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Nursing and Animal Care. PetVet Care Centers operates a network of full-service veterinary hospitals providing primary and specialty animal care.
Open roles by team
- Nursing162
- Animal Care132
- Healthcare Administration90
- Physicians & Surgeons2
- Allied Health2
Open roles at PetVet Care Centers208 openSee all 208+ PetVet Care Centers OPT jobsApplyVeterinarianThomasville, North Carolina · On-siteApplySports Medicine SpecialistBrandon, Florida · On-siteApplyEmergency VeterinarianTurlock, California · On-siteApplyVeterinary SurgeonKetchum, Idaho · On-siteApplyAssociate VeterinarianRuckersville, Virginia · On-site Unlock every OPT job from these sponsors
Find 14,000+ OPT jobs- 04
Walgreens
PharmacyRetail HealthHealthcareWalgreens has 203 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Pharmacy and Allied Health. Walgreens operates retail pharmacy and health services locations nationwide, providing prescriptions, immunizations, and clinical services.
Open roles by team
- Pharmacy202
- Allied Health202
- Healthcare Administration201
- Customer Service & Support198
- Nursing41
+9 roles across other teams
Open roles at Walgreens203 openSee all 203+ Walgreens OPT jobsApplyPhoto SpecialistWauwatosa, Wisconsin · On-siteApplyPharmacy Customer Service AssociateFrisco, Texas · On-siteApplyInventory SpecialistFederal Way, Washington · On-siteApplyDistrict Pharmacy SupervisorGreenacres City, Florida · On-siteApplyStockpersonJersey City, New Jersey · On-site - 05
Amazon.com
TechnologyResearchHealthcareAmazon.com has 189 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Data Science & Analytics and AI & Machine Learning. Amazon.com operates e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence businesses worldwide.
Open roles by team
- Data Science & Analytics328
- AI & Machine Learning237
- Software Engineering143
- Technical Program Management59
- Compliance & Legal47
+119 roles across other teams
Open roles at Amazon.com189 openSee all 189+ Amazon.com OPT jobsApplySenior Applied ScientistSeattle, Washington · On-siteApplyAssociate Corporate CounselSeattle, Washington · On-siteApplySenior EconomistSeattle, Washington · On-siteApplyApplied ScientistBoston, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyHuman-Robot Interaction, Applied ScientistNew York, New York · 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
University of Kentucky
Higher EducationResearchAcademiaUniversity of Kentucky has 184 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Physicians & Surgeons and Healthcare Administration. The University of Kentucky is a public research university offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across a wide range of disciplines.
Open roles by team
- Physicians & Surgeons276
- Healthcare Administration144
- Nursing107
- Teaching & Instruction53
- Science & Research46
+49 roles across other teams
Open roles at University of Kentucky184 openSee all 184+ University of Kentucky OPT jobsApplyPhysician - Critical Care PulmonologistLexington, Kentucky · On-siteApplyAssistant, Associate or ProfessorLexington, Kentucky · On-siteApplyScientist IIILexington, Kentucky · On-siteApplyClinical Physician - General InternistFrankfort, Kentucky · On-siteApplyClinical Physician - General Internist Medicine Women's HealthLexington, Kentucky · On-site - 07
OneOncology
OncologyClinical CareHealthcareOneOncology has 178 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Physicians & Surgeons and Healthcare Administration. OneOncology is a physician-led network of community oncology practices providing cancer care across the United States.
Open roles by team
- Physicians & Surgeons340
- Healthcare Administration142
- Nursing115
- Allied Health24
- Science & Research2
+1 roles across other teams
Open roles at OneOncology178 openSee all 178+ OneOncology OPT jobsApplyHematologist OncologistKansas City, Missouri · On-siteApplyNeurohospitalistNew Brunswick, New Jersey · On-siteApplyUrologistPikesville, Maryland · On-siteApplyRadiation OncologistJupiter, Florida · On-siteApplyBreast Surgical OncologistNashville, Tennessee · On-site See OPT jobs from all 10 sponsors and thousands more
Find 14,000+ OPT jobs- 08
Aspen Dental
DentalHealthcareClinical CareAspen Dental has 178 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Physicians & Surgeons and Healthcare Administration. Aspen Dental manages a network of dental practices offering general, cosmetic, and emergency dental services to patients across the country.
Open roles by team
- Physicians & Surgeons178
- Healthcare Administration178
- Nursing175
- Dentistry175
- 09
Jobot
StaffingRecruitingHealthcareJobot has 166 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Compliance & Legal and Nursing. Jobot is a staffing and recruiting firm that connects job seekers with employers across technology, finance, legal, and engineering sectors.
Open roles by team
- Compliance & Legal240
- Nursing73
- Physicians & Surgeons73
- Healthcare Administration46
- Consulting & Strategy12
+25 roles across other teams
Open roles at Jobot166 openSee all 166+ Jobot OPT jobsApplyMedical Malpractice AttorneyDallas, Texas · On-siteApplyPhysician (M.D./DO)Taunton, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyPhysicianNorth Attleborough Town, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyConstruction Litigation AttorneySarasota, Florida · On-siteApplyPediatrics PhysicianHawthorne, California · On-site - 10
Oregon Health & Science University
Medical ResearchHigher EducationClinical CareOregon Health & Science University has 144 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Physicians & Surgeons and Nursing. Oregon Health and Science University is a public research university focused on health sciences education, patient care, and biomedical research.
Open roles by team
- Physicians & Surgeons138
- Nursing131
- Science & Research119
- Healthcare Administration110
- Allied Health38
+68 roles across other teams
Open roles at Oregon Health & Science University144 openSee all 144+ Oregon Health & Science University OPT jobsApplyInfectious Disease PharmacistPortland, Oregon · On-siteApplyPrimary Care PhysicianAstoria, Oregon · On-siteApplyInstructorPortland, Oregon · On-siteApplySenior Research AssociatePortland, Oregon · On-siteApplyPostdoctoral ScholarPortland, Oregon · 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 14,000+ OPT jobsOPT Employers for PhD Graduates: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies hire the most OPT students?
CVS Health has the most, with 429 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by Optum (267) and PetVet Care Centers (208). Across the 10 companies on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 2,146 live OPT jobs, updated daily.
Who is eligible for OPT?
F-1 students who have maintained valid student status and are within 60 days of completing their degree program are eligible to apply for OPT. The work must be directly related to the student's major field of study. PhD candidates may apply for pre-completion or post-completion OPT, with post-completion OPT providing up to 12 months of work authorization. Students in qualifying STEM fields may apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension after using their initial 12-month period.
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?
Getting OPT authorization starts with your Designated School Official, not the employer. You request an OPT recommendation from your DSO, who then updates your SEVIS record. You file Form I-765 with USCIS and wait for your Employment Authorization Document. Once you receive your EAD, you can begin working for any employer in a role related to your field of study, the employer does not file any paperwork on your behalf. Apply at least 90 days before your intended start date to account for USCIS processing time.