Biologist Jobs for OPT Students
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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About Collabera:
Established in 1991, Collabera is one of the fastest growing end-to-end information technology services and solutions companies globally. As a half a billion dollar IT company, Collabera's client-centric business model, commitment to service excellence and Global Delivery Model enables its global 2000 and leading mid-market clients to deliver successfully in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
With over 8200 IT professionals globally, Collabera provides value-added onsite, offsite and offshore technology services and solutions to premier corporations. Over the past few years, Collabera has been awarded numerous accolades and Industry recognitions including.
- Collabera awarded Best Staffing Company to work for in 2012 by SIA. (hyperlink here)
- Collabera listed in GS 100 - recognized for excellence and maturity
- Collabera named among the Top 500 Diversity Owned Businesses
- Collabera listed in GS 100 & ranked among top 10 service providers
- Collabera was ranked:
- 32 in the Top 100 Large Businesses in the U.S
- 18 in Top 500 Diversity Owned Businesses in the U.S
- 3 in the Top 100 Diversity Owned Businesses in New Jersey
- 3 in the Top 100 Privately-held Businesses in New Jersey
- 66th on FinTech 100
- 35th among top private companies in New Jersey
Collabera recognizes true potential of human capital and provides people the right opportunities for growth and professional excellence. Collabera offers a full range of benefits to its employees including paid vacations, holidays, personal days, Medical, Dental and Vision insurance, 401K retirement savings plan, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance.
Job Description
This position is NonExempt. Hours over 40 will be paid at Time and a Half.
Bachelors Degree in general biology with a focus in a specific discipline (i.e. cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology).
Some experience in that discipline 2-4 years preferred.
Familiarity with GMP and GLP and good documentation skills.
Qualifications
Experience in running ARCHITECT instrument.
The work will entail handling human serum or plasma samples and testing them for antibodies using the ARCHITECT instrument.
The candidate should be able to capture data and to generate excel files that display the data that has been obtained.
Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Company Description
About Collabera:
Established in 1991, Collabera is one of the fastest growing end-to-end information technology services and solutions companies globally. As a half a billion dollar IT company, Collabera's client-centric business model, commitment to service excellence and Global Delivery Model enables its global 2000 and leading mid-market clients to deliver successfully in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
With over 8200 IT professionals globally, Collabera provides value-added onsite, offsite and offshore technology services and solutions to premier corporations. Over the past few years, Collabera has been awarded numerous accolades and Industry recognitions including.
- Collabera awarded Best Staffing Company to work for in 2012 by SIA. (hyperlink here)
- Collabera listed in GS 100 - recognized for excellence and maturity
- Collabera named among the Top 500 Diversity Owned Businesses
- Collabera listed in GS 100 & ranked among top 10 service providers
- Collabera was ranked:
- 32 in the Top 100 Large Businesses in the U.S
- 18 in Top 500 Diversity Owned Businesses in the U.S
- 3 in the Top 100 Diversity Owned Businesses in New Jersey
- 3 in the Top 100 Privately-held Businesses in New Jersey
- 66th on FinTech 100
- 35th among top private companies in New Jersey
Collabera recognizes true potential of human capital and provides people the right opportunities for growth and professional excellence. Collabera offers a full range of benefits to its employees including paid vacations, holidays, personal days, Medical, Dental and Vision insurance, 401K retirement savings plan, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance.
Job Description
This position is NonExempt. Hours over 40 will be paid at Time and a Half.
Bachelors Degree in general biology with a focus in a specific discipline (i.e. cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology).
Some experience in that discipline 2-4 years preferred.
Familiarity with GMP and GLP and good documentation skills.
Qualifications
Experience in running ARCHITECT instrument.
The work will entail handling human serum or plasma samples and testing them for antibodies using the ARCHITECT instrument.
The candidate should be able to capture data and to generate excel files that display the data that has been obtained.
Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
See all 45+ Biologist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Biologist roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Biologist Jobs
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 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.
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 jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Biologist JobsFrequently 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.
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