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 JobsJOB SUMMARY
Why you’ll love this position
Job Location: This position will be located at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO, 65109.
Epidemiologists with the Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention work on a diverse team of professionals in a fast-paced environment where no two days are ever alike. Join our team if you are interested in an exciting and rewarding career aimed at promoting and protecting Missourians’ health.
The salary indicated represents a base pay rate. If the individual selected or the position is eligible for a pay differential (e.g., shift, security, or years of service), it will be added to the total compensation in your paycheck. A pay differential does not raise your base pay.
Responsibilities
What you'll do:
- Provide guidance, education, and support to local public health agencies, health care professionals, veterinarians, and the public regarding zoonotic and vector-borne disease case investigations and outbreaks, disease reporting, prevention and control measures, and emerging situations.
- Conduct quality assurance reviews and analyze trends for reported zoonotic and vector-borne disease cases in Missouri.
- Collaborate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL), and other local, state, and federal partners on zoonotic and vector-borne disease case and outbreak investigations.
- Assist with trainings as needed, including but not limited to ShowMe WorldCare and the Laboratory Services.
- Workshop, and with providing presentations on a variety of zoonotic and vector-borne disease topics at the request of different stakeholder groups.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
All you need for success
- Bachelor’s degree and 2 or more years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree. A Master's degree in public health or equivalent is preferred.
- Knowledge of epidemiologic techniques and methods.
- Ability to analyze and interpret epidemiologic data.
Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.
JOB DETAILS
More reasons to love this position
The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.
CONTACT DETAILS
If you have questions or require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process please contact:
Molly Baker, molly.baker@health.mo.gov
The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing and maintaining a talented workforce.
JOB SUMMARY
Why you’ll love this position
Job Location: This position will be located at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO, 65109.
Epidemiologists with the Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention work on a diverse team of professionals in a fast-paced environment where no two days are ever alike. Join our team if you are interested in an exciting and rewarding career aimed at promoting and protecting Missourians’ health.
The salary indicated represents a base pay rate. If the individual selected or the position is eligible for a pay differential (e.g., shift, security, or years of service), it will be added to the total compensation in your paycheck. A pay differential does not raise your base pay.
Responsibilities
What you'll do:
- Provide guidance, education, and support to local public health agencies, health care professionals, veterinarians, and the public regarding zoonotic and vector-borne disease case investigations and outbreaks, disease reporting, prevention and control measures, and emerging situations.
- Conduct quality assurance reviews and analyze trends for reported zoonotic and vector-borne disease cases in Missouri.
- Collaborate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL), and other local, state, and federal partners on zoonotic and vector-borne disease case and outbreak investigations.
- Assist with trainings as needed, including but not limited to ShowMe WorldCare and the Laboratory Services.
- Workshop, and with providing presentations on a variety of zoonotic and vector-borne disease topics at the request of different stakeholder groups.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
All you need for success
- Bachelor’s degree and 2 or more years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree. A Master's degree in public health or equivalent is preferred.
- Knowledge of epidemiologic techniques and methods.
- Ability to analyze and interpret epidemiologic data.
Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.
JOB DETAILS
More reasons to love this position
The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.
CONTACT DETAILS
If you have questions or require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process please contact:
Molly Baker, molly.baker@health.mo.gov
The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing and maintaining a talented workforce.
See all OPT Epidemiologist Jobs
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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.