OPT Analytical Chemist Jobs
Analytical Chemist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students, with STEM OPT extension eligibility giving you up to three years of work authorization. Most positions require a degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field, and employers in pharma, biotech, and environmental testing routinely sponsor visas.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Summary
Responsible for quality, safety, and compliance of materials and products used in commercial medical device diagnostic product manufacture; performs analytical testing in a cGMP laboratory. Generates accurate, reliable data supporting product release, regulatory compliance, and uninterrupted manufacturing operations; partners with Manufacturing, QA, Supplier Quality, R&D, Engineering, and other teams.
Position Duties
- Perform testing of raw materials, reference standards, in-process materials, finished products, and stability samples.
- Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain HPLC, IC, FTIR, UV-Vis, conductivity, pH, titration systems, balances, and related equipment.
- Review data for GDP and ALCOA+ compliance.
- Support OOS, OOT, deviations, CAPA, nonconforming-material investigations, root cause analysis, method verification, validation, transfers, qualification, calibration, and preventive maintenance.
- Partner cross-functionally on disposition and production schedules.
- Maintain records under FDA, ISO 13485, cGMP, GLP, and QMS requirements.
- Support continuous improvement, technical reporting, procedure revisions, training, and mentoring.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, or related scientific discipline.
Preferred Qualifications
- 3+ years of QC analytical laboratory experience, including the following:
- Experience in an FDA-regulated environment.
- cGMP, GLP, GDP.
- Hands-on HPLC, FTIR, UV-Vis, and/or IC experience.
- Analytical, troubleshooting, organizational, communication skills.
- ISO 13485, SAP, TrackWise, QMS, method validation/transfer, technical writing.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Consistently upholds and reflects the core ethical principles and values that bioMérieux promotes.
- Demonstrates assertiveness and confidence in the face of a challenge.
- Effective verbal communication skills.
- Practicing time management to allocate tasks, balance priorities, and meet deadlines efficiently.
- Thriving in a fast-paced environment by managing tasks, multitasking, and adapting quickly to maintain productivity.
- Critical thinking, using logic and reason to analyze information and make decisions in the workplace.
- Skilled in MS Office tools to include but not limited to Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel, Intermediate.
Working Conditions
- Ability to remain in stationary position, either sitting or standing, for prolonged periods.
- Ability to ascend/descend stairs, ladders, ramps, and the like.
- Ability to wear PPE correctly most of the day.
- Ability to adjust or move objects up to 50 pounds in all directions.
- Must be comfortable with occasional strong smells.
- Domestic travel: 0%
- International travel: 0%
The estimated salary range for this role is between $58,700 and $88,000. This role is eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and individual performance per bioMérieux’s bonus program. This range may differ from ranges offered for similar positions elsewhere in the country given differences in cost of living. Actual compensation within this range is determined based on the successful candidate’s experience and will be presented in writing at the time of the offer.
In addition, bioMérieux offers a competitive Total Rewards package that may include:
- A choice of medical (including prescription), dental, and vision plans providing nationwide coverage and telemedicine options
- Company-Provided Life and Accidental Death Insurance
- Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Retirement Plan including a generous non-discretionary employer contribution and employer match.
- Adoption Assistance
- Wellness Programs
- Employee Assistance Program
- Commuter Benefits
- Various voluntary benefit offerings
- Discount programs
- Parental leaves
biojobs
Position Summary
Responsible for quality, safety, and compliance of materials and products used in commercial medical device diagnostic product manufacture; performs analytical testing in a cGMP laboratory. Generates accurate, reliable data supporting product release, regulatory compliance, and uninterrupted manufacturing operations; partners with Manufacturing, QA, Supplier Quality, R&D, Engineering, and other teams.
Position Duties
- Perform testing of raw materials, reference standards, in-process materials, finished products, and stability samples.
- Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain HPLC, IC, FTIR, UV-Vis, conductivity, pH, titration systems, balances, and related equipment.
- Review data for GDP and ALCOA+ compliance.
- Support OOS, OOT, deviations, CAPA, nonconforming-material investigations, root cause analysis, method verification, validation, transfers, qualification, calibration, and preventive maintenance.
- Partner cross-functionally on disposition and production schedules.
- Maintain records under FDA, ISO 13485, cGMP, GLP, and QMS requirements.
- Support continuous improvement, technical reporting, procedure revisions, training, and mentoring.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, or related scientific discipline.
Preferred Qualifications
- 3+ years of QC analytical laboratory experience, including the following:
- Experience in an FDA-regulated environment.
- cGMP, GLP, GDP.
- Hands-on HPLC, FTIR, UV-Vis, and/or IC experience.
- Analytical, troubleshooting, organizational, communication skills.
- ISO 13485, SAP, TrackWise, QMS, method validation/transfer, technical writing.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Consistently upholds and reflects the core ethical principles and values that bioMérieux promotes.
- Demonstrates assertiveness and confidence in the face of a challenge.
- Effective verbal communication skills.
- Practicing time management to allocate tasks, balance priorities, and meet deadlines efficiently.
- Thriving in a fast-paced environment by managing tasks, multitasking, and adapting quickly to maintain productivity.
- Critical thinking, using logic and reason to analyze information and make decisions in the workplace.
- Skilled in MS Office tools to include but not limited to Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel, Intermediate.
Working Conditions
- Ability to remain in stationary position, either sitting or standing, for prolonged periods.
- Ability to ascend/descend stairs, ladders, ramps, and the like.
- Ability to wear PPE correctly most of the day.
- Ability to adjust or move objects up to 50 pounds in all directions.
- Must be comfortable with occasional strong smells.
- Domestic travel: 0%
- International travel: 0%
The estimated salary range for this role is between $58,700 and $88,000. This role is eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and individual performance per bioMérieux’s bonus program. This range may differ from ranges offered for similar positions elsewhere in the country given differences in cost of living. Actual compensation within this range is determined based on the successful candidate’s experience and will be presented in writing at the time of the offer.
In addition, bioMérieux offers a competitive Total Rewards package that may include:
- A choice of medical (including prescription), dental, and vision plans providing nationwide coverage and telemedicine options
- Company-Provided Life and Accidental Death Insurance
- Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Retirement Plan including a generous non-discretionary employer contribution and employer match.
- Adoption Assistance
- Wellness Programs
- Employee Assistance Program
- Commuter Benefits
- Various voluntary benefit offerings
- Discount programs
- Parental leaves
biojobs
See all OPT Analytical Chemist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Analytical Chemist
Target STEM-designated degree programs
Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Chemical Engineering are all STEM-designated fields. Confirming your degree falls under a STEM CIP code qualifies you for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving employers more runway to sponsor you long-term.
Focus on pharma and biotech employers
Pharmaceutical and biotech companies hire analytical chemists in large volumes and have established visa sponsorship pipelines. These employers are familiar with OPT timelines and STEM extension requirements, making them far more receptive than smaller laboratories or startups.
File your OPT application at least 90 days early
USCIS recommends applying no earlier than 90 days before your graduation date. Processing can take 3 to 5 months, so timing matters. A delayed EAD can push back your start date and complicate job offer negotiations significantly.
Highlight GC-MS, HPLC, and NMR expertise upfront
Employers screening OPT candidates want to see technical skills immediately. Lead your resume with instrumentation proficiency, including specific platforms you have operated. This signals you can contribute from day one and reduces perceived onboarding risk tied to visa status.
Ask about E-Verify enrollment before applying
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be E-Verify enrolled. Before investing time in interviews, confirm the company participates. Many large pharma and contract research organizations are already enrolled, but smaller labs often are not.
Connect your degree field directly to the job description
Hiring managers and immigration teams both scrutinize whether your degree relates to the role. In cover letters and interviews, explicitly connect your coursework in analytical techniques, instrumentation, or quality control to the specific responsibilities listed in the job posting.
Analytical Chemist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Analytical Chemist on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Analytical Chemist roles qualify for F-1 OPT because the work is directly related to STEM fields like chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical engineering. Your OPT employment must be in a role related to your degree field. Most laboratory, quality control, and research positions at pharma, biotech, and environmental firms satisfy this requirement without issue.
Does an Analytical Chemist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree. If your undergraduate or graduate degree is in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or another STEM-designated field, and the employer is E-Verify enrolled, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. This brings your total OPT authorization to three years, giving employers significantly more time before needing to file an H-1B visa petition.
What types of employers hire Analytical Chemists and sponsor visas?
Pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, biotech firms, environmental testing labs, and food and beverage manufacturers are among the most active hirers of analytical chemists. Large employers in these industries typically have immigration counsel on staff and regularly sponsor H-1B visas. You can browse Analytical Chemist roles at sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate, which filters for companies with active OPT and visa sponsorship history.
What happens if my OPT expires before my employer files for H-1B?
If you have an approved STEM OPT extension, your work authorization can last through the H-1B cap-subject lottery period. If your OPT expires before H-1B approval, you'll need to stop working unless you have cap-gap protection, which automatically extends status for students with timely filed H-1B petitions. Planning your STEM extension timeline around H-1B filing deadlines is critical for continuous work authorization.
How should I address my OPT status when applying for Analytical Chemist roles?
Be transparent but framing matters. Rather than leading with visa restrictions, emphasize your STEM OPT eligibility and the three-year authorization window it provides. Mention E-Verify compliance readiness when relevant. Many analytical chemist hiring managers in pharma and biotech are familiar with OPT candidates and view strong technical skills, particularly in instrumentation and method development, as the primary hiring factor.