CPT Research Associate Jobs

Research Associate jobs on CPT let you apply your graduate or undergraduate coursework directly in a lab, policy institute, or corporate R&D setting. Your DSO must authorize each CPT position individually, and the work must align with your program of study. Part-time CPT (under 20 hours per week) preserves your full 12 months of OPT eligibility after graduation.

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Overview

Open Jobs162+
Work Type87% On-site
Top LocationVienna, VA
Most JobsNavy Federal Credit Union

Showing 5 of 162+ Research Associate jobs

Global Markets Summer Associate, Equity Research
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Added 5d ago
Global Markets Summer Associate, Equity Research
RBC
New York, New York
Finance
Accounting
Business Analysis
Investment Banking & Capital Markets
$110k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Generative AI Researcher Intern
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Added 3mo ago
Generative AI Researcher Intern
TikTok
San Jose, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
$60/hr
On-Site
Doctorate

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Quantitative Researcher Intern
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Added 3mo ago
Quantitative Researcher Intern
Scientech Research LLC
Jersey City, New Jersey
Data Science & Analytics
Data Science
Data Analytics
$4,500/week
On-Site
Master's

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AI Robotics Researcher Intern (Dexterous Manipulation)
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Added 7mo ago
AI Robotics Researcher Intern (Dexterous Manipulation)
Nio Usa
San Jose, California
Software Engineering
Specialized Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Robotics Engineering
Data Science
$79k - $96k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Hunyuan Multimodal Algorithm Researcher Intern(Omni-Modal)​​
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Added 8mo ago
Hunyuan Multimodal Algorithm Researcher Intern(Omni-Modal)​​
Tencent America
Palo Alto, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Data Engineering
$80k - $125k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Research Associate CPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Research Associate job qualify for CPT authorization?

Yes, if the work is directly tied to your program of study and your school lists research practicum or similar experience as a curriculum requirement. Your DSO will evaluate the job description against your academic program. Positions in a field unrelated to your declared major won't qualify, even at a university lab.

Can I do CPT as a Research Associate while taking fewer than full-time credits?

CPT requires you to maintain full-time enrollment during the academic year. Most schools require you to be registered for a co-op, thesis research, or practicum course tied to your CPT placement. Summer is an exception at many institutions, but your DSO confirms your school's specific policy before you reduce your course load.

How do I find Research Associate employers who understand CPT work authorization?

Search Migrate Mate for Research Associate roles filtered by employers with prior international hiring history. Universities, federal research labs, think tanks, and biotechnology companies tend to have established processes for CPT students. Avoiding employers with no prior F-1 hiring experience reduces the risk of the offer falling through over work authorization confusion.

Does part-time CPT as a Research Associate affect my OPT eligibility?

Part-time CPT, defined as fewer than 20 hours per week, does not reduce your OPT eligibility regardless of how many months you complete. Only full-time CPT that totals 12 months or more eliminates OPT. If your research role offers both part-time and full-time tracks, the part-time designation protects your post-graduation options.

What happens if my Research Associate CPT employer wants to extend or change my role?

Any change in employer, job title, location, or hours requires a new CPT authorization from your DSO before the change takes effect. You can't simply continue working under your original I-20 if the scope of your Research Associate role changes materially. Submit an updated offer letter reflecting the new terms and request a revised I-20 with the corrected CPT details.