University of California, San Francisco OPT Eligible Jobs USA
University of California, San Francisco actively hires OPT students across research, clinical, administrative, and technical roles. As a major academic medical center, UCSF offers strong pathways from OPT into longer-term visa sponsorship, making it a practical target for F-1 graduates in health sciences, biomedical research, and data analytics.
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Process Development Scientist
The Department of Laboratory Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is seeking a motivated Process Development Scientist to join our Investigational Cellular Therapy (ICT) group. The ICT program aims to accelerate the development and delivery of promising new cell and gene therapies targeting cancer, autoimmunity, infectious disease, and inherited hematologic and immune disorders. ICT has established collaborations with UCSF research groups and a variety of academic and industrial partners to develop new cell and gene therapy technologies, platforms, and products. The successful candidate will lead cellular engineering activities within a highly skilled process development team and collaborate closely with partner functions such as pre-clinical research, GMP manufacturing, analytical development, quality control, quality assurance, operations/facilities, and regulatory affairs to advance pipeline programs.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and execute complex process development efforts using genomic and epigenomic engineering tools and platforms.
- Analyze, interpret, organize, and present data to internal and external groups in clear and concise manner.
- Author and review experimental proposals, SOPs, and technical reports for scientific publications and regulatory filings.
- Ensure data integrity, maintain laboratory record and prepare protocols and reports in a GMP-compliant manner.
- Work closely with internal and external partners to support technology transfers and implementation of new process technologies.
- Collaborate with and participate in teams to facilitate IND-enabling studies.
- Participate in GMP manufacturing campaigns for in-house products.
This position will occasionally involve long hours and some weekends and holidays. Scientific independence and attention to detail are critical to success in this position. The candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to scientific publications.
Required Qualifications
- For Associate Specialists - A Master’s degree (or equivalent degree) in Immunology, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, or related field or five to ten years of relevant experience is required.
- For Full Specialist – A PhD (or equivalent degree) in Immunology, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, or related field or ten or more years of relevant experience is required.
- Working knowledge of basic scientific principles and methods in order to independently design and perform experiments of moderate scope and complexity.
- Hands-on experience with aseptic tissue culture techniques and flow cytometry.
- Experience with genome editing techniques (e.g. CRISPR/Cas9 editing, base editing, prime editing, etc.)
- Experience working with GMP-compatible or automated cell processing platforms and equipment (e.g., electroporation systems, closed-system cell processing devices, automated cell culture or cell washing platforms).
- Organizational abilities and decision-making to prioritize work assignments.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills with internal and external collaborators.
- Ability to work in a collaborative manner, to assist in identifying any challenges or barriers.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DoE) approaches for process optimization.
- Experience working in regulated environments supporting IND-enabling studies, process qualification, or clinical manufacturing.
- Experience with analytical methods such as flow cytometry, ddPCR/qPCR, or next-generation sequencing for characterization of edited cells.
Applicants must apply online with a CV, cover letter, and the contact information of 3 references. Applicants’ materials must list pending qualifications. Candidates must have required qualifications by time of hire.
Compensation
A reasonable estimate for this position is $75,600 - $194,800.
Document Requirements
- Curriculum Vitae - CV must clearly list current and/or pending qualifications (e.g. board eligibility/certification, medical licensure, etc.).
- Cover Letter
Reference Requirements
- 3 required (contact information only)
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. UCSF is committed to welcoming and serving all people, honoring the dignity of every individual without preference or prejudice, in support of its public mission and in alignment with our PRIDE values and Principles of Community.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
LOCATION
San Francisco, CA
Position Description
Process Development Scientist
The Department of Laboratory Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is seeking a motivated Process Development Scientist to join our Investigational Cellular Therapy (ICT) group. The ICT program aims to accelerate the development and delivery of promising new cell and gene therapies targeting cancer, autoimmunity, infectious disease, and inherited hematologic and immune disorders. ICT has established collaborations with UCSF research groups and a variety of academic and industrial partners to develop new cell and gene therapy technologies, platforms, and products. The successful candidate will lead cellular engineering activities within a highly skilled process development team and collaborate closely with partner functions such as pre-clinical research, GMP manufacturing, analytical development, quality control, quality assurance, operations/facilities, and regulatory affairs to advance pipeline programs.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and execute complex process development efforts using genomic and epigenomic engineering tools and platforms.
- Analyze, interpret, organize, and present data to internal and external groups in clear and concise manner.
- Author and review experimental proposals, SOPs, and technical reports for scientific publications and regulatory filings.
- Ensure data integrity, maintain laboratory record and prepare protocols and reports in a GMP-compliant manner.
- Work closely with internal and external partners to support technology transfers and implementation of new process technologies.
- Collaborate with and participate in teams to facilitate IND-enabling studies.
- Participate in GMP manufacturing campaigns for in-house products.
This position will occasionally involve long hours and some weekends and holidays. Scientific independence and attention to detail are critical to success in this position. The candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to scientific publications.
Required Qualifications
- For Associate Specialists - A Master’s degree (or equivalent degree) in Immunology, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, or related field or five to ten years of relevant experience is required.
- For Full Specialist – A PhD (or equivalent degree) in Immunology, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, or related field or ten or more years of relevant experience is required.
- Working knowledge of basic scientific principles and methods in order to independently design and perform experiments of moderate scope and complexity.
- Hands-on experience with aseptic tissue culture techniques and flow cytometry.
- Experience with genome editing techniques (e.g. CRISPR/Cas9 editing, base editing, prime editing, etc.)
- Experience working with GMP-compatible or automated cell processing platforms and equipment (e.g., electroporation systems, closed-system cell processing devices, automated cell culture or cell washing platforms).
- Organizational abilities and decision-making to prioritize work assignments.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills with internal and external collaborators.
- Ability to work in a collaborative manner, to assist in identifying any challenges or barriers.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DoE) approaches for process optimization.
- Experience working in regulated environments supporting IND-enabling studies, process qualification, or clinical manufacturing.
- Experience with analytical methods such as flow cytometry, ddPCR/qPCR, or next-generation sequencing for characterization of edited cells.
Applicants must apply online with a CV, cover letter, and the contact information of 3 references. Applicants’ materials must list pending qualifications. Candidates must have required qualifications by time of hire.
Compensation
A reasonable estimate for this position is $75,600 - $194,800.
Document Requirements
- Curriculum Vitae - CV must clearly list current and/or pending qualifications (e.g. board eligibility/certification, medical licensure, etc.).
- Cover Letter
Reference Requirements
- 3 required (contact information only)
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. UCSF is committed to welcoming and serving all people, honoring the dignity of every individual without preference or prejudice, in support of its public mission and in alignment with our PRIDE values and Principles of Community.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
LOCATION
San Francisco, CA
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding University of California, San Francisco OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target UCSF's Research and Clinical Departments
UCSF's strongest OPT hiring happens in biomedical research labs, clinical data teams, and health informatics units. Apply directly to departments aligned with your degree field, since hiring managers in these units regularly work with OPT students and understand EAD timelines.
Verify Your Role Qualifies for STEM OPT
If your degree is in a STEM-designated field, confirm your job title maps to an approved STEM Classification of Instructional Programs code before accepting an offer. Use O*NET to match your role to the correct SOC code and confirm STEM eligibility with your DSO before signing.
Confirm UCSF Is Enrolled in E-Verify Before Accepting
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. UCSF, as a federal grant recipient, maintains E-Verify enrollment, but confirm this with HR before your STEM OPT extension application, since your DSO will need written confirmation for the I-983 training plan.
Search Verified OPT Employer Listings on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to search UCSF job listings filtered for OPT-compatible roles. Migrate Mate surfaces DOL Labor Condition Application data by employer, so you can see which departments at UCSF have active visa filing history before you spend time tailoring your application.
Align Your Application Timeline With OPT Start Windows
USCIS recommends filing your OPT EAD application 90 days before your program end date. Map your UCSF offer letter timeline against your EAD card arrival date so your employment start date doesn't precede your authorized work start date, which can jeopardize your status.
Raise H-1B Sponsorship Early in Salary Negotiations
UCSF sponsors H-1B visas for research, clinical, and administrative roles. Bring up H-1B sponsorship during the offer stage, not after onboarding. Ask HR directly whether your specific role and department have sponsored H-1B petitions before, so there are no surprises when your OPT nears its end date.
University of California, San Francisco OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of California, San Francisco sponsor OPT visas?
UCSF doesn't sponsor OPT directly, OPT is work authorization USCIS grants to F-1 students, not something an employer petitions for. What UCSF does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD. UCSF is E-Verify enrolled, which means it also supports the 24-month STEM OPT extension for eligible graduates in qualifying fields.
Which departments at UCSF typically hire OPT students?
UCSF's strongest OPT hiring is concentrated in biomedical and clinical research, health informatics, data analytics, bioinformatics, and administrative operations. Graduate students in life sciences, public health, nursing, pharmacy, and computer science-adjacent fields are the most common fit. Clinical roles may require licensure that affects OPT eligibility, so verify requirements with your DSO.
How do I apply for OPT jobs at UCSF?
Apply through UCSF's careers portal and indicate your OPT authorization status in the work eligibility section. Attach your EAD card details and I-20 when requested. Migrate Mate also lists UCSF openings filtered for visa-compatible roles, which can help you identify positions where the hiring team has prior experience working with OPT students.
How long does the STEM OPT extension process take at UCSF?
You must file your STEM OPT extension with USCIS at least 90 days before your standard OPT expires. UCSF HR will need to sign your I-983 training plan before you file. USCIS processing typically runs several weeks, so start the internal HR process at least 120 days before your OPT end date to avoid any gap in work authorization.
Does UCSF sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Yes, UCSF sponsors H-1B visas for research, clinical, and administrative positions, making it a practical employer for OPT-to-H-1B transitions. H-1B sponsorship is role-specific and subject to the annual USCIS lottery, so confirm H-1B eligibility for your exact position with UCSF HR well before your OPT or STEM OPT extension expires.
How does University of California, San Francisco hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. University of California, San Francisco 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 University of California, San Francisco's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.