Wayne State University OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Wayne State University hires OPT students across research, engineering, healthcare, and administrative roles, making it a meaningful option for F-1 graduates seeking work experience in an academic institution. Its size and departmental variety give OPT candidates real pathways into roles that can lead to H-1B visa sponsorship.
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INTRODUCTION
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Research Assistant - Department of Oncology at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Perform laboratory based scientific techniques or clinical/population science (human subjects) research.
- Design and perform experiments, recruit participants for studies by developing surveys and interviewing candidates.
- Participate in implementing research objectives, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory and protocol guidelines.
- Assist staff with experiments/research protocols as required.
- Communicate with principal investigator and Postdoctoral scholars/fellows on the status of research.
- Collect and log laboratory results, clinical outcomes and/or survey data.
- Evaluate and perform data analysis using graphs, charts or tables to highlight the key points of the research results collected in accordance with the research protocols as stipulated.
- Proofread and edit research data and documents to ensure accuracy.
- Assist principal investigator with writing methods and summarizing/organizing data to be used in preparing and presenting presentations for professional, scientific and academic conferences and submittal to academic and scholarly peer-reviewed journals.
- Maintain the laboratory work areas including routine maintenance on laboratory equipment as required.
- Order and organize required research supplies and records.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of work station.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
UNIQUE DUTIES:
- Perform laboratory-based scientific techniques focused on preclinical mouse models (e.g., colony maintenance, genotyping, tissue collection, and immunostaining).
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Bachelor's degree
Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study, preferred. Requires advanced knowledge predominantly intellectual in character in a field of science or learning acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction.
Experience: Entry level (less than a year of job-related experience)
Experience performing basic research techniques or interacting with human subjects, preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to analyze, summarize and interpret research findings and data in reports and spreadsheets and communicate results.
- Knowledge of scientific integrity principles.
- Excellent time management and organization skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated ability to work with others in a collaborative environment.
- Microsoft office software skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
School/College/Division:
H06 - School of Medicine
Primary department:
H0632 - Oncology
EMPLOYMENT TYPE:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Full Time
- Job category: Research
FUNDING/SALARY INFORMATION:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Typical work environment may include a laboratory and/or office environment. May require working non-standard business hours including evenings and weekends. May be required to travel to scientific conferences.
JOB OPENINGS:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: No
- Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
- Prior posting/requisition number:
BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Wayne State University OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target research and academic departments first
Wayne State's strongest OPT hiring tends to run through research labs, engineering departments, and healthcare programs. Identify specific departments aligned with your degree field and reach out directly to department HR contacts before applying through the central jobs portal.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Ask Wayne State's HR team to confirm active E-Verify participation before signing your offer, so your 24-month extension eligibility isn't at risk after you start.
Align your resume with specialty occupation standards
Wayne State evaluates candidates for roles tied to specific degree requirements. Frame your resume around the direct connection between your degree field and the role's core duties, which also strengthens any future H-1B specialty occupation argument for the same position.
Use Migrate Mate to check H-1B filing history
Before investing heavily in Wayne State applications, verify they've sponsored H-1B visas for roles matching yours. Migrate Mate surfaces DOL Labor Condition Application data by employer and occupation code, so you can see real sponsorship patterns before your OPT clock starts running.
Apply before your OPT start date is set
Wayne State's HR onboarding timelines inside a university system can run longer than corporate employers. Submit your application and complete background checks with enough lead time that your EAD start date and your employment start date actually align without a gap.
Understand the 60-day grace period boundary
If your OPT employment at Wayne State ends, USCIS gives you a 60-day grace period to find new employment or change status. Document your employment end date carefully, because the grace period starts from that date, not from when you notify your DSO.
Wayne State University OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wayne State University sponsor OPT visas?
Wayne State University doesn't sponsor OPT directly, USCIS grants OPT work authorization to eligible F-1 students, not employers. What Wayne State does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD. Its departments across research, healthcare, and engineering regularly bring on OPT candidates, making it a practical target for F-1 graduates job searching in those fields.
Which departments at Wayne State University typically hire OPT students?
Research-intensive departments, the School of Engineering, healthcare and life sciences programs, and administrative and IT functions are among the areas where OPT candidates tend to find opportunities at Wayne State. Roles tied to specific degree fields, rather than general administrative support, tend to offer cleaner specialty occupation pathways if H-1B sponsorship becomes relevant later.
How do I know if Wayne State University is enrolled in E-Verify for STEM OPT?
You'll need to confirm E-Verify enrollment directly with Wayne State's HR or international student services office before accepting an offer if you plan to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. E-Verify participation is a USCIS requirement for the extension, and the employer's enrollment must be in place before you submit your extension application through your DSO.
How do I find open OPT roles at Wayne State University?
Start with Wayne State's own careers portal and filter by department or job category aligned with your degree. Migrate Mate also lists roles from employers with documented H-1B filing history, which helps you identify positions at Wayne State and comparable education-sector employers where your OPT can realistically transition to long-term sponsorship.
How do I approach the OPT-to-H-1B transition at Wayne State University?
Start conversations with your manager and HR early, ideally six to nine months before your OPT expires. H-1B petitions must be filed by April 1 for an October 1 start, and Wayne State's internal approval processes inside a large institution can take time. Confirming the role qualifies as a specialty occupation and that your degree directly relates to it are both requirements USCIS will scrutinize.
How does Wayne State University hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. Wayne State 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 Wayne State University's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.