Tufts University OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Tufts University hires F-1 students on OPT across research, academic administration, and technical roles. As a research-intensive university, it's a strong environment for OPT students in STEM and social science fields, with a culture that supports the OPT-to-H-1B visa transition for high-performing hires.
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Overview:
The Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University is a national leader in Food is Medicine research focused on nutrition security, chronic disease prevention, and equitable food systems. Our work bridges public health, clinical research, and community practice to generate evidence that informs real-world solutions.
The Research Coordinator will play a central role in the NOURISH Study (Nutrition intervention Optimization to better Utilize Resources and Support Health) - a multi-year NIH-funded research study testing innovative, culturally responsive nutrition interventions delivered through the charitable food system. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about public health, community-based research, and improving access to nutritious food.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
This is a grant-funded and 5 year limited-term position, eligible for renewal based upon performance and continued funding. This position is located in Dallas, Texas.
Under the close supervision of the Principal Investigator (Dr. Kelseanna Hollis-Hansen) and project leadership, the Research Coordinator supports the day-to-day implementation of a large, community-based human subjects research study. The Research Coordinator conducts participant-facing research activities, ensures accurate and ethical data collection, supports study logistics, and collaborates closely with community partners.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with participants, values research rigor, and thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven research environment.
- Conduct participant recruitment, eligibility screening, scheduling, and enrollment in Dallas, Texas. This includes explaining study procedures and obtaining informed consent in accordance with human subjects protections.
- Collect quantitative and qualitative study data, including administering questionnaires and dietary assessments; measuring height and weight using standardized protocols; assisting with rapid clinical data collection (e.g., HbA1c, blood pressure) following training.
- This includes reading, understanding, and consistently following IRB-approved study protocols and procedures and providing participant support during in-person study visits, ensuring a respectful, culturally responsive, and welcoming experience.
- Carefully record study data for each participant and enter information into research database (e.g., REDCap).
- Assist with recruitment strategies and community outreach to increase participation in study.
- Assist with participant compensation, retention activities, and follow-up scheduling.
- Support preparation, translation, and distribution of study materials in English and Spanish.
- Maintain organized research records and contribute to data quality assurance activities.
- Participate in regular study team meetings and trainings.
- Perform other research-related duties as assigned to support study goals.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:
Basic Requirements:
Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:
- 1–2 years’ experience in community organization and/or research setting.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build rapport with diverse participants.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish.
- Attention to detail and commitment to accurate data collection.
- Ability to follow protocols and work within regulatory and ethical research frameworks.
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaboration tools, including, but not limited to PowerPoint, Word, Excel, SharePoint, and Teams, to support research operations.
- Experience with or willingness to learn data systems such as REDCap.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Comfortable working in community settings (e.g., food pantries, schools, places of worship, parks, etc.).
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in public health, nutrition, social sciences, health sciences, or related field preferred.
- Experience with human subjects research and data collection.
- Experience with customer-facing or customer service role.
Special Work Schedule Requirements:
This is a hybrid position expected to be on-site 4 days per week in DALLAS, TEXAS at our community partner locations (4500 S Cockrell Hill Rd, Dallas, TX 75236; 3662 W Camp Wisdom Rd, Dallas, TX 75237; 14040 Rolling Hills Ln, Dallas, TX 75240).
SALARY RANGE:
Minimum $22.50, Midpoint $26.80, Maximum $31.10
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Tufts University OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target research and lab roles first
Tufts University's strongest OPT hiring concentrates in research labs, public health programs, and engineering departments. When applying, align your resume to active research projects and grant-funded positions, which are more likely to extend into STEM OPT and H-1B sponsorship.
Verify your role qualifies for STEM OPT
Before accepting any Tufts offer, confirm your job title maps to a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs code. Cross-check your degree field against the official STEM OPT designated degree program list published by USCIS to avoid surprises at the 12-month mark.
Confirm Tufts is enrolled in E-Verify
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Tufts University participates in E-Verify as a federal contractor, but confirm with HR before your initial OPT expires so your DSO can file the 24-month extension recommendation without interruption.
Use Migrate Mate to identify Tufts hiring patterns
Search Tufts University on Migrate Mate to see which departments and role types have the strongest track record of hiring OPT students and transitioning them to H-1B. That history tells you where internal advocacy for visa continuation actually exists.
Negotiate your start date around OPT activation
Your OPT EAD can't be used before its start date, and Tufts HR will need to see the physical card before you begin work. Build at least two to three weeks of buffer between your USCIS approval date and your negotiated offer start date to avoid status gaps.
Ask directly about H-1B sponsorship during the offer stage
Universities often have faculty-track and staff-track positions with different sponsorship policies. Ask Tufts HR whether your specific role classification qualifies for H-1B sponsorship before the 60-day OPT grace period begins, not after your authorization expires.
Tufts University OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tufts University sponsor OPT visas?
Tufts University doesn't sponsor OPT itself, as OPT is work authorization granted by USCIS directly to the F-1 student. What Tufts does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD. As a research university enrolled in E-Verify, Tufts is well-positioned to support STEM OPT extensions and subsequent H-1B sponsorship for qualifying employees.
Which departments at Tufts University typically hire OPT students?
Research-heavy units, including biomedical sciences, engineering, public health, and data analytics programs, are the most active environments for OPT hires at Tufts. Academic administration and IT roles also bring on OPT students. Roles tied to grant-funded projects tend to offer the clearest pathway to continued sponsorship.
How do I apply for OPT jobs at Tufts University?
Apply through Tufts University's careers portal and flag your OPT authorization clearly in your application materials. Reach out to departmental HR contacts in research units where sponsorship continuity is common. Use Migrate Mate to identify which Tufts departments have a history of hiring and retaining OPT students through the H-1B transition.
How do I know if my Tufts role qualifies for the STEM OPT extension?
Your degree must be in a STEM-designated field and your Tufts job must directly relate to that field. Cross-reference your job duties against your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code using the USCIS STEM OPT hub list. Your DSO at your issuing institution handles the I-20 recommendation, not Tufts HR.
What is the typical timeline from OPT hire to H-1B sponsorship at Tufts University?
Most OPT students who transition to H-1B at Tufts do so during the STEM OPT extension window, which provides up to 24 months of additional work authorization. H-1B registration opens each March for an October 1 start date, so your employer needs to commit to sponsorship by late February of the relevant year.
How does Tufts University hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. Tufts University 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 Tufts University's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.