OPT Biologist Jobs
Biologist roles in pharmaceuticals, biotech, and government research agencies regularly hire F-1 OPT students, and many qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension under SOC codes 19-1020 and 19-1029. Your 12-month OPT clock starts on your EAD start date, so targeting employers with active E-Verify enrollment is non-negotiable from day one.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.
Cardiometabolic Research at Eli Lilly and Company advances preclinical research aimed at understanding and treating obesity and related metabolic diseases.
We are seeking a skilled, motivated, and versatile individual who can help to build a highly collaborative, successful drug discovery and development team in the Obesity research group in Boston. The successful candidate will use a strong in vivo pharmacology background and complementary wet laboratory experience to play a critical role in supporting end-to-end discovery efforts and established pipeline projects with an emphasis on anti-obesity therapeutics. The candidate will be responsible for setting up critical capabilities in the laboratory setting and working with other scientists within and across departments to achieve project and department goals.
Responsibilities
The Research Associate will perform and support in vivo pharmacology studies in rodent models, working under the direction of project scientists. In this role, you will implement study procedures with precision, collect and process biological samples, and document results accurately so that they can be analyzed and shared with the broader research team. The responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Perform rodent handling, blood collection, and dosing by subcutaneous (SC), oral (PO), and intraperitoneal (IP) routes according to study protocols.
- Measure and record body weight, body composition, and food intake throughout the course of in vivo studies.
- Collect tissues at study termination and complete downstream sample processing for analysis.
- Perform molecular and biochemical assessments (qPCR, Western blot, ELISA, etc).
- Function independently, work within a team-oriented lab environment, and work within cross-functional project teams.
- Analyze data independently, keep accurate records, and report data in written and oral formats. Perform work in full compliance with Lilly Research Policies and complete all required training activities in the timeframe specified.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
B.S. and/or M.S. in biology or a related scientific field with 2+ years of laboratory experience including hands-on in vivo rodent research experience
ADDITIONAL SKILLS/PREFERENCES
- Demonstrated proficiency in rodent handling and dosing, tissue collection, and downstream sample processing
- Previous experience with metabolic disease models
- Prior work with jugular vein cannulation and continuous infusion models
- Familiarity with pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) concepts
- Experience with tissue culture of adipose, liver, or muscle cells
Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.
Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (BE@Lilly), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $72,000 - $189,200
Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities). Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.
INTRODUCTION
At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.
Cardiometabolic Research at Eli Lilly and Company advances preclinical research aimed at understanding and treating obesity and related metabolic diseases.
We are seeking a skilled, motivated, and versatile individual who can help to build a highly collaborative, successful drug discovery and development team in the Obesity research group in Boston. The successful candidate will use a strong in vivo pharmacology background and complementary wet laboratory experience to play a critical role in supporting end-to-end discovery efforts and established pipeline projects with an emphasis on anti-obesity therapeutics. The candidate will be responsible for setting up critical capabilities in the laboratory setting and working with other scientists within and across departments to achieve project and department goals.
Responsibilities
The Research Associate will perform and support in vivo pharmacology studies in rodent models, working under the direction of project scientists. In this role, you will implement study procedures with precision, collect and process biological samples, and document results accurately so that they can be analyzed and shared with the broader research team. The responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Perform rodent handling, blood collection, and dosing by subcutaneous (SC), oral (PO), and intraperitoneal (IP) routes according to study protocols.
- Measure and record body weight, body composition, and food intake throughout the course of in vivo studies.
- Collect tissues at study termination and complete downstream sample processing for analysis.
- Perform molecular and biochemical assessments (qPCR, Western blot, ELISA, etc).
- Function independently, work within a team-oriented lab environment, and work within cross-functional project teams.
- Analyze data independently, keep accurate records, and report data in written and oral formats. Perform work in full compliance with Lilly Research Policies and complete all required training activities in the timeframe specified.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
B.S. and/or M.S. in biology or a related scientific field with 2+ years of laboratory experience including hands-on in vivo rodent research experience
ADDITIONAL SKILLS/PREFERENCES
- Demonstrated proficiency in rodent handling and dosing, tissue collection, and downstream sample processing
- Previous experience with metabolic disease models
- Prior work with jugular vein cannulation and continuous infusion models
- Familiarity with pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) concepts
- Experience with tissue culture of adipose, liver, or muscle cells
Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.
Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (BE@Lilly), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $72,000 - $189,200
Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities). Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.
See all 51+ OPT Biologist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Biologist
Verify your role qualifies for STEM OPT
Check your job title against the STEM Designated Degree Program List using O*NET before accepting an offer. Biologist roles under SOC 19-1029 typically qualify, but job descriptions framed around general lab technician duties can disqualify you.
Target E-Verify enrolled research employers
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify on your extension start date. Filter your search to federal labs, NIH-funded universities, and biotech firms that already run Form I-9 verification through E-Verify.
Use OFLC Wage Search to validate offer salaries
Before signing an offer, look up the prevailing wage for your specific SOC code and work location using OFLC Wage Search. Employers sponsoring H-1B visa later must meet this threshold, and starting below it complicates future petitions.
Request your employer file the I-983 early
The I-983 training plan must be signed by both you and your employer before your DSO can recommend the STEM OPT extension in SEVIS. Build at least two weeks into your timeline for internal HR approvals before your submission deadline.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days before expiration
USCIS allows you to apply up to 90 days before your OPT EAD expires. Filing early triggers an automatic 180-day cap-gap extension of work authorization, protecting you against USCIS processing backlogs common for biology-field petitions.
Use Migrate Mate to identify H-1B sponsoring employers
When your OPT window is closing, you need employers with active H-1B filing history in biological sciences. Use Migrate Mate to filter companies that have sponsored roles matching your SOC code, so you're not guessing at sponsorship willingness.
Biologist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Biologist roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
Most Biologist positions qualify if your degree is in biology, biochemistry, microbiology, or a related STEM field on the official Designated Degree Program List. The role must also fall under an eligible SOC code, typically 19-1020 or 19-1029. Your DSO confirms eligibility before recommending the extension in SEVIS, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify.
Can I work at a federal research agency like the NIH or USDA on OPT?
Yes, federal research agencies hire OPT students, but hiring timelines are often longer than private sector employers and some positions require security clearances that take months to process. Confirm that the specific agency office is enrolled in E-Verify before accepting an offer, since STEM OPT extension requires verified employer enrollment on your extension start date.
What happens to my OPT if my biotech employer does a layoff or closes?
You have a 60-day grace period from your last day of employment to find a new qualifying position, transfer to a new visa status, or depart the U.S. Notify your DSO immediately when employment ends. Any days of unemployment count against your total allowable unemployment limit, which is 90 days on standard OPT and 150 days on STEM OPT.
How do I find Biologist employers that will sponsor an H-1B after my OPT ends?
Look for employers with a documented history of filing H-1B petitions for biological sciences roles rather than relying on promises made during the interview process. Migrate Mate surfaces employers with active H-1B sponsorship history filtered by role and SOC code, so you can prioritize companies that have already navigated the process for candidates in your field.
Does contract or per diem research work count as valid OPT employment?
Contract and per diem roles can qualify as valid OPT employment if the work is directly related to your degree field and meets USCIS requirements for authorized OPT work. However, employment through staffing agencies adds complexity to the I-983 training plan required for STEM OPT. Your DSO needs to confirm the arrangement is structured correctly before you begin.