OPT Biochemist Jobs
Biochemist roles qualify for OPT work authorization, and most positions align directly with STEM-designated degree programs in biological sciences and chemistry, making you eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers in pharmaceuticals, biotech, and research institutions regularly sponsor F-1 students for H-1B visas after OPT.
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Company Description
Eurofins Scientific is an international life sciences company, providing a unique range of analytical testing services to clients across multiple industries, to make life and our environment safer, healthier and more sustainable. From the food you eat, to the water you drink, to the medicines you rely on, Eurofins laboratories work with the biggest companies in the world to ensure the products they supply are safe, their ingredients are authentic and labelling is accurate.
The Eurofins network of companies is the global leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing and in agroscience Contract Research Organisation services. It is one of the market leaders in certain testing and laboratory services for genomics, discovery pharmacology, forensics, advanced material sciences and in the support of clinical studies, as well as having an emerging global presence in Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations. It also has a rapidly developing presence in highly specialised and molecular clinical diagnostic testing and in-vitro diagnostic products.
In over 30 years, Eurofins has grown from one laboratory in Nantes, France to 58,000 staff across a decentralised and entrepreneurial network of 900 laboratories in over 54 countries. Eurofins companies offer a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods to evaluate the safety, identity, composition, authenticity, origin, traceability and purity of biological substances and products.
In 2021, Eurofins generated total revenues of EUR 6.72 billion, and has been among the best performing stocks in Europe over the past 20 years.
Job Description
- Analytical skills including Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and Reversed Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC).
- Support general laboratory operations by:
- Preparing buffers and other stock solutions
- Cleaning, calibrating, and maintaining instruments
- Restocking reagents and other consumables
- Managing laboratory waste collection and disposal
- Other routine tasks as appropriate
Qualifications
- Strong computer, scientific, and organizational skills
- Excellent communication (oral and written) and attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, self-motivation, adaptability, and a positive attitude
- Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, keep accurate records, follow instructions, and comply with company policies
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office software and Power BI programming skills (preferred).
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in life science concentration (chemistry, biology, or related fields) with more than 4 years of directly related industry experience or a MS/PhD degree in a life science concentration (chemistry, biology, or related fields) and up to 2 years of directly related industry experience.
- Authorization to work in the United States indefinitely without restriction or sponsorship
Additional Information
- The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8am-5 pm
- May be requested to work on weekends, overtime, and holidays based on business needs.
- Candidates currently living within a commutable distance of Indianapolis, IN are encouraged to apply.
- Ability to work overtime as required.
- Excellent full-time benefits, including comprehensive medical coverage, dental, and vision options
- Life and disability insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid vacation and holidays
Eurofins USA PSS Insourcing Solutions is a Disabled and Veteran Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Biochemist
Target STEM OPT-eligible employers
Focus your search on pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and research universities. These sectors have established pipelines for STEM OPT workers and are far more likely to support your 24-month extension and eventual H-1B sponsorship.
Confirm your degree's STEM classification
Biochemistry, molecular biology, and chemical biology degrees typically carry STEM CIP codes qualifying you for the extension. Verify your program's classification with your DSO before accepting a role, since your degree field drives your OPT timeline.
Disclose OPT status early in conversations
Raise your work authorization status before the offer stage. Biochemist roles in regulated industries involve background checks and onboarding timelines. Employers who are unfamiliar with OPT need time to confirm compliance before your start date.
Prioritize roles at E-Verify enrolled employers
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm enrollment before accepting any offer. Most large pharmaceutical and biotech employers already participate, but smaller contract research organizations may not.
Build relationships at lab-based career events
University research symposia and professional scientific conferences put you in direct contact with hiring managers who understand research backgrounds. These connections often lead to referrals at organizations already comfortable sponsoring international scientists.
Apply early to account for security clearance timelines
Government-funded research positions, including NIH-adjacent and defense contractor labs, can involve clearance processes that take months. Starting your application well before your OPT start date prevents gaps between graduation and authorized employment.
Biochemist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do biochemist roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. Biochemistry, molecular biology, and related biological science degrees are classified under STEM CIP codes that qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. You should verify your specific program's CIP code with your designated school official, since degree naming conventions vary across universities and not every biology-adjacent program qualifies automatically.
How do I find biochemist employers who sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists biochemist roles at employers open to sponsoring international candidates. Searching there filters out the noise of roles that won't work for your authorization status. Beyond that, pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and academic medical centers are the employer categories most consistently willing to sponsor.
Can I work as a biochemist at a university or research institute on OPT?
Yes. Academic institutions and nonprofit research institutes are among the most OPT-friendly employers in the sciences. Many are already familiar with F-1 work authorization through their own international student populations. Postdoctoral researcher roles, research associate positions, and laboratory technician jobs at universities regularly hire OPT students and often support H-1B sponsorship afterward.
Does a biochemist role have to be in a lab to count as authorized OPT employment?
Not necessarily. OPT employment must be directly related to your degree field, but that can include roles in regulatory affairs, quality control, scientific writing, or clinical research operations if your biochemistry background is genuinely central to the work. The key requirement is that the position uses the knowledge and skills your degree program trained you for.
What happens to my OPT status if my biochemist job ends before my authorization period expires?
F-1 students on post-completion OPT are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment during the standard 12-month period. On the STEM OPT extension, that limit increases to 150 cumulative days. If your biochemist role ends, you need to report the change to your DSO promptly and begin a focused job search immediately to stay within those limits.