OPT Clinical Research Director Jobs
Clinical Research Director roles are available to F-1 OPT students with advanced degrees in clinical research, life sciences, or public health. Most positions require STEM OPT eligibility, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in this field, including pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and academic medical centers, regularly sponsor H-1B visas for qualified directors.
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Get Access To All JobsAPPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
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CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The Department of Mechanical Engineering has positions available for undergraduate research assistants on an interdisciplinary team of engineers working to decarbonize district heat and power systems through renewable fuels and energy efficiency improvements.
Job Duties:
- Student responsibilities will include laboratory research, presentation at meetings with individual research groups, presentation at meetings with the project group, and attendance at seminars, tours, and activities that align with the program’s research.
- Students will also take part in a longitudinal study of how research experiences impact student energy literacy and domain-specific engineering identity.
- As part of this study, students will be expected to take surveys and speak with program assessors to discuss their research experiences.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Preference given to third year undergraduate students having taken ME300
Interested applicants should include their resume/CV and cover letter to be considered.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
-
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The Department of Mechanical Engineering has positions available for undergraduate research assistants on an interdisciplinary team of engineers working to decarbonize district heat and power systems through renewable fuels and energy efficiency improvements.
Job Duties:
- Student responsibilities will include laboratory research, presentation at meetings with individual research groups, presentation at meetings with the project group, and attendance at seminars, tours, and activities that align with the program’s research.
- Students will also take part in a longitudinal study of how research experiences impact student energy literacy and domain-specific engineering identity.
- As part of this study, students will be expected to take surveys and speak with program assessors to discuss their research experiences.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Preference given to third year undergraduate students having taken ME300
Interested applicants should include their resume/CV and cover letter to be considered.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
See all 687+ OPT Clinical Research Director Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Clinical Research Director Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Clinical Research Director
Target STEM-designated degree holders
If your degree is in a STEM field such as biomedical sciences, public health, or bioinformatics, confirm your STEM OPT extension eligibility before applying. This gives you 36 months total, making you far more attractive to employers evaluating H-1B sponsorship timelines.
Focus on CROs and large pharma sponsors
Contract research organizations like ICON, PAREXEL, and Syneos Health, along with major pharmaceutical companies, have established immigration programs and regularly sponsor H-1B visas. These employers are more likely to absorb the cost and process complexity of sponsoring a Clinical Research Director.
Lead with regulatory and protocol experience
Clinical Research Directors are evaluated heavily on FDA regulatory knowledge, protocol development, and Phase II through IV trial oversight. Quantify your experience with the number of trials managed, therapeutic areas covered, and regulatory submissions contributed to in your application materials.
Apply before your OPT expires, not after
H-1B cap-subject petitions are filed in April for an October 1 start. Map your OPT expiration date against this calendar now. If your OPT ends before October, ask employers about cap-exempt institutions or whether they can bridge the gap with a timely filed petition.
Highlight cross-functional leadership directly
Director-level roles require demonstrated experience managing clinical operations teams, vendor relationships, and multi-site coordination. Employers sponsoring at this level expect evidence of leadership, not just technical skill. Frame your resume around scope of responsibility, not just task completion.
Discuss sponsorship early in the interview process
Do not wait until an offer to raise your visa status. Bring it up after the first substantive interview, framed around your timeline. Employers who cannot sponsor will tell you, saving weeks of time you cannot afford to waste while on OPT.
Clinical Research Director OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as a Clinical Research Director?
Yes. F-1 students authorized for OPT can work as a Clinical Research Director as long as the role directly relates to their field of study. Most directors hold degrees in clinical research, life sciences, public health, or a related STEM field, and those degrees typically qualify for STEM OPT extension, giving up to 36 months of total work authorization.
Do Clinical Research Director roles qualify for STEM OPT extension?
In most cases, yes. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as biomedical sciences, bioinformatics, epidemiology, or clinical research management, and the director role is directly related to that field of study, you are likely eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's STEM designation with your DSO before applying.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas for Clinical Research Directors?
Large pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and academic medical centers with active clinical programs are the most consistent H-1B sponsors at the director level. These organizations have legal infrastructure and budget to support sponsorship. Browse Clinical Research Director roles with visa sponsorship on Migrate Mate to identify employers actively hiring international candidates.
What documents do I need to work as a Clinical Research Director on OPT?
You need a valid EAD card reflecting your authorized OPT period, a valid F-1 visa stamp for international travel, your most recent I-20 with OPT authorization noted by your DSO, and a valid passport. Your employer will also need to verify your work authorization through Form I-9 on or before your first day of employment.
What happens to my OPT status if I am terminated from a Clinical Research Director role?
F-1 OPT students have a 60-day unemployment buffer. If your Clinical Research Director position ends involuntarily, you have 60 days to secure new employment in a related field before your status is at risk. You cannot accumulate more than 90 days of total unemployment across your full OPT period, including the STEM extension if applicable.