OPT Contract Jobs
Contract roles can be a practical option during the standard 12-month OPT period for gaining experience and building professional connections in your field, particularly in IT, consulting, and project-based industries. The rules are significantly stricter during the STEM OPT extension, where direct employer supervision is required, so understanding the distinction between standard OPT and STEM OPT contract rules before accepting any contract arrangement is important.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Net2Source Inc. is an award-winning total workforce solutions company recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts for our accelerated growth of 300% in the last 3 years with over 5500+ employees globally, with over 30+ locations in the US and global operations in 32 countries. We believe in providing staffing solutions to address the current talent gap – Right Talent – Right Time – Right Place – Right Price and acting as a Career Coach to our consultants.
ABOUT THE JOB
Title: Research Associate II - Protein Purification
Duration: 12 months contract
Location: Oceanside, CA 92056
Pay Rate: $35.00-39.56/hr. on W2 without benefits.
Position Summary
- Support Process Development activities and project goals through execution of protein purification process development and process characterization experiments
- Plan and execute assigned experiments on-site using appropriate methods and techniques
- Support process definition, optimization, characterization, and technology transfer activities with increasing independence
- Work in a collaborative, cross-functional environment supporting biologics purification and downstream process development
Responsibilities
- Plan and execute assigned experiments on-site that support Process Development activities and project goals
- Select appropriate methods and techniques for performing experiments
- Develop skills in data analysis and interpreting experiment outcomes including evaluating data quality and recognizing anomalous results
- Recommend alternatives, research new methods and techniques and proactively seek senior personnel to discuss solutions
- Participate in group meetings and present results, data interpretation and conclusions
- Demonstrate strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills including explaining processes used to achieve results
- Work with team oriented, collaborative and problem-solving mindset
- Always work with safety in mind and work with highly potent compounds upon training
- Design and execute experiments supporting process definition, optimization, and characterization
- Collaborate with Technical Operations during technology transfer from process development to GMP manufacturing
- Serve as process development representative during purification operations
- Provide technical troubleshooting and identify opportunities for process and equipment improvements
- Contribute to preparation of regulatory filings and process validation and characterization reports
- Monitor and contribute to external literature and scientific conferences
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- BS degree in a relevant scientific discipline and 2+ years of relevant experience; OR
- MS degree in a relevant scientific discipline and 0+ years of relevant experience
- Preferred degree in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry or related scientific discipline
Experience:
- Prior experience in biologics purification with emphasis on conjugation, tangential flow filtration (UF/DF), and filtration
- Working understanding of downstream process development including centrifugation, normal and tangential flow filtration, chromatography operations, and virus clearance
- Experience with multiple modalities (mAbs, bispecifics, fusion and antibody drug conjugates, virus particles) produced in microbial and mammalian expression systems is a plus
- Knowledge of cGMPs, technology transfer, and scaling up bioprocesses
Skills:
- Analytical operations experience including SEC/HPLC, CE (R/NR), HCP testing is beneficial
- Excellent technical writing skills
- Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams
- Ability to communicate ideas, project goals and results effectively
- Ability to proactively identify issues and suggest solutions
- Self-motivated, organized, and scientific mindset
Ishendra Singh (Ishaan)
Pharma Recruiter
Net2Source Inc.
270 Davidson Ave, Suite 704, Somerset, NJ 08873, USA
Direct: +1 (551)-325-3316
Fax: (201) 221 8131
Email: singh.ishendra@net2source.com
INTRODUCTION
Net2Source Inc. is an award-winning total workforce solutions company recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts for our accelerated growth of 300% in the last 3 years with over 5500+ employees globally, with over 30+ locations in the US and global operations in 32 countries. We believe in providing staffing solutions to address the current talent gap – Right Talent – Right Time – Right Place – Right Price and acting as a Career Coach to our consultants.
ABOUT THE JOB
Title: Research Associate II - Protein Purification
Duration: 12 months contract
Location: Oceanside, CA 92056
Pay Rate: $35.00-39.56/hr. on W2 without benefits.
Position Summary
- Support Process Development activities and project goals through execution of protein purification process development and process characterization experiments
- Plan and execute assigned experiments on-site using appropriate methods and techniques
- Support process definition, optimization, characterization, and technology transfer activities with increasing independence
- Work in a collaborative, cross-functional environment supporting biologics purification and downstream process development
Responsibilities
- Plan and execute assigned experiments on-site that support Process Development activities and project goals
- Select appropriate methods and techniques for performing experiments
- Develop skills in data analysis and interpreting experiment outcomes including evaluating data quality and recognizing anomalous results
- Recommend alternatives, research new methods and techniques and proactively seek senior personnel to discuss solutions
- Participate in group meetings and present results, data interpretation and conclusions
- Demonstrate strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills including explaining processes used to achieve results
- Work with team oriented, collaborative and problem-solving mindset
- Always work with safety in mind and work with highly potent compounds upon training
- Design and execute experiments supporting process definition, optimization, and characterization
- Collaborate with Technical Operations during technology transfer from process development to GMP manufacturing
- Serve as process development representative during purification operations
- Provide technical troubleshooting and identify opportunities for process and equipment improvements
- Contribute to preparation of regulatory filings and process validation and characterization reports
- Monitor and contribute to external literature and scientific conferences
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- BS degree in a relevant scientific discipline and 2+ years of relevant experience; OR
- MS degree in a relevant scientific discipline and 0+ years of relevant experience
- Preferred degree in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry or related scientific discipline
Experience:
- Prior experience in biologics purification with emphasis on conjugation, tangential flow filtration (UF/DF), and filtration
- Working understanding of downstream process development including centrifugation, normal and tangential flow filtration, chromatography operations, and virus clearance
- Experience with multiple modalities (mAbs, bispecifics, fusion and antibody drug conjugates, virus particles) produced in microbial and mammalian expression systems is a plus
- Knowledge of cGMPs, technology transfer, and scaling up bioprocesses
Skills:
- Analytical operations experience including SEC/HPLC, CE (R/NR), HCP testing is beneficial
- Excellent technical writing skills
- Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams
- Ability to communicate ideas, project goals and results effectively
- Ability to proactively identify issues and suggest solutions
- Self-motivated, organized, and scientific mindset
Ishendra Singh (Ishaan)
Pharma Recruiter
Net2Source Inc.
270 Davidson Ave, Suite 704, Somerset, NJ 08873, USA
Direct: +1 (551)-325-3316
Fax: (201) 221 8131
Email: singh.ishendra@net2source.com
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Get Access To All JobsContract OPT Job Search Tips
Contract roles count toward your OPT as long as the work is related to your degree
You don’t need a full time permanent position to satisfy your OPT requirements. Contract, project-based, and temporary roles all qualify, provided the work is directly related to your field of study and you’re working at least 20 hours per week.
The employer of record must be E-Verify enrolled for STEM OPT
In contract arrangements, the employer of record, the company actually employing you rather than the client, must be E-Verify enrolled for STEM OPT extension eligibility. Confirm this before signing any contract, as the client company’s enrollment status doesn’t count.
Contract roles are a real path to permanent offers
Many OPT students use contract positions as a foot in the door with employers who are cautious about committing to sponsorship upfront. Demonstrating your value on a contract basis often leads to permanent offers and sponsorship conversations.
Keep detailed records of your contract employment for your DSO
Contract employment can be more complex to document than permanent roles. Keep copies of your contracts, pay stubs, and start and end dates, and report changes to your DSO promptly to keep your SEVIS record accurate.
Ask whether the contracting firm or the client would sponsor your H-1B
In staffing arrangements, H-1B visa sponsorship can come from either the staffing firm or the end client. Understanding which entity would sponsor, and whether they’ve done it before, is an important question to ask before committing to a contract role.
Be cautious about 1099 arrangements during your OPT
Self-employment and independent contractor arrangements on a 1099 basis are generally not permitted during standard OPT. If a company offers you contract work structured as self-employment rather than W-2 employment, consult your DSO before accepting.
Contract OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a contractor on OPT?
During the standard 12-month post-completion OPT, contract work is generally permitted as long as the role is directly related to your field of study. On the STEM OPT extension, you must have a direct employer-employee relationship where your employer, not a third-party client, supervises your work. Independent contracting where you are self-employed and setting your own schedule is also allowed on standard OPT but not on STEM OPT.
What is the difference between contract employment and being a contractor on OPT?
Contract employment means you are a W-2 employee of a staffing or consulting firm that places you on projects at client sites, and your employer still supervises your work. Independent contracting means you work as a 1099 self-employed professional managing your own clients and schedule. The first option is compatible with STEM OPT under the right structure; the second is not. Understanding which arrangement an employer is offering before you accept protects your visa status.
Do contract jobs count toward the OPT unemployment limit?
Yes, as long as the contract work is related to your field of study, it counts as qualifying employment and the time working does not count toward your unemployment day limit. Gaps between contracts do count as unemployment days, so managing your calendar to minimize gaps is important during the standard 12-month OPT period. On STEM OPT, paid employment is required, so unpaid or volunteer work does not meet the minimum requirement.
Can contract roles lead to full-time employment and H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, many professionals start in contract or temporary roles and transition to full-time employment with the same company or with a client organization they worked with during the contract. Some companies use contract arrangements as an extended evaluation period before offering full-time roles. Being clear about your goal of transitioning to a full-time sponsored position from the start helps hiring managers and recruiters match you to opportunities with that potential.
What should I watch out for when considering a contract OPT role?
The most important things to verify are that the role is clearly related to your field of study, your employment is structured as W-2 rather than 1099 if you are on STEM OPT, and the employer or staffing firm is transparent about the client supervision arrangement. Contracts that pay cash, lack written agreements, or involve supervision by a client rather than your direct employer are red flags that could put your immigration status at risk. Consulting your DSO before accepting an unusual contract arrangement is always a good step.
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