Top 10 Research Organizations Hiring OPT Students
The top 10 research organizations hiring OPT students include Thermo Fisher Scientific, Northwell Health, and City of Hope, spanning science and research and healthcare and medical services roles across the United States. Migrate Mate is tracking 1,505 live OPT jobs across these employers as of August 26, 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
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Life SciencesLab ResearchBiotechThermo Fisher Scientific has 407 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, the most of any research organization on this list. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Project & Program Management. Thermo Fisher Scientific manufactures laboratory instruments, reagents, and life science research tools.
Open roles by team
- Science & Research170
- Project & Program Management141
- Business Development126
- Manufacturing Operations117
- Engineering (Non-Software)110
+1,024 roles across other teams
Open roles at Thermo Fisher Scientific407 openSee all 407+ Thermo Fisher Scientific OPT jobsApplyVariant Scientist IIIAnn Arbor, Michigan · On-siteApplyEngineer II, ValidationMiddletown, Virginia · On-siteApplyEHS Specialist IICincinnati, Ohio · On-siteApplyBuyer IIMarietta, Ohio · On-siteApplyScientific/Technical WriterKing of Prussia, Pennsylvania · On-site - 02
Northwell Health
HealthcareClinical ResearchMedical ServicesNorthwell Health has 252 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. 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
- Nursing365
- Healthcare Administration232
- Allied Health90
- Caregiving & Elderly Support52
- Physical & Occupational Therapy21
+138 roles across other teams
Open roles at Northwell Health252 openSee all 252+ Northwell Health OPT jobsApplyCare ManagerNew York, New York · On-siteApplyMRI TechnologistRiverhead, New York · On-siteApplyNavigator Registered Nurse SpecialistMount Kisco, New York · On-siteApplySenior Executive AssistantNew Hyde Park, New York · On-siteApplyRegistered NurseNew Hyde Park, New York · On-site - 03
City of Hope
OncologyClinical ResearchHealthcareCity of Hope has 177 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
- Nursing204
- Healthcare Administration139
- Science & Research108
- Allied Health35
- Physicians & Surgeons27
+117 roles across other teams
Open roles at City of Hope177 openSee all 177+ City of Hope OPT jobsApply340B Program AnalystIrwindale, California · On-siteApplyBudget AdministratorRemote · RemoteApplyStaff ScientistMonrovia, California · On-siteApplyCertified Registered Nurse AnesthetistDuarte, California · On-siteApplyClinical Research Assistant IDuarte, California · On-site Unlock every OPT job from these sponsors
Find 3,100+ OPT jobs- 04
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Academic MedicineBiomedical ResearchHealthcareSUNY Upstate Medical University has 157 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
- Nursing131
- Healthcare Administration111
- Allied Health57
- Teaching & Instruction23
- Mental & Behavioral Health22
+180 roles across other teams
Open roles at SUNY Upstate Medical University157 openSee all 157+ SUNY Upstate Medical University OPT jobsApplyIntra-operative Monitoring (IOM) Technician TraineeSyracuse, New York · On-siteApplyClerical Specialist IISyracuse, New York · On-siteApplyOffice ManagerSyracuse, New York · On-siteApplyBehavior SpecialistSyracuse, New York · On-siteApplyALS & MDA Patient Services CoordinatorSyracuse, New York · On-site - 05
Main Line Health
HealthcareClinical ServicesResearchMain Line Health has 135 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
- Nursing230
- Healthcare Administration131
- Allied Health41
- Physicians & Surgeons36
- Science & Research7
+32 roles across other teams
Open roles at Main Line Health135 openSee all 135+ Main Line Health OPT jobsApplyClinical Research Coordinator IIWynnewood, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyLicensed Practical NurseWynnewood, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyStaff Nurse, RehabilitationMalvern, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyPhysician AssistantMedia, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyCare Coordinator RNPaoli, Pennsylvania · 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
Anthropic
AI ResearchMachine LearningSafety ScienceAnthropic has 116 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 & Analytics97
- Software Engineering72
- Technical Program Management45
- Project & Program Management37
- Compliance & Legal29
+204 roles across other teams
Open roles at Anthropic116 openSee all 116+ Anthropic OPT jobsApplyEconomic Mobility Partnerships ManagerSan Francisco, California · On-siteApplyApplied AI EngineerSan Francisco, California · HybridApplyProduct Policy ManagerSeattle, Washington · HybridApplySafeguards Policy AnalystWashington, Washington DC · HybridApplyStrategy & OperationsSan Francisco, California · Hybrid - 07
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Academic MedicineClinical ResearchHealthcareNewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has 80 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
- Nursing120
- Healthcare Administration75
- Allied Health24
- Mental & Behavioral Health8
- Business Analysis6
+33 roles across other teams
Open roles at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital80 openSee all 80+ NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital OPT jobsApplyStaff NurseNew York, New York · HybridApplyLead Analyst Information Technology EHRNew York, New York · On-siteApplyPhysician AssistantNew York, New York · On-siteApplySpecialist LactationNew York, New York · On-siteApplyLaboratory ManagerNew York, New York · On-site See OPT jobs from all 10 sponsors and thousands more
Find 3,100+ OPT jobs- 08
Texas A&M University
Research UniversitySTEMScienceTexas A&M University has 64 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 & Research62
- Teaching & Instruction45
- Project & Program Management18
- Healthcare Administration13
- Nursing12
+101 roles across other teams
Open roles at Texas A&M University64 openSee all 64+ Texas A&M University OPT jobsApplyCommercial Fisheries and Seafood SpecialistGalveston, Texas · On-siteApplyProgram Coordinator IIBryan, Texas · On-siteApplyPostdoctoral Research AssociateCollege Station, Texas · On-siteApplyResearch AssociateHouston, Texas · On-siteApplyManager, Brand ExperiencesCollege Station, Texas · On-site - 09
Temple University Health System
Academic MedicineClinical ResearchHealthcareTemple University Health System has 64 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
- Nursing62
- Healthcare Administration47
- Customer Service & Support11
- Project & Program Management10
- Allied Health9
+70 roles across other teams
Open roles at Temple University Health System64 openSee all 64+ Temple University Health System OPT jobsApplyREGISTERED NURSEPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyRN-STAFF/CLIN NURSEPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyRN - Staff Psych 4APhiladelphia, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyRN - Staff PsychPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania · On-siteApplyOffice ManagerPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania · On-site - 10
West Virginia University
Research UniversityHealth SciencesSTEMWest Virginia University has 53 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate. Its openings concentrate in Science & Research and Teaching & Instruction. West Virginia University is a public research university with programs in health sciences, engineering, and natural sciences.
Open roles by team
- Science & Research31
- Teaching & Instruction25
- Project & Program Management20
- Higher Education13
- Healthcare Administration12
+100 roles across other teams
Open roles at West Virginia University53 openSee all 53+ West Virginia University OPT jobsApplyLife Safety ManagerMorgantown, West Virginia · On-siteApplyFacilities EngineerMorgantown, West Virginia · On-siteApplyPharmacy TechnicianMorgantown, West Virginia · On-siteApplyVisitor Services & Membership AssistantMorgantown, West Virginia · On-siteApplyResearch AssistantMorgantown, West Virginia · 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 3,100+ OPT jobsResearch OPT Employers: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies hire the most OPT students?
Thermo Fisher Scientific has the most, with 407 live OPT jobs on Migrate Mate, followed by Northwell Health (252) and City of Hope (177). Across the 10 research organizations on this list, Migrate Mate is tracking 1,505 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.