OPT Epidemiologist Jobs
Epidemiologist jobs on OPT require employers to support your work authorization, whether you're on standard 12-month OPT or STEM OPT extension. Most roles are in public health agencies, research institutions, and healthcare systems, where H-1B visa sponsorship pathways are more established than in the private sector.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community.
DESCRIPTION
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supports Emerging Infections Program (EIP) surveillance program and special studies in Emory University's School of Medicine through data collection, entry, and management.
- Manages one or more specific EIP program areas but will also provide general EIP support.
- Ensures high-quality surveillance following EIP best practices in data acquisition and quality procedures.
- Collects, enters, and manages surveillance data in databases such as REDCap, SendSS, etc.
- Retrieves, transports, and sends packaged laboratory specimens to EIP, federal and state laboratories.
- Communicates with healthcare facilities to collect and verify epidemiologic information and specimens.
- Assists in data edits and case report form validation.
- Performs general office duties such as filing, faxing, and scanning documents.
- Conducts telephone interviews and supports special studies.
- Complies with all ethical guidelines for scientific and human subjects' research.
- Completes basic SE job duties in their project areas or others.
- Performs related program area responsibilities as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in Public Health or related scientific field from an accredited school and 2+ years of public health experience required, or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Strong verbal communication skills.
- Medical record experience preferred.
- Database management experience preferred.
- SAS and/or R experience preferred.
- Power BI experience desirable.
- EIP or health department experience desirable.
NOTE: This role will be granted the opportunity to work from home regularly but must be able to commute to Emory University on a flexible weekly schedule based upon business needs. Schedule is based on agreed upon guidelines of department. This role requires residency in the state of GA. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.
Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).
Emory University is committed to ensuring equal access and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to seek a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at accessibility@emory.edu or call 404-727-9877 (Voice) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). We kindly ask that requests be made at least seven business days in advance to allow adequate time for coordination.
INTRODUCTION
Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community.
DESCRIPTION
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supports Emerging Infections Program (EIP) surveillance program and special studies in Emory University's School of Medicine through data collection, entry, and management.
- Manages one or more specific EIP program areas but will also provide general EIP support.
- Ensures high-quality surveillance following EIP best practices in data acquisition and quality procedures.
- Collects, enters, and manages surveillance data in databases such as REDCap, SendSS, etc.
- Retrieves, transports, and sends packaged laboratory specimens to EIP, federal and state laboratories.
- Communicates with healthcare facilities to collect and verify epidemiologic information and specimens.
- Assists in data edits and case report form validation.
- Performs general office duties such as filing, faxing, and scanning documents.
- Conducts telephone interviews and supports special studies.
- Complies with all ethical guidelines for scientific and human subjects' research.
- Completes basic SE job duties in their project areas or others.
- Performs related program area responsibilities as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in Public Health or related scientific field from an accredited school and 2+ years of public health experience required, or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Strong verbal communication skills.
- Medical record experience preferred.
- Database management experience preferred.
- SAS and/or R experience preferred.
- Power BI experience desirable.
- EIP or health department experience desirable.
NOTE: This role will be granted the opportunity to work from home regularly but must be able to commute to Emory University on a flexible weekly schedule based upon business needs. Schedule is based on agreed upon guidelines of department. This role requires residency in the state of GA. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.
Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).
Emory University is committed to ensuring equal access and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to seek a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at accessibility@emory.edu or call 404-727-9877 (Voice) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). We kindly ask that requests be made at least seven business days in advance to allow adequate time for coordination.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Epidemiologist
Target public health agencies and government contractors
Federal agencies like the CDC, NIH, and state health departments regularly hire epidemiologists and have established OPT and H-1B visa sponsorship processes. Government contractors supporting these agencies are also strong targets with more flexible hiring timelines.
Emphasize your quantitative and data skills upfront
Epidemiologist roles increasingly require proficiency in R, SAS, Python, or Stata for surveillance data analysis. Listing these skills prominently signals to employers that you bring specialized technical value, which strengthens the case for sponsoring your work authorization.
Align your degree field to the job description explicitly
OPT authorization is tied to your field of study. Make sure your resume and cover letter connect your epidemiology or public health degree directly to the role's core duties, especially for STEM OPT extension eligibility through qualifying degree programs.
Apply early relative to your OPT end date
H-1B cap-subject petitions must be filed by April 1 for an October 1 start. If your OPT expires before October, you need a STEM extension or a cap-exempt employer. Start conversations with employers at least six months before your authorization ends.
Research whether your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Epidemiology degrees are often listed under CIP code 26.1309, which qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your specific program's CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility, as program naming alone does not determine qualification.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship during the offer negotiation stage
Raise sponsorship directly when an employer extends an offer, not during early interviews. By that point, they've invested in you. Asking then is professional and practical, giving you the clearest signal of whether they'll support your long-term work authorization.
Epidemiologist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an epidemiologist on OPT without a STEM degree?
It depends on your specific degree program. Standard 12-month OPT is available to any F-1 student regardless of field, so a public health degree not classified under a STEM CIP code still authorizes you to work as an epidemiologist. However, only students with qualifying STEM-designated programs, often epidemiology or biostatistics degrees under CIP codes like 26.1309, are eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Check your CIP code with your DSO.
Do epidemiologist roles at universities or hospitals qualify as cap-exempt for H-1B?
Yes, in many cases. Epidemiologists employed directly by nonprofit research institutions, universities, or nonprofit hospitals affiliated with higher education institutions may qualify for cap-exempt H-1B petitions. This means your employer can file an H-1B petition at any time of year, bypassing the April lottery entirely. Confirm the institution's cap-exempt status with an immigration attorney before relying on this pathway, as affiliation structures vary.
Where can I find epidemiologist jobs that sponsor OPT or H-1B?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers open to sponsoring work authorization. Searching there gives you a focused list of epidemiologist roles without having to manually screen out employers who won't sponsor. Public health agencies, academic medical centers, and federal contractors tend to have the strongest sponsorship track records in this field.
What happens to my OPT if my epidemiologist job ends before I secure H-1B sponsorship?
If your employment ends while on post-completion OPT, you have a 60-day grace period to find new authorized employment, transfer to another visa status, or depart the United States. Your EAD card remains valid during the grace period, but you cannot work without a new qualifying employer. Act quickly: any days of unemployment also count against your total OPT period, which can affect STEM extension eligibility if you accumulate more than 90 days.
Is epidemiology considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Generally yes. Epidemiologist positions typically require at minimum a bachelor's degree in epidemiology, public health, or a closely related field, which meets the specialty occupation standard. Roles involving complex disease surveillance, clinical trial analysis, or population health modeling strengthen this classification further. If a position description allows any bachelor's degree regardless of field, that can complicate the specialty occupation argument, so job title alone does not guarantee approval.