St. Jude Children's Research Hospital OPT Eligible Jobs USA
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital hires OPT students across clinical research, bioinformatics, data science, and laboratory roles. Known for its mission-driven culture and investment in early-career talent, it's a strong destination for F-1 students seeking OPT employment in pediatric oncology and biomedical research.
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INTRODUCTION
A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Samuel W. Brady. The lab focuses on identifying and therapeutically targeting key dependencies in pediatric solid tumors (Banu et al., Science Advances 12:eaeb3503 (2026) (link)) and cancer genomics, including mutational signatures (Brady et al., Cancer Discovery 2026 (link)).
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position involves the experimental study of key pediatric cancer dependencies, and the identification of new approaches to target them therapeutically. This includes studies of protein signaling, subcellular relocalization, pharmacological studies using existing small molecule inhibitors, and the study of newly-developed compounds and approaches to inhibit essential childhood cancer dependencies. With a general background in cancer biology, pharmacology, and/or chemical biology, the ideal candidate would be familiar with cancer models, protein analysis (such as Western blot and immunoprecipitation), microscopy, cell culture, and molecular biology techniques. This position may also involve the experimental study of mutational signatures in pediatric cancer.
We are seeking an ambitious, proactive, and creative postdoctoral fellow with a strong interest in basic and translational cancer research. Applicants should have a recent PhD degree. This position is experimental, and will involve interfacing with computational genomics colleagues in the lab.
LOCATION
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is a premier center for research and treatment of catastrophic childhood diseases, including cancer. The hospital’s mission is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To apply, please submit a brief cover letter describing your research interests, goals, and how these align with the research in the laboratory, your CV, and contact information for 3 references.
St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer
No Search Firms
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.
Job Roles at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding St. Jude Children's Research Hospital OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target Research and Bioinformatics Roles First
St. Jude's strongest OPT hiring concentrates in clinical research, bioinformatics, and computational biology. Focus your application on departments where project-based work aligns with defined degree requirements, since those roles most consistently support the full OPT authorization period without internal re-approval delays.
Verify E-Verify Enrollment Before Accepting Offers
For STEM OPT's 24-month extension, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm St. Jude's active E-Verify participation before your 60-day OPT grace period ends, so your extension application to USCIS isn't jeopardized by a last-minute enrollment gap on the employer side.
Align Your Degree Field to the Job Description
OPT authorization requires your role to directly relate to your degree. At St. Jude, hiring managers in research and data teams evaluate degree-to-role fit carefully. Use O*NET to identify the occupational classification for your target role and confirm it matches your academic field before applying.
Use Migrate Mate to Identify H-1B Transition Potential
If your goal is staying past OPT, research St. Jude's H-1B filing history by department before accepting an offer. Migrate Mate surfaces DOL Labor Condition Application data by employer and role, so you can see which teams have sponsored H-1B visas and plan your OPT-to-H-1B pathway accordingly.
Submit Your I-765 Application Early in Your Final Semester
USCIS recommends filing your OPT I-765 application up to 90 days before your program end date. Late filing compresses your available work authorization window. Coordinate your start date conversations with St. Jude's HR team only after you have your EAD in hand to avoid employment authorization gaps.
Prepare Your Training Plan Before Your STEM Extension Start
STEM OPT requires a formal training plan on Form I-983, completed jointly with your employer and DSO. St. Jude's research and compliance teams are experienced with structured training documentation, but you'll need to initiate the conversation with your supervisor at least four to six weeks before your initial OPT expires.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does St. Jude Children's Research Hospital sponsor OPT visas?
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital hires F-1 students who already hold an OPT EAD issued by USCIS. The hospital does not petition for OPT itself since OPT is student-held work authorization, not employer-filed sponsorship. For STEM OPT extensions, St. Jude's E-Verify enrollment allows eligible students to apply to USCIS for the additional 24 months.
Which departments at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital typically hire OPT students?
OPT students are most commonly placed in clinical research, bioinformatics, computational biology, data science, and laboratory science roles. St. Jude's research-intensive mission creates consistent demand for early-career talent in these areas, particularly for roles tied to pediatric oncology studies, genomic data analysis, and translational medicine programs.
How do I confirm my role at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital qualifies for STEM OPT extension?
Your degree must relate directly to your job function, and your role's SOC code must appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program List maintained by USCIS. Cross-reference your job title against O*NET to confirm the occupational classification, then verify with your DSO that your specific degree field is STEM-designated before filing your extension application.
How do I find OPT-eligible job openings at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital?
Migrate Mate lists open positions at St. Jude filtered by OPT eligibility, so you can identify roles where the hospital has an established pattern of hiring F-1 students. Searching directly through St. Jude's careers portal and filtering by research and data science categories will also surface relevant openings for OPT candidates.
How do I plan for the H-1B transition after my OPT period at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital?
Start H-1B visa transition conversations with St. Jude's HR team at least six months before your OPT expires, since H-1B cap-subject petitions must be filed by April 1 for an October 1 start. Confirm that your department has previously sponsored H-1B visas and that your role meets the specialty occupation definition required by USCIS.
How does St. Jude Children's Research Hospital hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital can hire OPT students as soon as their EAD card is approved. STEM degree holders can extend OPT by 24 months when their employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Most companies that hire OPT students also support the transition to H-1B when the student's OPT period is ending. Check St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.