Biotech Jobs for OPT Students
Biotech OPT jobs span drug discovery, clinical research, biomanufacturing, and regulatory affairs, making them a strong fit for STEM OPT students who can access a 24-month extension. Many biotech employers are experienced H-1B sponsors, which matters when your OPT clock is running.
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Get Access To All JobsBiotechnologist I
Location: Portsmouth, NH, USA.
We are seeking motivated individuals to join our rotational night shift (7 PM – 7 AM) in Portsmouth, NH, to help manufacture essential medicines. In this role, you will operate production equipment and perform foundational lab work while maintaining a clean, compliant facility. If you are a reliable professional looking to make a meaningful difference in the life sciences industry, we look forward to meeting you.
Schedule:
- Shift: Rotational Day Shift (7:00 PM – 7:00 AM)
- Pattern: 2 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off (repeating cycle)
- Starting off: First 2 week orientation and training period us on the day shift
- Weekend and night shifts include additional pay.
What will you get?
- An agile career and dynamic working culture
- An inclusive and ethical workplace
- Compensation programs that recognize high performance
- Medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as PTO and more
- Our full list of global benefits can be found here: https://www.lonza.com/careers/benefits.
What you’ll do:
- Production Operations: Set up, operate, and monitor core production equipment and processes, including Clean-in-Place (CIP) and Steam-in-Place (SIP) operations.
- Basic Lab Work & Material Handling: Perform basic laboratory tasks, such as monitoring pH, conductivity, and product sampling, and accurately transfer raw materials and chemicals across production areas.
- Documentation & Compliance: Accurately document all production activities in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Good Documentation Practices (GDPs).
- Facility & Equipment Readiness: Maintain the cleanliness and organization of facilities and equipment, executing routine sanitization tasks and supporting 6S programs.
- Training & Development: Attain and maintain qualifications for all assigned tasks, actively keeping individual training plans up to date.
- Team & Administrative Support: Participate in essential administrative duties, including shift exchanges, meetings, email.
What we’re looking for:
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent is required, AS/BS in Science-related fields is preferred.
- Compliance & Process: Must be comfortable asking questions and strictly following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Experience (A Plus): Prior experience in a GMP, biotech, or pharmaceutical environment is beneficial but not required.
- Core Skills: Strong attention to detail is essential for accurate execution of tasks.
About Lonza
At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.
Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.
Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now
Biotechnologist I
Location: Portsmouth, NH, USA.
We are seeking motivated individuals to join our rotational night shift (7 PM – 7 AM) in Portsmouth, NH, to help manufacture essential medicines. In this role, you will operate production equipment and perform foundational lab work while maintaining a clean, compliant facility. If you are a reliable professional looking to make a meaningful difference in the life sciences industry, we look forward to meeting you.
Schedule:
- Shift: Rotational Day Shift (7:00 PM – 7:00 AM)
- Pattern: 2 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off (repeating cycle)
- Starting off: First 2 week orientation and training period us on the day shift
- Weekend and night shifts include additional pay.
What will you get?
- An agile career and dynamic working culture
- An inclusive and ethical workplace
- Compensation programs that recognize high performance
- Medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as PTO and more
- Our full list of global benefits can be found here: https://www.lonza.com/careers/benefits.
What you’ll do:
- Production Operations: Set up, operate, and monitor core production equipment and processes, including Clean-in-Place (CIP) and Steam-in-Place (SIP) operations.
- Basic Lab Work & Material Handling: Perform basic laboratory tasks, such as monitoring pH, conductivity, and product sampling, and accurately transfer raw materials and chemicals across production areas.
- Documentation & Compliance: Accurately document all production activities in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Good Documentation Practices (GDPs).
- Facility & Equipment Readiness: Maintain the cleanliness and organization of facilities and equipment, executing routine sanitization tasks and supporting 6S programs.
- Training & Development: Attain and maintain qualifications for all assigned tasks, actively keeping individual training plans up to date.
- Team & Administrative Support: Participate in essential administrative duties, including shift exchanges, meetings, email.
What we’re looking for:
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent is required, AS/BS in Science-related fields is preferred.
- Compliance & Process: Must be comfortable asking questions and strictly following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Experience (A Plus): Prior experience in a GMP, biotech, or pharmaceutical environment is beneficial but not required.
- Core Skills: Strong attention to detail is essential for accurate execution of tasks.
About Lonza
At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.
Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.
Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Biotech
Target STEM-designated degree holders first
If your degree is in biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, or a related STEM field, confirm your program's CIP code qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension before applying. That extra runway changes how employers evaluate your sponsorship timeline.
Prioritize companies with active H-1B filing history
Search for biotech employers who filed H-1B petitions in recent years. Companies like Genentech, Regeneron, and Moderna have consistent sponsorship track records. Prior filings signal that immigration infrastructure is already in place, reducing friction when your OPT period ends.
Apply to contract research organizations strategically
CROs like ICON, Covance, and Charles River Laboratories frequently hire OPT students for clinical and lab roles. They often have in-house immigration counsel and sponsor H-1B visas regularly, making them practical targets even when large pharma companies move slowly.
Frame your OPT timeline clearly in early conversations
Tell recruiters upfront that you have OPT work authorization and, if applicable, are eligible for the STEM extension. Biotech hiring managers are generally familiar with these timelines and appreciate transparency rather than discovering authorization questions late in the process.
Highlight regulatory and compliance skills explicitly
FDA-regulated environments require documentation discipline, GMP familiarity, and attention to detail that not every candidate has. Calling these out on your resume signals immediate value to biotech employers, which makes sponsorship feel like a worthwhile investment from their perspective.
Use your university's industry connections before graduation
Many biotech companies actively recruit through university research partnerships and career fairs. Faculty advisors often have direct contacts at local biotech firms. A warm introduction from a principal investigator carries more weight than a cold application and can accelerate hiring timelines.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do biotech companies typically sponsor OPT students for H-1B visas?
Many established biotech companies do sponsor H-1B visas, particularly for roles in research, clinical operations, and regulatory affairs where specialized degrees are required. Larger employers like Amgen, Biogen, and Pfizer have dedicated immigration teams. Smaller startups are less consistent, so it's worth confirming sponsorship policy before accepting an offer. Browse OPT-friendly biotech employers on Migrate Mate to narrow your search.
Which biotech roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
Roles must be directly related to your STEM degree field to qualify for the extension. Positions in bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, and laboratory research typically qualify. You'll need a formal training plan signed by your employer and submitted through your DSO. Roles that are primarily administrative, even at a biotech company, may not meet the direct-relationship requirement.
What does the OPT reporting requirement mean for biotech employees?
While on OPT, you must report any change of employer, job title, or work location to your DSO within 10 days. In biotech, this matters if you transition between a contract research role and a full-time position, or move between company sites. Failing to update your record can jeopardize your status even if your work authorization is otherwise valid.
Can I work on multiple biotech projects or for multiple clients while on OPT?
OPT requires employment with a single authorized employer unless you're working as a legitimate independent contractor. In biotech, some consulting or CRO arrangements may involve client site work, which is generally permissible as long as the staffing agency or CRO remains your employer of record. Unauthorized self-employment or unreported employer changes can create serious status issues.
How do I find biotech companies that are open to hiring OPT students?
The most efficient approach is filtering specifically for OPT-friendly employers rather than applying broadly and discovering sponsorship limitations late. Migrate Mate lists biotech jobs from employers who actively hire international students on OPT work authorization, so you can identify companies already comfortable with the authorization process before reaching out.
See which Biotech employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
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