OPT AI Research Scientist Jobs
AI Research Scientist roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions in tech, most require advanced degrees in computer science, machine learning, or a related field, which aligns well with F-1 students. STEM OPT extension eligibility gives you up to three years of work authorization, and many employers in this space actively recruit international researchers.
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Position Summary:
The Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine’s, Department of Population Health, is recruiting a visionary faculty member in Artificial Intelligence in Medicine to develop and lead transformative AI-driven initiatives that advance population health, health equity, healthcare delivery, biomedical and community-engaged research. This role offers the opportunity to advance AI applications, machine learning, data science and predictive analytics to address complex public health challenges, improve health outcomes, optimize healthcare systems, enhance biomedical research, innovate clinical research, and develop next-generation graduate and medical education. The successful candidate will serve as a catalyst for cross-disciplinary collaboration, advancing discovery, and improving health outcomes on a broad scale.
The mission of the Schmidt College of Medicine as a community-based medical school is to advance the health and well-being of our community by training future generations of humanistic clinicians and scientists and translating discoveries to patient-centered care. We are committed to providing educational programs that enable our trainees to become active, self-directed, lifelong learners who understand the centrality of collaborative relationships in healthcare research and delivery. We are looking for someone with visionary thinking and a passion for ultimately advancing scientific knowledge and healthcare delivery.
The successful candidate will lead and contribute to cutting-edge research, education, and strategic initiatives at the intersection of artificial intelligence, population health, public health, healthcare delivery, and health services research.
Key Responsibilities
- Research & Innovation
- Collaborate with researchers throughout the College and University to integrate AI into ongoing translational and clinical projects. Contributes to basic and applied research activities and authors scientific publications, technical and agency reports, and patent preparations.
- Contribute to institutional AI strategic efforts.
- Develop, lead, and sustain a competitive, externally funded research program (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD, industry) applying AI/ML methodologies across cutting edge research including observational, clinical, community-based, health services research projects and health outcomes research.
- Disseminate findings in high-impact journals and at national and/or international conferences.
- Graduate Education & Curriculum Development
- Design, implement, and evaluate AI-focused coursework for graduate, medical, and health professional education.
- Mentor College of Medicine graduate students, medical students, residents, postdocs, and faculty in the development, utilization and policies of AI methodologies in healthcare, clinical, population health, public health, or biomedical research settings.
- Embed AI modules into existing core and elective courses in the College of Medicine.
- Serve as a resource for developing new educational programs in the College of Medicine.
- College-wide Service & Collaboration
- Serve as an AI resource for faculty and researchers, offering expertise and guidance on data science integration across departments.
- Partner with program directors to identify AI integration opportunities in existing and future graduate curricula.
- Contribute to departmental, college, and university committees, and participate in strategic AI-related initiatives and help shape the College’s AI strategy.
- Build and sustain partnerships with industry, government agencies, and academic collaborators to foster AI-driven research, training, and innovation.
- Collaborate with clinical partners to develop learning health systems initiatives that narrow the gap between evidence and practice.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree or experience in applying artificial intelligence, machine learning, or advanced analytics in healthcare, clinical, population health, public health, or biomedical research settings.
- Demonstrated AI and/or machine learning expertise with relevance to biomedical, public health, or clinical challenges.
- Strong research publication record and proven (for senior roles) or potential (for junior roles) success in obtaining external funding, publications, and successful mentoring of junior faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and/or graduate students.
- Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and educational excellence.
- Working knowledge of ethical, regulatory, privacy, and governance considerations related to the use of AI in healthcare and biomedical research, including data security, bias mitigation, and responsible AI practices.
- Experience working with healthcare data sources, such as electronic health records (EHRs), claims data, registries, clinical research datasets, or population health databases.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing, implementing, evaluating, or advising on AI governance frameworks, policies, standards, or best practices within healthcare, public health, academic medical centers, government agencies, or healthcare organizations.
- Experience applying AI and machine learning methodologies to public health, population health management, health equity, healthcare operations, quality improvement, or community health initiatives.
- Demonstrated success translating AI innovations into real-world clinical, public health, or healthcare delivery environments.
- Experience collaborating with healthcare systems, public health agencies, community organizations, or other external stakeholders on AI-driven initiatives.
- Expertise in emerging areas of AI in healthcare, including generative AI, large language models, clinical decision support, predictive analytics, precision medicine, digital health, and learning health systems.
- Experience evaluating the ethical, legal, regulatory, and societal implications of AI technologies in healthcare and public health settings.
- Knowledge of federal and state policies, guidance, and evolving best practices related to the deployment of AI in healthcare and public health environments.
- Documented success in cross-disciplinary collaboration and research between basic science and clinical faculty.
- Engagement in curriculum development or AI educational programming in health sciences.
Salary:
Commensurate with Experience
College or Department:
Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
Location:
Boca Raton
Work Days and Hours:
N/A
Application Deadline:
2026-11-30
Special Instructions to Applicant:
This is a research or research-related support position. As required by Florida Statutes Section 1010.35, a Foreign Influence Screening may be required.
This position is open until filled and may close without prior notice.
This position is subject to funding.
All applicants must apply electronically to the currently posted position on the Office of Human Resources' job website by completing the required employment application for this recruitment and submitting the related documents.
Required Documents:
FAU’s Career Page permits the attachment of required/requested documentation.
PLEASE NOTE: A maximum of five (5) documents may be attached to your application. If more than five (5) documents are required for submission, please combine additional documents into a single attachment to not exceed the maximum permitted.
The site permits the attachment of required/requested documentation. Candidates wishing full consideration are to provide the following: a cover letter and curriculum vitae.
Transcripts:
The selected candidate for this position is required to submit an official transcript sent directly from the institution for the Provost’s credential file prior to the first day of employment. Similarly, for degrees from outside the United States, the evaluation by an organization belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation (NACES), with an indication of the documents the evaluation was prepared from (official transcripts, diplomas, dissertation abstracts) is required for the Provost’s credential file prior to the first day of employment. Transcripts must be issued to Florida Atlantic University, not to the individual applicant.
Background Screening:
Selected candidates must successfully complete and pass all employment screenings prior to the start of employment. Employment screenings may include a criminal background check (level I and level II), motor vehicle check, credit check, reference checks, alcohol, and drug screening check.
Accommodations:
Individuals requiring accommodation, please call 561-297-3057. 711
See all 782+ OPT AI Research Scientist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an AI Research Scientist
Target research-heavy employers
Companies with dedicated AI research labs, think large tech firms and university spinouts, are far more likely to sponsor OPT than generalist employers. Their hiring pipelines are built around international researchers with advanced degrees.
Lead with your research output
Publications, conference presentations, and GitHub repositories carry more weight for AI Research Scientist roles than job history. Highlight first-author papers and accepted submissions to NeurIPS, ICML, or ICLR prominently on your resume and application.
Confirm your STEM OPT eligibility early
Most AI Research Scientist roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you three years total. Verify your degree program CIP code with your DSO before applying so you can communicate your full authorization window to employers.
Address OPT timing proactively
Employers worry about authorization gaps more than the visa itself. Know your OPT start date, expiration, and STEM extension deadline, and be ready to walk a hiring manager through the timeline clearly during early conversations.
Align your specialty with employer roadmaps
Generative AI, reinforcement learning, and multimodal systems are active research priorities at many labs. Framing your PhD work or postdoc research around a specific technical area an employer is investing in strengthens your case significantly.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-ready roles
Not every employer understands OPT. Migrate Mate surfaces AI Research Scientist positions from companies already familiar with sponsoring international researchers, so you spend less time filtering and more time applying to genuinely viable opportunities.
AI Research Scientist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do AI Research Scientist roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. AI Research Scientist positions typically fall under CIP codes in computer science, electrical engineering, or mathematics, all STEM-designated fields. If your degree program is STEM-classified, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of work authorization total. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
Do I need a PhD to get an AI Research Scientist job on OPT?
A PhD is standard for research scientist roles at major AI labs, but some companies hire MS graduates into research scientist or associate researcher positions. If you hold an MS, focus on employers with applied research teams rather than pure research labs. Your publication record and demonstrated research output will matter more than the degree level alone.
How do I find AI Research Scientist jobs that sponsor OPT?
The challenge isn't finding AI research roles, it's identifying which employers already understand OPT authorization. Migrate Mate filters for companies with a track record of hiring international researchers on OPT and H-1B visa, so you can focus your applications on employers who won't drop you at the offer stage over visa questions.
Can I work on a research project independently while on OPT?
OPT requires that your employment be directly related to your degree field, but independent consulting or contract research can qualify as long as it's legitimate work in your field and you track your employment properly. Unpaid self-directed projects don't count toward your employment requirement. Any gap of 90 days or more of unemployment while on OPT can jeopardize your status.
What happens to my OPT if my employer's H-1B petition for me isn't selected in the lottery?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf and it isn't selected, your OPT remains valid until its expiration date. If you have a STEM OPT extension, you can continue working under that authorization. Many AI research employers will refile in the next lottery cycle. It's worth discussing this scenario openly with your employer before accepting an offer.