Clinical Microbiologist Jobs for OPT Students
Clinical Microbiologist jobs on OPT require STEM-designated programs, which qualify you for the standard 12-month OPT period plus a 24-month STEM extension, giving you up to three years of authorized work. Most employers in hospital systems, public health labs, and biotech firms are familiar with sponsoring STEM OPT workers through the E-Verify requirement.
See All Clinical Microbiologist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 7+ Clinical Microbiologist jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 7+ Clinical Microbiologist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Clinical Microbiologist roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Department of Pathology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is seeking a clinical microbiologist at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Member level. The position is on the "Clinical" track, with 75% effort devoted to clinical service. The Clinical Microbiology Laboratories at St. Jude consist of a well-established, full-service group of laboratories, providing state-of-the-art care to our immunocompromised pediatric population. The clinical laboratories will move into new and expanded laboratory spaces in January 2027. St. Jude provides a rich, academic and collaborative environment, with a unique set of diagnostic challenges and a mission to develop new ways to cure pediatric patients with catastrophic disease. The Microbiology section has a long history of innovative work in developing new diagnostic methods, working with advanced techniques across bacteriology, mycology and virology, bringing advanced technologies to bear on the diagnosis and characterization of infectious pathogens. The successful candidate will have the appropriate training and certification or eligibility with the American Board of Pathology or American Board of Medical Microbiology to contribute to the clinical service and have a record of scholarly achievements. St. Jude Pathology is a leader in innovative diagnostic techniques and high-quality laboratory medicine. The department achieved ISO15189 accreditation in 2016, the first children’s hospital in North America to gain this status. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, is one of the world's premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Children from all 50 states and from around the world have come through the doors of St. Jude for treatment, and thousands more around the world have benefited from the research conducted at St. Jude - research that is shared freely with the global medical community. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance. No child is denied treatment because of a family's inability to pay. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is one of the premier pediatric cancer hospitals in the USA and has a large faculty of clinical and basic investigators organized into traditional academic departments. Strong interdepartmental programs are present in Infectious Diseases, Bone Marrow Transplant, Hematologic Malignancies, Solid Tumor Biology, Neuro-oncology, and Molecular Oncogenesis. Clinical and basic research activities are carried out in adjoining state-of-the-art buildings that provide an environment that fosters close collaboration between clinical and basic investigators. St. Jude provides an unparalleled working environment and was just named #2 on the Forbes’ “America’s Dream Employers” list.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
MD, DO, or PhD in Clinical Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Pathology, Infectious Diseases, or a closely related biomedical discipline from an accredited institution.
For MD/DO candidates:
+ Board certification or board eligibility in Clinical Pathology, Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, or Infectious Diseases.
+ Eligible for medical licensure in the State of Tennessee.
For PhD candidates:
+ Completion of a CPEP-accredited postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Microbiology or equivalent structured clinical training program.
+ Board certified or board eligible by the American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM).
Demonstrated expertise in the clinical practice of microbiology, including:
+ Bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, virology, and parasitology
+ Molecular diagnostics and syndromic panel testing
+ Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and interpretation
+ Diagnostic stewardship and test utilization management
Experience providing clinical consultation to physicians and healthcare teams regarding:
+ Interpretation of microbiology results
+ Complex infectious disease diagnostics
+ Antimicrobial resistance patterns and therapeutic implications
Working knowledge of regulatory, accreditation, and quality systems, including:
+ CLIA, CAP, Joint Commission or DNV, and state regulatory requirements
+ Laboratory quality management systems, validation/verification, proficiency testing, and inspection readiness
To apply: Applicants should submit a letter of application, research statement, curriculum vitae and the names of three referees directly online: For more information:
Randall Hayden, MD,
Division Chief Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology
Director, Clinical and Molecular Microbiology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, MS #250 262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105
Email: Randall.Hayden@StJude.org
St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer
No Search Firms
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Pathology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is seeking a clinical microbiologist at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Member level. The position is on the "Clinical" track, with 75% effort devoted to clinical service. The Clinical Microbiology Laboratories at St. Jude consist of a well-established, full-service group of laboratories, providing state-of-the-art care to our immunocompromised pediatric population. The clinical laboratories will move into new and expanded laboratory spaces in January 2027. St. Jude provides a rich, academic and collaborative environment, with a unique set of diagnostic challenges and a mission to develop new ways to cure pediatric patients with catastrophic disease. The Microbiology section has a long history of innovative work in developing new diagnostic methods, working with advanced techniques across bacteriology, mycology and virology, bringing advanced technologies to bear on the diagnosis and characterization of infectious pathogens. The successful candidate will have the appropriate training and certification or eligibility with the American Board of Pathology or American Board of Medical Microbiology to contribute to the clinical service and have a record of scholarly achievements. St. Jude Pathology is a leader in innovative diagnostic techniques and high-quality laboratory medicine. The department achieved ISO15189 accreditation in 2016, the first children’s hospital in North America to gain this status. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, is one of the world's premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Children from all 50 states and from around the world have come through the doors of St. Jude for treatment, and thousands more around the world have benefited from the research conducted at St. Jude - research that is shared freely with the global medical community. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance. No child is denied treatment because of a family's inability to pay. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is one of the premier pediatric cancer hospitals in the USA and has a large faculty of clinical and basic investigators organized into traditional academic departments. Strong interdepartmental programs are present in Infectious Diseases, Bone Marrow Transplant, Hematologic Malignancies, Solid Tumor Biology, Neuro-oncology, and Molecular Oncogenesis. Clinical and basic research activities are carried out in adjoining state-of-the-art buildings that provide an environment that fosters close collaboration between clinical and basic investigators. St. Jude provides an unparalleled working environment and was just named #2 on the Forbes’ “America’s Dream Employers” list.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
MD, DO, or PhD in Clinical Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Pathology, Infectious Diseases, or a closely related biomedical discipline from an accredited institution.
For MD/DO candidates:
+ Board certification or board eligibility in Clinical Pathology, Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, or Infectious Diseases.
+ Eligible for medical licensure in the State of Tennessee.
For PhD candidates:
+ Completion of a CPEP-accredited postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Microbiology or equivalent structured clinical training program.
+ Board certified or board eligible by the American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM).
Demonstrated expertise in the clinical practice of microbiology, including:
+ Bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, virology, and parasitology
+ Molecular diagnostics and syndromic panel testing
+ Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and interpretation
+ Diagnostic stewardship and test utilization management
Experience providing clinical consultation to physicians and healthcare teams regarding:
+ Interpretation of microbiology results
+ Complex infectious disease diagnostics
+ Antimicrobial resistance patterns and therapeutic implications
Working knowledge of regulatory, accreditation, and quality systems, including:
+ CLIA, CAP, Joint Commission or DNV, and state regulatory requirements
+ Laboratory quality management systems, validation/verification, proficiency testing, and inspection readiness
To apply: Applicants should submit a letter of application, research statement, curriculum vitae and the names of three referees directly online: For more information:
Randall Hayden, MD,
Division Chief Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology
Director, Clinical and Molecular Microbiology St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, MS #250 262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105
Email: Randall.Hayden@StJude.org
St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer
No Search Firms
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Clinical Microbiologist
Target STEM OPT-friendly employers early
Hospital networks, public health labs, and biotech companies are the most active sponsors for Clinical Microbiologist roles. Focus your search on employers with established STEM OPT reporting processes, since they understand the 24-month extension and E-Verify requirements already.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Clinical Microbiology roles are typically sponsored under Microbiology, Biomedical Science, or Medical Laboratory Science CIP codes. Verify with your DSO that your program's CIP code appears on the STEM OPT designated degree program list before applying.
Apply at least 90 days before OPT expiry
STEM OPT extension applications must be filed before your current OPT expires. Submit your I-765 extension at least 90 days out, since processing can run four to five months without premium processing available for this category.
Address ASCP or AMT certification proactively
Many clinical microbiology positions require ASCP Board of Certification or AMT credentials. Completing certification during OPT strengthens your H-1B sponsorship case later, since certified specialists are more straightforwardly classified as specialty occupation workers.
Understand the E-Verify reporting obligation
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to hire you on STEM OPT extension. Confirm this before accepting an offer. If they aren't enrolled, sponsorship falls through at a critical moment, and switching employers resets your reporting timeline.
Frame visa sponsorship around specialty occupation early
Clinical Microbiologist roles requiring a degree in microbiology, clinical laboratory science, or a related field fit cleanly within H-1B specialty occupation criteria. Communicate this to hiring managers upfront so the sponsorship conversation doesn't stall due to unfamiliarity with the pathway.
Clinical Microbiologist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Clinical Microbiologist JobsSee all 7+ Clinical Microbiologist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Clinical Microbiologist roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Clinical Microbiologist on OPT?
Yes. Clinical Microbiology falls under STEM-designated degree programs, so you qualify for both the standard 12-month OPT authorization and a 24-month STEM extension if your degree's CIP code appears on the official STEM list. Your job must be directly related to your major field of study, which is straightforward for most microbiology or biomedical science graduates entering this role.
Do Clinical Microbiologist employers commonly sponsor OPT workers?
Hospital systems, public health laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies regularly hire STEM OPT workers for clinical microbiology roles and sponsor H-1B petitions afterward. Employers in regulated clinical settings tend to have HR infrastructure already familiar with E-Verify enrollment and OPT reporting requirements. You can browse employers actively hiring on Migrate Mate to identify which organizations have consistent sponsorship track records.
Does ASCP certification affect my OPT or visa sponsorship eligibility?
ASCP certification doesn't affect your OPT authorization directly, but it significantly strengthens your H-1B case when your employer files after OPT. Board certification demonstrates that the role requires specialized knowledge tied to a specific field of study, which supports the specialty occupation classification USCIS requires. Many hospital employers also require ASCP certification before making a full-time offer, so pursuing it during OPT removes a barrier to sponsorship.
What happens to my OPT if I switch employers in a clinical microbiology role?
You can change employers on OPT, but you must report the change to your DSO within 10 days and update your SEVIS record. On STEM OPT extension, your new employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and you must submit a new Form I-983 training plan. There's no waiting period, but working for a non-E-Verify employer on STEM OPT extension would violate your authorization.
Is a Clinical Microbiologist role considered a specialty occupation for H-1B?
Clinical Microbiologist positions that require a bachelor's degree or higher in microbiology, clinical laboratory science, or a directly related field generally satisfy H-1B specialty occupation criteria. Roles requiring ASCP board certification reinforce this classification. Job descriptions specifying generic degree requirements regardless of field create more scrutiny, so targeting employers whose postings require a specific scientific discipline strengthens the petition.
See which Clinical Microbiologist employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Clinical Microbiologist Jobs