OPT Biology Jobs
Biology OPT jobs span research, biotech, clinical labs, and environmental science, giving F-1 students broad options during their 12-month standard OPT window. STEM-designated biology programs qualify graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided the employer enrolls in E-Verify and submits a formal training plan.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Title: Biology Substitute Teacher
Location: Great Hearts Anthem Prep (3950 W Arroyo Norte Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85087)
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Hourly
Position Summary: Great Hearts teaching substitutes guide students in a variety of subjects across grades 6-12; this role will focus on Science but can include Humanities, Math, Fine Arts, Languages, and Physical Education. Teachers lead students through intelligence, charisma, humor, moral integrity and example—in short, through love and friendship. Ultimately, our teachers strive to cultivate the minds and hearts of students in the wonder-filled pursuit of truth, beauty and goodness.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Create a classroom environment that will feel safe for all students to learn and reach their fullest potential.
- Follow lesson plans.
- Maintain orderly classroom.
- Provide timely and meaningful evaluation/correction of student work.
- Engage students utilizing the Socratic method.
- Lead students through intelligence, charisma, humor, moral integrity, and example.
- He/she must fully embrace the school's vision of community, of learning, and of leadership.
- Perform additional assigned campus duties.
- Reads, knows, and supports the philosophy, policies, procedures and other pertinent data of the school as published in the Faculty Handbook and most current Family Handbook.
- Follow school policies and procedures, including the Academy Crisis Plan, for ensuring the safety and security of students on campus.
- Provides reasonable assistance to those students in need of individual help and assists students to make-up work after approved absences.
- Communicate as needed with parents.
- Supports and enforces the school dress and behavior codes and makes reasonable efforts to promote the orderly behavior of all students in the school, on the grounds, and at off-campus school activities.
- Keeps accurate records and makes reports as required by the Headmaster.
- Evaluate and document the student's day-to-day work.
- Participate in faculty development on half-days as needed.
- Is an active member of the community of learners, and continues to pursue his or her own professional growth and development by taking graduate courses and/or attending seminars and workshops related to the profession.
- Pursues excellence in teaching and continues to develop his or her own knowledge of the great ideas and works of Western Civilization.
Required/Preferred Education:
- Bachelor's or higher degree is required for a long-term substitute teaching role
- Certification is not required for general education
- All majors are welcome
US work authorization is required, but we do accept OPT/CPT candidates.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Position Title: Biology Substitute Teacher
Location: Great Hearts Anthem Prep (3950 W Arroyo Norte Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85087)
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Hourly
Position Summary: Great Hearts teaching substitutes guide students in a variety of subjects across grades 6-12; this role will focus on Science but can include Humanities, Math, Fine Arts, Languages, and Physical Education. Teachers lead students through intelligence, charisma, humor, moral integrity and example—in short, through love and friendship. Ultimately, our teachers strive to cultivate the minds and hearts of students in the wonder-filled pursuit of truth, beauty and goodness.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Create a classroom environment that will feel safe for all students to learn and reach their fullest potential.
- Follow lesson plans.
- Maintain orderly classroom.
- Provide timely and meaningful evaluation/correction of student work.
- Engage students utilizing the Socratic method.
- Lead students through intelligence, charisma, humor, moral integrity, and example.
- He/she must fully embrace the school's vision of community, of learning, and of leadership.
- Perform additional assigned campus duties.
- Reads, knows, and supports the philosophy, policies, procedures and other pertinent data of the school as published in the Faculty Handbook and most current Family Handbook.
- Follow school policies and procedures, including the Academy Crisis Plan, for ensuring the safety and security of students on campus.
- Provides reasonable assistance to those students in need of individual help and assists students to make-up work after approved absences.
- Communicate as needed with parents.
- Supports and enforces the school dress and behavior codes and makes reasonable efforts to promote the orderly behavior of all students in the school, on the grounds, and at off-campus school activities.
- Keeps accurate records and makes reports as required by the Headmaster.
- Evaluate and document the student's day-to-day work.
- Participate in faculty development on half-days as needed.
- Is an active member of the community of learners, and continues to pursue his or her own professional growth and development by taking graduate courses and/or attending seminars and workshops related to the profession.
- Pursues excellence in teaching and continues to develop his or her own knowledge of the great ideas and works of Western Civilization.
Required/Preferred Education:
- Bachelor's or higher degree is required for a long-term substitute teaching role
- Certification is not required for general education
- All majors are welcome
US work authorization is required, but we do accept OPT/CPT candidates.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Biology
Confirm your program's STEM eligibility before applying
Not every biology degree qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Check that your CIP code falls under an approved STEM designation with your DSO before targeting roles that assume a longer authorization window.
Prioritize employers enrolled in E-Verify
STEM OPT extensions require your employer to participate in E-Verify. Research company hiring pages or HR departments in advance to confirm enrollment, since many smaller biotech firms and independent labs are not yet registered.
Align your job title to your degree on your resume
OPT requires employment directly related to your field of study. Frame your resume so the connection between your biology coursework and the target role is explicit, reducing any ambiguity during employer screening or DSO review.
Apply to research universities, hospitals, and federal agencies early
Academic medical centers, NIH-affiliated labs, and government agencies like the EPA and CDC regularly hire OPT students for research roles. These institutions are experienced with work authorization timelines and often have structured onboarding processes.
Understand the 90-day unemployment limit during standard OPT
USCIS allows a maximum of 90 unemployed days during standard OPT, and 150 days combined across standard and STEM extension. Track your gap days carefully and notify your DSO if a position falls through to stay compliant.
Use Migrate Mate to find biology roles that explicitly sponsor OPT
Generic job boards rarely filter for OPT-friendly employers. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 students, surfacing biology roles at companies already open to candidates who need work authorization support and STEM extension accommodation.
Biology OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do biology jobs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
Many do, but it depends on your specific degree's CIP code rather than the job title itself. Biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and related fields are commonly STEM-designated. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before assuming you qualify. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify and agree to submit a formal training plan for the extension to be approved.
Can I work in a clinical lab or hospital setting on OPT?
Yes, provided the role is directly related to your biology degree. Clinical research assistant, laboratory technician, and research coordinator positions at hospitals and diagnostic labs are common OPT placements. Roles requiring a clinical license you don't yet hold may restrict your scope of work, so clarify the job description with the employer before accepting an offer.
How do I find biology employers who are comfortable hiring OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 students and surfaces biology roles at employers already open to OPT candidates. Larger biotech firms, research universities, and federal contractors tend to have established processes for OPT hiring. When applying elsewhere, look for postings that mention E-Verify enrollment or explicitly state they consider candidates requiring work authorization.
What happens to my OPT status if my biology job ends unexpectedly?
You're allowed up to 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT, or 150 combined days across standard and STEM extension periods. Report the job loss to your DSO immediately and document your active job search. Exceeding the unemployment limit puts your status at risk, so it's important to begin the search for a new position without delay.
Can I work for a startup or small biotech company on OPT?
Yes, OPT permits employment at small companies, including startups, as long as the work is related to your degree and you're classified as a paid employee rather than an independent contractor in most cases. For STEM OPT extension eligibility, the company must be enrolled in E-Verify, which some early-stage startups haven't completed, so verify enrollment with their HR team before accepting an offer.