Top 10 Research Organizations Hiring OPT Students
The top 10 research organizations hiring OPT students include Northwell Health, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and SUNY Upstate Medical University, spanning science and research and healthcare and medical services roles across the United States. Migrate Mate is tracking 1,322 live OPT jobs across these employers as of October 22, 2026, updated daily. For F-1 students on 12-month OPT authorization, roles at these organizations must relate directly to the student's field of study, no employer filing is required, since OPT is student-initiated work authorization.
Which research organizations hire the most OPT students?
Ranked by live OPT openings on Migrate Mate, updated daily
- 01
Northwell Health
HealthcareClinical ResearchMedical ServicesNorthwell Health has 278 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, the most of any research organization on this list. Its openings concentrate in Nursing and Healthcare Administration. Northwell Health is New York's largest hospital network, delivering clinical care and medical research.
Open roles by team
- Nursing436
- Healthcare Administration268
- Allied Health125
- Caregiving & Elderly Support52
- Physical & Occupational Therapy42
+86 roles across other teams
Open roles at Northwell Health278 openSee all 278+ Northwell Health OPT jobsApplyRegistered NurseNew York, New York · On-siteApplyMRI TechnologistRiverhead, New York · On-siteApplyResearch ScientistGlen Oaks, New York · On-siteApplyClinical Research CoordinatorGlen Oaks, New York · On-siteApplyRNRiverhead, New York · On-site - 02
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Life SciencesLab ResearchBiotechThermo Fisher Scientific has 240 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Business Development. Thermo Fisher Scientific manufactures laboratory instruments, reagents, and life science research tools.
Open roles by team
- Science & Research113
- Business Development105
- Project & Program Management84
- Manufacturing Operations82
- Engineering (Non-Software)73
+536 roles across other teams
Open roles at Thermo Fisher Scientific240 openSee all 240+ Thermo Fisher Scientific OPT jobsApplyClinical Supplies Project ManagerNorth Carolina · On-siteApplyLab Application ScientistBannockburn, Illinois · On-siteApplySenior ScientistCollegeville, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyGlobal Marketing SpecialistWaltham, Massachusetts · On-siteApplyScientist IIIPlainville, Massachusetts · On-site - 03
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Academic MedicineBiomedical ResearchHealthcareSUNY Upstate Medical University has 192 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Nursing and Healthcare Administration. SUNY Upstate Medical University is a public academic medical center providing health sciences education and biomedical research.
Open roles by team
- Nursing146
- Healthcare Administration131
- Allied Health67
- Administrative & Office Support38
- Science & Research28
+178 roles across other teams
Open roles at SUNY Upstate Medical University192 openSee all 192+ SUNY Upstate Medical University OPT jobsApplyOutpatient Administrative SpecialistSyracuse, New York · On-siteApplyRadiation Safety TechnologistSyracuse, New York · On-siteApplyStaff Assistant 2Syracuse, New York · On-siteApplyClinical Research Billing & Medicare Coverage AnalystSyracuse, New York · HybridApplyX-RAY TECHNOLOGISTSyracuse, New York · On-site Unlock every OPT job from these sponsors
Find 2,800+ OPT jobs- 04
City of Hope
OncologyClinical ResearchHealthcareCity of Hope has 182 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Nursing and Healthcare Administration. City of Hope is a cancer research and treatment center conducting translational and clinical oncology studies.
Open roles by team
- Nursing196
- Healthcare Administration135
- Science & Research114
- Physicians & Surgeons36
- Allied Health32
+138 roles across other teams
Open roles at City of Hope182 openSee all 182+ City of Hope OPT jobsApplyRegistered NurseGoodyear, Arizona · On-siteApplyAssistant ProfessorDuarte, California · On-siteApplyPatient Liaison Special SvcesDuarte, California · On-siteApplyPain and Palliative Advanced Practice ProviderGoodyear, Arizona · On-siteApplyAdministrative Program CoordinatorMonrovia, California · On-site - 05
Anthropic
AI ResearchMachine LearningSafety ScienceAnthropic has 90 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Data Science & Analytics and Software Engineering. Anthropic is an AI safety company researching and building large language models and alignment techniques.
Open roles by team
- Data Science & Analytics76
- Software Engineering50
- Project & Program Management36
- Technical Program Management34
- Compliance & Legal25
+167 roles across other teams
Open roles at Anthropic90 openSee all 90+ Anthropic OPT jobsApplySafeguards Enforcement AnalystNew York City Metropolitan Area · HybridApplyData Operations ManagerNew York, New York · On-siteApplyProduct Policy ManagerSeattle, Washington · HybridApplyStrategy & OperationsSan Francisco, California · HybridApplyEngineering ManagerSeattle, Washington · Hybrid - 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
Main Line Health
HealthcareClinical ServicesResearchMain Line Health has 83 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Nursing and Healthcare Administration. Main Line Health is a nonprofit health system serving southeastern Pennsylvania through hospitals and outpatient services.
Open roles by team
- Nursing138
- Healthcare Administration82
- Allied Health29
- Physicians & Surgeons28
- Mental & Behavioral Health6
+14 roles across other teams
Open roles at Main Line Health83 openSee all 83+ Main Line Health OPT jobsApplyBehavioral Health Therapist IILima, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyCT Scan TechnologistWynnewood, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyRegistered NursePaoli, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyPhysical TherapistRadnor, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyAmbulatory RNMedia, Pennsylvania · On-site - 07
Texas A&M University
Research UniversitySTEMScienceTexas A&M University has 72 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Teaching & Instruction. Texas A&M University is a major public research university with programs across science, engineering, and agriculture.
Open roles by team
- Science & Research85
- Teaching & Instruction44
- Nursing20
- Higher Education19
- Project & Program Management16
+93 roles across other teams
Open roles at Texas A&M University72 openSee all 72+ Texas A&M University OPT jobsApplyStudent Development Specialist IICollege Station, Texas · On-siteApplySenior Research Development OfficerCollege Station, Texas · On-siteApplyResearch AssistantCollege Station, Texas · On-siteApplyGraduate Program Coordinator ICollege Station, Texas · On-siteApplyLimited Submissions SpecialistCollege Station, Texas · On-site See OPT jobs from all 10 sponsors and thousands more
Find 2,800+ OPT jobs- 08
Temple University Health System
Academic MedicineClinical ResearchHealthcareTemple University Health System has 68 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Nursing and Healthcare Administration. Temple University Health System is an academic health system in Philadelphia providing care and conducting clinical research.
Open roles by team
- Nursing51
- Healthcare Administration40
- Allied Health13
- Project & Program Management13
- Science & Research10
+108 roles across other teams
Open roles at Temple University Health System68 openSee all 68+ Temple University Health System OPT jobsApplyLindy Scholars Program CoordinatorPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania · HybridApplyInformation Security AdminPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania · HybridApplyDevelopment AssociatePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyManager-Finance and AccountingPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyTechnical AssistantPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania · On-site - 09
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Academic MedicineClinical ResearchHealthcareNewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has 66 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Nursing and Healthcare Administration. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is an academic medical center affiliated with Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine.
Open roles by team
- Nursing99
- Healthcare Administration63
- Allied Health24
- Mental & Behavioral Health6
- Science & Research4
+23 roles across other teams
Open roles at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital66 openSee all 66+ NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital OPT jobsApplyPractice NurseNew York, New York · On-siteApplyStaff NurseBronxville, New York · On-siteApplyContracts CoordinatorNew York, New York · On-siteApplyFinance AnalystNew York, New York · On-siteApplyClinical Nurse - Neonatal ICUNew York, New York · On-site - 10
University of Central Oklahoma
Research UniversitySTEMAcademicUniversity of Central Oklahoma has 51 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Teaching & Instruction and Higher Education. University of Central Oklahoma is a public university offering undergraduate and graduate research opportunities across multiple disciplines.
Open roles by team
- Teaching & Instruction88
- Higher Education41
- Business Operations3
- Nursing2
- Tax1
+3 roles across other teams
Open roles at University of Central Oklahoma51 openSee all 51+ University of Central Oklahoma OPT jobsApplyAdjunct FacultyUnited States · On-siteApplyTeaching AssistantEdmond, Oklahoma · On-siteApplyFWSP Student TechnicalEdmond, Oklahoma · On-siteApplyRegular Student TutorEdmond, Oklahoma · On-siteApplyRegular Student Tutor - HumanitiesEdmond, Oklahoma · 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.
Ready to apply for OPT sponsorship?
Sign up free to unlock every OPT job from these sponsors and thousands more, filter by role and location, and apply in a few clicks.
Find 2,800+ OPT jobsResearch OPT Employers: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies hire the most OPT students?
Northwell Health has the most, with 278 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by Thermo Fisher Scientific (240) and SUNY Upstate Medical University (192). Across the 10 research organizations on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 1,322 live OPT jobs, updated daily.
Who is eligible for OPT?
F-1 students who have been enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program-authorized school are eligible for OPT. Authorization lasts up to 12 months and must be used in a role directly related to the student's field of study. Students in qualifying STEM fields may apply for a 24-month extension. The student applies through their Designated School Official and files Form I-765 with USCIS.
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 work at one of these employers on OPT, you secure a job offer in a role related to your field of study, then work with your Designated School Official to request an OPT recommendation in your SEVIS record. You file Form I-765 with USCIS to obtain your Employment Authorization Document before your start date. The employer does not file anything, they simply verify your authorization documents and hire you once your EAD is approved.