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 JobsINTRODUCTION
We are seeking a highly qualified and motivated Senior Scientist to join the Discovery Oncology team in Boston. The ideal candidate must possess a strong scientific foundation, excellent technical skills, and a track record of contributing to cancer drug discovery research.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This role will support and lead research projects focused on developing cancer therapeutics. The successful candidate will work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to generate high-quality data and advance project goals. Key responsibilities include developing and optimizing assays, designing and executing well-controlled experiments, analyzing data, interpreting results, troubleshooting arising issues, and generating actionable insights to inform project decisions. The Senior Scientist will present progress updates at internal team and departmental meetings and will contribute to multiple projects simultaneously.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D. degree with 0-2 years of postdoctoral or industry experience, preferably in cancer biology, pharmacology, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or related field
- Or M.S. degree with 4+ years of industry experience
- OR B.S. degree with 7+ years of industry experience
Required experience and skills:
- Demonstrated experience supporting and advancing oncology drug discovery programs through data-driven decision making and contributions recognized through publications, presentations, or conference abstracts.
- Strong, hands-on wet lab experience in molecular and cellular biology techniques
- Experience with multi-color flow cytometry, Incucyte, cell viability assays, engineering cell line models (e.g., CRISPR, shRNA, lentiviral transduction, etc.)
- Experience with protein and biomarker analysis, including Western blotting, JESS, ELISA/ Meso Scale Discovery
- Ability to collaborate with in vivo pharmacology teams to support endpoint sample analysis, including processing and characterization of tumor and primary tissue samples
- Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation, with a sound understanding of statistical concepts and software, such as GraphPad Prism and FlowJo
- Demonstrated ability to work independently to design experiments, troubleshoot technical challenges, interpret results, and recommend next steps
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate scientific findings effectively to audiences
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous experience working with different therapeutic modalities in an industry setting, such as small molecules and biologics
- Demonstrated ability to thrive in a highly collaborative, cross-functional research environment
Required Skills:
- Assay Development
- Biochemical Assays
- Biologics
- Biomarkers
- Biopharmaceuticals
- Cancer Immunotherapy
- Cancer Research
- Cancer Therapy
- Cell Culture Techniques
- Data Generation
- Design of Experiments (DOE)
- Detail-Oriented
- Drug Discovery Research
- Drug Target Identification
- Experimental Methods
- Flow Cytometry
- High Content Screening
- Immunoassays
- Immunology
- In Vivo Models
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmaceutical Research
- Pharmacology
- Researching
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $119,100.00 - $187,500.00
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at the company’s careers page.
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
EEOC Know Your Rights
EEOC GINA Supplement
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together talented and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills, and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
LOCATION
Location: Boston
Employee Status:
Regular
Relocation:
Domestic
VISA Sponsorship:
Yes
Travel Requirements:
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
09/29/2026
A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Requisition ID: R417952
INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a highly qualified and motivated Senior Scientist to join the Discovery Oncology team in Boston. The ideal candidate must possess a strong scientific foundation, excellent technical skills, and a track record of contributing to cancer drug discovery research.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This role will support and lead research projects focused on developing cancer therapeutics. The successful candidate will work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to generate high-quality data and advance project goals. Key responsibilities include developing and optimizing assays, designing and executing well-controlled experiments, analyzing data, interpreting results, troubleshooting arising issues, and generating actionable insights to inform project decisions. The Senior Scientist will present progress updates at internal team and departmental meetings and will contribute to multiple projects simultaneously.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D. degree with 0-2 years of postdoctoral or industry experience, preferably in cancer biology, pharmacology, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or related field
- Or M.S. degree with 4+ years of industry experience
- OR B.S. degree with 7+ years of industry experience
Required experience and skills:
- Demonstrated experience supporting and advancing oncology drug discovery programs through data-driven decision making and contributions recognized through publications, presentations, or conference abstracts.
- Strong, hands-on wet lab experience in molecular and cellular biology techniques
- Experience with multi-color flow cytometry, Incucyte, cell viability assays, engineering cell line models (e.g., CRISPR, shRNA, lentiviral transduction, etc.)
- Experience with protein and biomarker analysis, including Western blotting, JESS, ELISA/ Meso Scale Discovery
- Ability to collaborate with in vivo pharmacology teams to support endpoint sample analysis, including processing and characterization of tumor and primary tissue samples
- Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation, with a sound understanding of statistical concepts and software, such as GraphPad Prism and FlowJo
- Demonstrated ability to work independently to design experiments, troubleshoot technical challenges, interpret results, and recommend next steps
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate scientific findings effectively to audiences
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous experience working with different therapeutic modalities in an industry setting, such as small molecules and biologics
- Demonstrated ability to thrive in a highly collaborative, cross-functional research environment
Required Skills:
- Assay Development
- Biochemical Assays
- Biologics
- Biomarkers
- Biopharmaceuticals
- Cancer Immunotherapy
- Cancer Research
- Cancer Therapy
- Cell Culture Techniques
- Data Generation
- Design of Experiments (DOE)
- Detail-Oriented
- Drug Discovery Research
- Drug Target Identification
- Experimental Methods
- Flow Cytometry
- High Content Screening
- Immunoassays
- Immunology
- In Vivo Models
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmaceutical Research
- Pharmacology
- Researching
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $119,100.00 - $187,500.00
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at the company’s careers page.
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
EEOC Know Your Rights
EEOC GINA Supplement
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together talented and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills, and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
LOCATION
Location: Boston
Employee Status:
Regular
Relocation:
Domestic
VISA Sponsorship:
Yes
Travel Requirements:
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
09/29/2026
A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Requisition ID: R417952
See all 158+ OPT Biology Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Biology Jobs.
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.