OPT Clinical Research Nurse Jobs
Clinical Research Nurse jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with nursing or clinical science degrees. Most roles qualify under STEM OPT extension eligibility when tied to clinical research science. Employers in academic medical centers, pharma, and CROs regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this specialty.
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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 721+ OPT Clinical Research Nurse Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Clinical Research Nurse Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Clinical Research Nurse
Target academic medical centers and CROs first
Academic hospitals and contract research organizations hire clinical research nurses regularly and have established visa sponsorship pipelines. These employers are far more likely to have immigration counsel on retainer and experience processing H-1B petitions for nursing roles.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Clinical Research Nurse roles may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in nursing science, biological sciences, or a related STEM field. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before applying to roles that list STEM OPT as preferred.
Obtain your RN license before your OPT start date
Most clinical research nurse positions require an active RN license as a baseline requirement. NCLEX timelines can run four to eight weeks, so schedule the exam early enough that your license is active when OPT begins.
Highlight clinical trial protocol experience explicitly
Employers sponsoring visas for this role need to justify specialty occupation status. Emphasize experience with ICH-GCP guidelines, protocol adherence, adverse event reporting, and IRB documentation to strengthen both your application and any future H-1B petition.
Ask about sponsorship policy before the final interview round
Raise visa sponsorship early in the process, ideally after a recruiter screening call. Framing it as a logistics question rather than a negotiation point avoids surprises late in hiring and filters out employers without sponsorship capacity.
Get GCP certification to strengthen your candidacy
A current Good Clinical Practice certification signals readiness to work on regulated trials immediately. It takes one to two days to complete, costs little, and gives sponsoring employers one less reason to hesitate on an OPT hire over a domestic candidate.
Clinical Research Nurse OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as clinical research nurses in the United States?
Yes, as long as your OPT is authorized in a field related to your degree. Clinical research nursing typically aligns with nursing science, biological sciences, or public health programs. You must also hold an active RN license in the state where you work. Your employer does not need to file any immigration petition during standard OPT, but you must track your authorized employment period carefully.
Do clinical research nurse roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
They can, but it depends on your degree's CIP code rather than the job title itself. If your degree is in nursing science, clinical laboratory science, or another STEM-designated field, you may be eligible for the 24-month extension. Confirm your CIP code with your designated school official before assuming eligibility. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify to participate in the STEM OPT extension program.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas for clinical research nurses?
Academic medical centers, large pharmaceutical companies, and established contract research organizations are the most consistent sponsors for this role. These organizations run ongoing clinical trials, have legal infrastructure for immigration petitions, and understand the specialty occupation argument for research nursing. Smaller clinical sites and community hospitals sponsor far less frequently. Browse verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate to identify which organizations are actively hiring OPT workers in this field.
Does a clinical research nurse role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can, but the classification is not automatic. USCIS evaluates whether the specific position normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty. A clinical research nurse role tied to protocol management, regulatory compliance, and data integrity in a formal research setting has a stronger specialty occupation argument than a general staff nursing role. Detailed job descriptions emphasizing research responsibilities, GCP requirements, and scientific judgment substantially support the petition.
How much time do I have on OPT to find a clinical research nurse job?
Standard post-completion OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization, with a 60-day grace period after your program ends to find employment before OPT begins. If you are unemployed for more than 90 cumulative days during OPT, you fall out of status. Given hiring timelines for clinical research roles, including credentialing and onboarding, beginning your search well before graduation is strongly advisable. Migrate Mate lists OPT-friendly clinical research nurse openings to help you move quickly.