CPT Research Intern Jobs

Research Intern roles on CPT give F-1 students hands-on lab, field, or data work that must connect directly to your degree program. Your DSO authorizes each position individually, so the employer's job description needs to match your curriculum before CPT begins. Part-time CPT (under 20 hours weekly) keeps your full-year OPT eligibility intact.

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Overview

Open Jobs176+
Work Type84% On-site
Top LocationSan Jose, CA
Most JobsTikTok

Showing 5 of 176+ Research Intern jobs

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Family History Research Project Intern
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Added 2d ago
Family History Research Project Intern
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Research Intern
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Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Added 3d ago
Research Intern
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California
$25 - $26/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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University of Utah
Research Quest Marketing Intern
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University of Utah
Added 3d ago
Research Quest Marketing Intern
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Marketing
Content & Communications
Growth Marketing
$15.00/hr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Undergraduate Research Intern
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Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Added 3d ago
Undergraduate Research Intern
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole, Massachusetts
Laboratory Research
$19 - $25/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
501-1,000

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Bosch
Wireless Systems Research Intern
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Bosch
Added 3d ago
Wireless Systems Research Intern
Bosch
Sunnyvale, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Data Science
Embedded Systems Engineering
$32 - $54/hr
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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Research Intern CPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Does a research intern role qualify for CPT authorization?

It qualifies if the work is an integral part of your established curriculum, meaning the research duties must connect directly to your degree program, not just your general field of study. Your DSO makes the final determination, so you'll need the employer's written job description and, in many cases, a faculty sponsor or advisor who can confirm the academic connection before your I-20 is updated.

Can I do CPT as a research intern at a national lab or federal agency?

Yes, federal agencies and national labs hire F-1 students on CPT regularly, but hiring timelines run longer than the private sector, often eight to twelve weeks from application to start date. Some positions also require you to be enrolled in a specific number of credit hours linked to the internship. Confirm E-Verify enrollment and any security clearance requirements before applying, since clearance processes can extend beyond a single CPT term.

What happens to my CPT authorization if the research project changes mid-term?

CPT is authorized for a specific employer and a specific set of duties tied to your curriculum. If the project scope shifts significantly, your DSO may require a new authorization before you continue working in the revised role. Contact your DSO as soon as you know about the change, not after the fact, because working outside your authorized CPT terms puts your F-1 status at risk.

How do I find research intern roles where employers already understand CPT?

Search Migrate Mate to identify employers with a history of hiring F-1 students on CPT. Employers already familiar with the authorization process move faster through the offer and onboarding steps, which matters when your CPT window is tied to a specific academic term with a fixed start date.

Does part-time CPT as a research intern affect my STEM OPT extension later?

Part-time CPT, defined as fewer than 20 hours per week, has no effect on your OPT or STEM OPT eligibility regardless of how many terms you use it. Full-time CPT totaling 12 months or more eliminates OPT entirely, so if you're considering multiple full-time research terms across different semesters, track your cumulative hours carefully with your DSO.