OPT Chemistry Professor Jobs
Chemistry Professor roles can qualify for OPT work authorization when the position requires a degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related field. Most university appointments involve research, teaching, and publication duties that align well with STEM OPT extension eligibility, giving you up to three years of work authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
This is an onsite full time, salaried position. This position works closely with Chemistry Section Director and lab leaders to ensure efficient technical operations, exceptional service, and full compliance with regulatory bodies. Duties include new assay implementation, policy/procedure review, quality assurance, equipment maintenance, compliance/accreditation, training/competency assessments, research projects, and inventory management. Phoenix Children's has a great work culture and is growing! We are looking for an individual who is willing to lead and inspire in one of the largest children’s hospitals in the country.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or related field
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) or Technologist in Chemistry (C) ASCP Certification or equivalent. Specialist in Chemistry (SC) or eligible to obtain within one year of employment preferred.
- A minimum of 4 years of experience performing chemistry testing in clinical laboratory setting
- Experience with new equipment/assay implementation, middleware/LIS validation, creating/reviewing SOPs, training/competency assessment, and quality assurance activities, including lab inspections
This position works collaboratively with Section Supervisors, Section Directors, Managers, and leadership team to provide technical supervision to ensure high quality daily technical operations of responsible sections across all locations in the healthcare system. Responsible for achieving and complying with established operating budget, quality control, inventory management and regulatory standards. This position receives supervision of completed work activities from the Laboratory Administrative Director.
POSITION DUTIES
- Develops and maintains policies and guidelines; employs policies and procedures, regulatory guidelines, and professional standards to validate current practice requirements and support overall organizational values and mission.
- Ensures adherence to departmental operating and capital budgets.
- Maintains professional and technical competency in all aspects of laboratory technology through constantly pursuing knowledge and self-improvement and remaining apprised of current trends, developments and awareness of latest technology and practices to improve outcomes.
- Participates in hospital and department operational and quality improvement initiatives; proactively evaluates systems, practices; assists, creates and implements changes to increase and enhance the effectiveness of the operations. Also, participates in organizational committees as pertinent.
- Performs patient testing, quality control testing, and instrument maintenance procedures to ensure ongoing compliance with policies, regulations, and safety guidelines for safe work practices.
- Oversees daily technical operations of laboratory section by monitoring quality and effectiveness of workflow, problem resolution and troubleshooting issues, and/or processes to ensure optimum efficiency and compliance with all regulatory and licensing requirements.
- Oversees work activities of staff to ensure achievement of established goals, objectives and outcomes; provides guidance, mentoring and direction as appropriate for ongoing staff development.
- Performs miscellaneous job related duties as requested.
PHOENIX CHILDREN'S MISSION, VISION, & VALUES
Mission
To advance hope, healing and the best healthcare for children and their families
Vision
Phoenix Children's will be the leading pediatric health system in the Southwest, nationally recognized for exceptional care, innovative research and advanced medical education.
We realize this vision by:
- Offering the most comprehensive care across ages, communities and specialties
- Investing in innovative research, including emerging treatments, tools and technologies
- Advancing education and training to shape the next generation of clinical leaders
- Advocating for the health and well-being of children and families
Values
- We place children and families at the center of all we do
- We deliver exceptional care, every day and in every way
- We collaborate with colleagues, partners and communities to amplify our impact
- We set the standards of pediatric healthcare today, and innovate for the future
- We are accountable for making the highest quality care accessible and affordable
INTRODUCTION
This is an onsite full time, salaried position. This position works closely with Chemistry Section Director and lab leaders to ensure efficient technical operations, exceptional service, and full compliance with regulatory bodies. Duties include new assay implementation, policy/procedure review, quality assurance, equipment maintenance, compliance/accreditation, training/competency assessments, research projects, and inventory management. Phoenix Children's has a great work culture and is growing! We are looking for an individual who is willing to lead and inspire in one of the largest children’s hospitals in the country.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or related field
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) or Technologist in Chemistry (C) ASCP Certification or equivalent. Specialist in Chemistry (SC) or eligible to obtain within one year of employment preferred.
- A minimum of 4 years of experience performing chemistry testing in clinical laboratory setting
- Experience with new equipment/assay implementation, middleware/LIS validation, creating/reviewing SOPs, training/competency assessment, and quality assurance activities, including lab inspections
This position works collaboratively with Section Supervisors, Section Directors, Managers, and leadership team to provide technical supervision to ensure high quality daily technical operations of responsible sections across all locations in the healthcare system. Responsible for achieving and complying with established operating budget, quality control, inventory management and regulatory standards. This position receives supervision of completed work activities from the Laboratory Administrative Director.
POSITION DUTIES
- Develops and maintains policies and guidelines; employs policies and procedures, regulatory guidelines, and professional standards to validate current practice requirements and support overall organizational values and mission.
- Ensures adherence to departmental operating and capital budgets.
- Maintains professional and technical competency in all aspects of laboratory technology through constantly pursuing knowledge and self-improvement and remaining apprised of current trends, developments and awareness of latest technology and practices to improve outcomes.
- Participates in hospital and department operational and quality improvement initiatives; proactively evaluates systems, practices; assists, creates and implements changes to increase and enhance the effectiveness of the operations. Also, participates in organizational committees as pertinent.
- Performs patient testing, quality control testing, and instrument maintenance procedures to ensure ongoing compliance with policies, regulations, and safety guidelines for safe work practices.
- Oversees daily technical operations of laboratory section by monitoring quality and effectiveness of workflow, problem resolution and troubleshooting issues, and/or processes to ensure optimum efficiency and compliance with all regulatory and licensing requirements.
- Oversees work activities of staff to ensure achievement of established goals, objectives and outcomes; provides guidance, mentoring and direction as appropriate for ongoing staff development.
- Performs miscellaneous job related duties as requested.
PHOENIX CHILDREN'S MISSION, VISION, & VALUES
Mission
To advance hope, healing and the best healthcare for children and their families
Vision
Phoenix Children's will be the leading pediatric health system in the Southwest, nationally recognized for exceptional care, innovative research and advanced medical education.
We realize this vision by:
- Offering the most comprehensive care across ages, communities and specialties
- Investing in innovative research, including emerging treatments, tools and technologies
- Advancing education and training to shape the next generation of clinical leaders
- Advocating for the health and well-being of children and families
Values
- We place children and families at the center of all we do
- We deliver exceptional care, every day and in every way
- We collaborate with colleagues, partners and communities to amplify our impact
- We set the standards of pediatric healthcare today, and innovate for the future
- We are accountable for making the highest quality care accessible and affordable
See all 124+ OPT Chemistry Professor Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Chemistry Professor
Target STEM-designated programs first
Chemistry departments at research universities are almost always STEM-designated, which means your OPT can extend to 24 months beyond the initial 12. Prioritize institutions with active PhD programs and funded research labs when applying.
Align your degree field with the posted role
Your OPT authorization must match your degree field. A chemistry faculty role supporting a biochemistry degree is defensible, but a stretch to materials science may not be. Confirm the department's focus matches your transcript before applying.
Apply to postdoc pipelines alongside faculty openings
Most Chemistry Professor hires come through postdoctoral positions first. Postdocs at research universities qualify for OPT and create a natural pathway to a full faculty appointment, giving you time to build your publication record on valid status.
Document the degree requirement explicitly
Your DSO needs evidence that the role requires a degree in your specific field. Save the job posting, obtain a letter from the hiring department confirming the educational requirement, and keep both with your OPT records in case of an RFE.
Start your OPT application at least 90 days before your program end date
USCIS allows you to apply up to 90 days before graduation. Faculty hiring cycles are long, so having your EAD in hand before you defend your dissertation keeps you competitive and prevents gaps between graduation and your start date.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship during the offer stage
Universities that hire international faculty regularly are familiar with H-1B visa petitions. Raise the question professionally after receiving an offer, not during early interviews. Research-intensive institutions with international faculty on staff are your strongest prospects for long-term sponsorship.
Chemistry Professor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Chemistry Professor position qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. Chemistry is a STEM-designated field under the DHS STEM list, and faculty roles at accredited universities typically satisfy the employer-student relationship requirements for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and the position must directly relate to your degree field. Confirm your school's CIP code qualifies before submitting the extension application.
Can I work as a Chemistry Professor at a community college on OPT?
Yes. Community colleges are accredited educational institutions, and full-time or part-time teaching roles there can qualify for OPT as long as the position requires a degree in your field. The STEM OPT extension applies equally at two-year institutions, provided the employer is E-Verify enrolled. Adjunct or part-time roles may complicate the employer verification requirement, so confirm full enrollment status with HR.
Where can I find Chemistry Professor jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the recommended platform for F-1 OPT students searching for faculty and research positions. University career portals list openings directly, and many research institutions actively recruit international candidates. When browsing on Migrate Mate, filter for academic and research roles in chemistry or physical sciences to surface positions most likely to support OPT and eventual H-1B sponsorship.
Does conducting independent research count as valid OPT employment for a Chemistry Professor?
Only if it is structured as employment with a qualifying organization. Self-directed research without an institutional affiliation does not satisfy OPT work authorization requirements. A postdoctoral appointment, research scientist role, or faculty position at a university with a formal employment agreement and E-Verify enrollment does qualify. Unpaid volunteer research does not count toward your OPT employment requirement.
What happens to my OPT if my faculty appointment is delayed after I graduate?
You have a 60-day grace period after your OPT end date if you are between jobs, but OPT itself must begin within 60 days of your program end date. If a faculty start date is pushed past your authorized period, you may fall out of status. Discuss timeline risks with your DSO early and consider whether a visiting researcher or postdoc bridge appointment can keep you in continuous valid employment status.