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 JobsPosition Objective: The Biologist will provide services for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) within the National Institutes of Health.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Perform a wide variety of complex procedures and techniques which include cell tissue culture of malaria parasites including both blood stages and sexual stages, serological assays ELISA, column chromatography and flow cytometry
- Perform in vitro malaria parasite growth inhibition assays GIA, ELISAs, and mosquito membrane feeding assays various animal and human sera and purified IgGs
- Calibrate and operate a variety of laboratory instruments used to perform tests, and analyses such as ELISA readers and spectrophotometers
- Write reports of findings, state methods and procedures, including any modifications employed, specimens and materials involved, and results of experiments
- Analyze, evaluate, and discuss the results of each experiment with the project officers as part of the planning process for subsequent studies
- Prepare various media, stock supplies, and other reagents for use in the laboratory
- Provide training to students and other laboratory personnel in the use of sophisticated laboratory equipment and in the performance of specialized procedures, techniques
- Perform QC of the laboratory including upkeep and routine maintenance of equipment upon government approval; submit orders for processing and maintain government approved laboratory supplies and equipment including chemicals, biological materials, liquid nitrogen; handle biological materials, infectious agents, biological wastes
- Perform computer analysis of data and use computers and various software programs to prepare data for publication
- Develop and update SOPs for the lab
- Maintain accurate, daily records of experiments and results in pen in bound laboratory notebooks; make minor modifications or adaptations to established methods, procedures, and or techniques to solve problems in the work
- Work product and documents related to maintaining accurate, daily records of experiments in laboratory notebooks
- Work products and documents related to performing complex procedures and techniques in the laboratory and writing reports of findings
- Work products and documents related to performing quality control and maintenance of laboratory equipment
- Work products and documents related to developing and updating SOPs for the lab
Basic Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Biological Sciences with a field of study in Biology or equivalent
- 4 years of experience in Biology or a related field
- Skilled in MS Office
- Experience demonstrating knowledge of maintaining accurate and detailed records
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written
- Detail-oriented and possess strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by this position.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
GAP Solutions provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to apply for a job us at recruiting@gapsi.com. You will need to reference the requisition number of the position in which you are interested. Your message will be routed to the appropriate recruiter who will assist you. Please note, this email address is only to be used for those individuals who need an accommodation to apply for a job. Emails for any other reason or those that do not include a requisition number will not be returned.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
This position is contingent upon contract award.
Position Objective: The Biologist will provide services for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) within the National Institutes of Health.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Perform a wide variety of complex procedures and techniques which include cell tissue culture of malaria parasites including both blood stages and sexual stages, serological assays ELISA, column chromatography and flow cytometry
- Perform in vitro malaria parasite growth inhibition assays GIA, ELISAs, and mosquito membrane feeding assays various animal and human sera and purified IgGs
- Calibrate and operate a variety of laboratory instruments used to perform tests, and analyses such as ELISA readers and spectrophotometers
- Write reports of findings, state methods and procedures, including any modifications employed, specimens and materials involved, and results of experiments
- Analyze, evaluate, and discuss the results of each experiment with the project officers as part of the planning process for subsequent studies
- Prepare various media, stock supplies, and other reagents for use in the laboratory
- Provide training to students and other laboratory personnel in the use of sophisticated laboratory equipment and in the performance of specialized procedures, techniques
- Perform QC of the laboratory including upkeep and routine maintenance of equipment upon government approval; submit orders for processing and maintain government approved laboratory supplies and equipment including chemicals, biological materials, liquid nitrogen; handle biological materials, infectious agents, biological wastes
- Perform computer analysis of data and use computers and various software programs to prepare data for publication
- Develop and update SOPs for the lab
- Maintain accurate, daily records of experiments and results in pen in bound laboratory notebooks; make minor modifications or adaptations to established methods, procedures, and or techniques to solve problems in the work
- Work product and documents related to maintaining accurate, daily records of experiments in laboratory notebooks
- Work products and documents related to performing complex procedures and techniques in the laboratory and writing reports of findings
- Work products and documents related to performing quality control and maintenance of laboratory equipment
- Work products and documents related to developing and updating SOPs for the lab
Basic Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Biological Sciences with a field of study in Biology or equivalent
- 4 years of experience in Biology or a related field
- Skilled in MS Office
- Experience demonstrating knowledge of maintaining accurate and detailed records
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written
- Detail-oriented and possess strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by this position.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
GAP Solutions provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to apply for a job us at recruiting@gapsi.com. You will need to reference the requisition number of the position in which you are interested. Your message will be routed to the appropriate recruiter who will assist you. Please note, this email address is only to be used for those individuals who need an accommodation to apply for a job. Emails for any other reason or those that do not include a requisition number will not be returned.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
This position is contingent upon contract award.
See all 48+ 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.