OPT Biostatistician Jobs
Biostatistician roles are strong OPT fits because they require a specific graduate degree in statistics, biostatistics, or a related field, making H-1B visa sponsorship straightforward to justify. Most positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of authorized work experience while pursuing long-term sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout Astellas
Astellas is a global life sciences company committed to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. We provide transformative therapies in disease areas that include oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology and women's health. Through our research and development programs, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need. Learn more at Astellas.com.
Are you driven to make a real difference in the lives of patients?
We're seeking passionate individuals who thrive in dynamic environments, embrace new ideas, and aren't afraid to take intelligent risks. People who act with unwavering integrity and are deeply committed to making a tangible impact.
Purpose & Scope
Member of cross-functional teams, the primary purpose of the position is to act independently as Study Statistician / Medical Affairs Statistician (MA) / Exploratory Statistician / Regional Statistician Lead (RSTATL) or Lead Product Statistician (LPS) for routine works in an established area (clinical/ observational studies, MA tactic, Biomarker & PK/PD Analyses or local project). The position can also act as a Senior Methodology statistician independently validating the execution of complex common techniques, offering training/consulting to other statisticians, or researching solutions for novel situations.
The position is expected to understand when to seek Global Statistical Lead (GSTATL) and/or line management intervention to ensure successful outcome with respect to resource requirements or key strategic functional issues. Under guidance, this position may act as GSTATL, or represent the company on statistical matters at meetings with regulatory authorities, key opinion leaders, HTA or conferences.
Required Qualifications
- PhD or M.S in Biostatistics, Statistics or related scientific field
- 3+ years (6+ years for MS) of experience in applying statistical methods in biomedical research, Pharma, CRO, Academia or Healthcare industry or in providing statistical direction in these areas
- Good knowledge and skills in SAS required, knowledge of R preferred
- Good understanding of medical literature, clinical, regulatory, and commercial landscape
- Ability to understand, implement, and explain complex statistical methodology
Location and Working Environment
- This position is based in Northbrook, IL. Remote work from anywhere in the US is available.
At Astellas we recognize the importance of work/life balance, and we are proud to offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues at the office with the flexibility to also work from home. We believe this will optimize the most productive work environment for all employees to succeed and deliver. Hybrid work from certain locations may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines.
What awaits you at Astellas?
- Global collaboration: Become part of a connected global business of like-minded life science leaders, all dedicated to improving patients' lives worldwide. Real-world patient impact: Contribute to transformative therapies that reach patients around the world, knowing your work makes a difference every day.
- Relentless Innovation: Join a company at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs, where you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare.
- A Culture of Growth: Chart your own course within a supportive environment that values your contributions, champions your development, and empowers you to pursue your passions.
Our Organizational Values and Behaviors
Values: Innovation, Integrity and Impact sit at the heart of what we do.
Behaviors: We come together as ‘One Astellas’, working with courage and a sense of urgency. We are outcome focused and consistently take accountability for our personal contribution.
Salary Range
$125,090 - $178,700 (Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and organizational equity considerations)
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down
- 401(k) match and annual company contribution
- Company paid life insurance
- Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
- Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
- Company fleet vehicle for eligible positions
- Referral bonus program
LI-SS
About Astellas
Astellas is a global life sciences company committed to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. We provide transformative therapies in disease areas that include oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology and women's health. Through our research and development programs, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need. Learn more at Astellas.com.
Are you driven to make a real difference in the lives of patients?
We're seeking passionate individuals who thrive in dynamic environments, embrace new ideas, and aren't afraid to take intelligent risks. People who act with unwavering integrity and are deeply committed to making a tangible impact.
Purpose & Scope
Member of cross-functional teams, the primary purpose of the position is to act independently as Study Statistician / Medical Affairs Statistician (MA) / Exploratory Statistician / Regional Statistician Lead (RSTATL) or Lead Product Statistician (LPS) for routine works in an established area (clinical/ observational studies, MA tactic, Biomarker & PK/PD Analyses or local project). The position can also act as a Senior Methodology statistician independently validating the execution of complex common techniques, offering training/consulting to other statisticians, or researching solutions for novel situations.
The position is expected to understand when to seek Global Statistical Lead (GSTATL) and/or line management intervention to ensure successful outcome with respect to resource requirements or key strategic functional issues. Under guidance, this position may act as GSTATL, or represent the company on statistical matters at meetings with regulatory authorities, key opinion leaders, HTA or conferences.
Required Qualifications
- PhD or M.S in Biostatistics, Statistics or related scientific field
- 3+ years (6+ years for MS) of experience in applying statistical methods in biomedical research, Pharma, CRO, Academia or Healthcare industry or in providing statistical direction in these areas
- Good knowledge and skills in SAS required, knowledge of R preferred
- Good understanding of medical literature, clinical, regulatory, and commercial landscape
- Ability to understand, implement, and explain complex statistical methodology
Location and Working Environment
- This position is based in Northbrook, IL. Remote work from anywhere in the US is available.
At Astellas we recognize the importance of work/life balance, and we are proud to offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues at the office with the flexibility to also work from home. We believe this will optimize the most productive work environment for all employees to succeed and deliver. Hybrid work from certain locations may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines.
What awaits you at Astellas?
- Global collaboration: Become part of a connected global business of like-minded life science leaders, all dedicated to improving patients' lives worldwide. Real-world patient impact: Contribute to transformative therapies that reach patients around the world, knowing your work makes a difference every day.
- Relentless Innovation: Join a company at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs, where you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare.
- A Culture of Growth: Chart your own course within a supportive environment that values your contributions, champions your development, and empowers you to pursue your passions.
Our Organizational Values and Behaviors
Values: Innovation, Integrity and Impact sit at the heart of what we do.
Behaviors: We come together as ‘One Astellas’, working with courage and a sense of urgency. We are outcome focused and consistently take accountability for our personal contribution.
Salary Range
$125,090 - $178,700 (Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and organizational equity considerations)
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down
- 401(k) match and annual company contribution
- Company paid life insurance
- Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
- Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
- Company fleet vehicle for eligible positions
- Referral bonus program
LI-SS
See all 34+ OPT Biostatistician Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Biostatistician
Target employers with established OPT hiring pipelines
Pharmaceutical companies, academic medical centers, and federal agencies like the NIH and CDC regularly hire biostatisticians on OPT. These organizations have immigration counsel on retainer and understand the authorization timeline, making them far less likely to hesitate on sponsorship.
Confirm your role qualifies for STEM OPT extension early
Biostatistician positions almost universally qualify for the 24-month STEM extension under CIP code 27.0501. Verify this with your DSO before accepting an offer so your employer knows you have three years of authorized work, not one.
Emphasize your specific degree field during interviews
Biostatistician is a specialty occupation requiring a degree in biostatistics, statistics, or a closely related field. Naming your exact degree and its alignment with the role removes a key objection employers raise when weighing whether to sponsor an H-1B visa petition.
Raise sponsorship after demonstrating technical fit, not before
Bring up OPT and future H-1B sponsorship after you've established that your statistical methods, software proficiency, and domain knowledge match the role. Employers sponsor candidates they've already mentally hired, not candidates who lead with visa questions.
Understand your OPT reporting obligations to reassure employers
OPT requires you to report any employer change, job title change, or unemployment exceeding 90 days to your DSO. Walking an employer through these rules confidently signals that you'll stay compliant, which reduces their perceived risk of hiring you.
Use E-Verify enrollment as a sponsorship signal
STEM OPT extension employers must be enrolled in E-Verify. Before applying, confirm a company participates. E-Verify enrollment also correlates strongly with broader sponsorship willingness, making it a reliable proxy when researching whether a biostatistics team hires internationally.
Biostatistician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a biostatistician role qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in nearly all cases. Biostatistician positions align with CIP code 27.0501 (Statistics, General) and related codes, which appear on the official STEM Designated Degree Program list. As long as your degree field matches and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify, you can apply for the extension through your DSO before your initial 12-month OPT expires.
What degree fields support a biostatistician OPT position?
Degrees in biostatistics, statistics, mathematics, or epidemiology with a strong quantitative focus are the most accepted. Some employers will also consider degrees in public health or data science if your coursework included graduate-level statistical theory and methods. Your degree field needs to directly support the role to satisfy both OPT reporting requirements and eventual H-1B specialty occupation criteria.
How do I find biostatistician employers willing to sponsor OPT and H-1B?
Migrate Mate lists biostatistician jobs from employers with documented sponsorship histories, so you're not guessing which companies will support your immigration status. Pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and academic health systems are the most active sponsors in this field. Filtering by STEM OPT eligibility on Migrate Mate helps you focus on roles where the employer infrastructure for sponsorship is already in place.
Can I work as a biostatistician for a university or research institution on OPT?
Yes, and academic medical centers are among the most OPT-friendly employers for biostatisticians. Universities and affiliated research institutions regularly hire international graduates, often have dedicated international scholar offices, and frequently sponsor H-1B cap-exempt petitions, which bypass the annual lottery entirely. Cap-exempt sponsorship is a significant advantage worth asking about during the offer stage.
What happens if I'm between biostatistician contracts or projects during my OPT period?
OPT allows a maximum of 90 days of unemployment during the initial 12-month period, and an additional 60 days if you're approved for the STEM extension. Any gap must be reported to your DSO promptly. If your position is project-based or grant-funded, confirm with your employer before starting that the contract duration covers at least enough time to file an H-1B petition if needed.