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 JobsPOSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER
To investigate how chronic metabolic stress drives mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic reprogramming in adipocytes.
A postdoctoral training position is available in the laboratory of Philipp Scherer, Ph.D. in the Touchstone Diabetes Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The successful candidate will investigate how chronic metabolic stress drives mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic reprogramming in adipocytes. Several exciting projects are available that combine mechanistic studies of adipocyte biology with state-of-the-art genetic, molecular, metabolic, and imaging approaches to define how mitochondrial adaptations contribute to adipose tissue dysfunction and systemic metabolic disease.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must hold a recent Ph.D. and/or M.D. degree. Experience in Physiology or Immunology with a proven track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Interested individuals should send a CV, statement of interests, and a list of three references to:
Faculty name, degree(s) held or contact person: Philipp Scherer, Ph.D.
Faculty or contact person email: Karen.kazandjian@utsouthwestern.edu
Faculty lab website: Scherer Lab | Touchstone Diabetes Center.org (touchstonelabs.org)
Faculty profile link: Philipp Scherer, Ph.D. – Faculty Profile – UT Southwestern
Information on our postdoctoral training program, benefits, and a virtual tour can be found at http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/postdocs.
EEO STATEMENT
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER
To investigate how chronic metabolic stress drives mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic reprogramming in adipocytes.
A postdoctoral training position is available in the laboratory of Philipp Scherer, Ph.D. in the Touchstone Diabetes Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The successful candidate will investigate how chronic metabolic stress drives mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic reprogramming in adipocytes. Several exciting projects are available that combine mechanistic studies of adipocyte biology with state-of-the-art genetic, molecular, metabolic, and imaging approaches to define how mitochondrial adaptations contribute to adipose tissue dysfunction and systemic metabolic disease.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must hold a recent Ph.D. and/or M.D. degree. Experience in Physiology or Immunology with a proven track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Interested individuals should send a CV, statement of interests, and a list of three references to:
Faculty name, degree(s) held or contact person: Philipp Scherer, Ph.D.
Faculty or contact person email: Karen.kazandjian@utsouthwestern.edu
Faculty lab website: Scherer Lab | Touchstone Diabetes Center.org (touchstonelabs.org)
Faculty profile link: Philipp Scherer, Ph.D. – Faculty Profile – UT Southwestern
Information on our postdoctoral training program, benefits, and a virtual tour can be found at http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/postdocs.
EEO STATEMENT
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
See all 571+ 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.