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.
Find OPT Chemistry Professor JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 134+ Chemistry Professor jobs










See all 134+ Chemistry Professor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Chemistry Professor roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
Overview:
Element has an opportunity for a Chemistry Technician for testing, sample preparation and delivery/collection of samples and preparation of test reports.
SALARY: $45,000 - $75,000/yr DOE
Responsibilities:
- Determination of chemical and physical properties of metallic and non-metallic materials
- Familiarity/Operation of instruments such as ICP/OES, Leco, pH, XRF, MFR, FTIR, DSC, TGA, TMA, DMA, GC/MS, hardness meters, analytical balances, etc.
- Prepare the reagents, standard solution and ensure standardization of the solution used in the laboratory.
- Handling and storage all chemicals as per the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
- Responsible for conducting, developing, witnessing, and executing tests and experiments using both established methods and newly developed / novel techniques with minimal to no supervision. Some tests can be done at our laboratory or on-site at the customer’s location.
- General maintenance, cleaning and checking of instruments.
- Manage verification and calibration of instruments.
- Responsible for adhering to safety procedures and appropriate regulatory and company standards.
- Interaction with clients during witnessed testing.
- Prepare written quotations, proposals, schedule tests, analyze test results, prepare reports, and submit invoices for approval with limited supervision and oversight.
- Ensuring compliance to all Element quality standards as well as ISO 17025 requirements.
SKILLS / QUALIFICATIONS:
- Associates degree or higher in Chemistry or equivalent, and/or at least 2 years’ experience in a similar role.
- Ability to work in teams under pressure and flexible to work different working overtime hours, if required or necessary.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills along with strong interpersonal skills and listening ability to communicate effectively with peers, superiors, customers and vendors.
- Basic math skills.
- Knowledge and experience of safe operation of testing equipment and operating in an independent / chemistry / consultant laboratory.
- Frequency of required physical force: Occasional - Moderate.
- Work is primarily performed indoors but may require occasional work outdoors when at customer sites.
COMPANY OVERVIEW:
Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to ‘Make tomorrow safer than today’.
When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.
While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.
Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT:
At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming “the world’s most trusted testing partner”.
All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.
See all 134+ OPT Chemistry Professor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Chemistry Professor Jobs.
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.