Geneticist Jobs for OPT Students
Geneticist roles in research hospitals, biotech firms, and university labs regularly hire F-1 OPT students with degrees in genetics, molecular biology, or genomics. Your 12-month OPT clock starts on your EAD start date, and STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your degree's CIP code qualifying under the STEM designated list.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Quantitative Geneticist at URUS is responsible for producing industry-leading bovine genetics through innovative quantitative genetics analysis and technical expertise. This role involves development of innovative approaches to genetic advancement with hands-on data analysis and analytical tasks to support scientific and operational excellence with operational goals to deploy genomic and genetic selection tools within the PEAK breeding program.
Reporting to the Chief Science Officer of Acceligen, who leads the team in the Genetic Advancement and Trait Discovery as part of the Innovation group at URUS. The Quantitative Geneticist will ideally be based in Madison, WI.
Responsibilities
Research and Development:
- Support and develop proprietary genetic and phenotypic evaluations and/or indices using appropriate models and software.
- Utilize genomic data and/or machine learning to enhance prediction models.
- Collect, organize, and analyze large datasets using programming languages like R, Python, or Fortran.
- Design and refine software pipelines that empower end-users to work independently.
- Use data-driven analysis to support project decision-making and breeding program optimization.
- Identify opportunities for innovation by actively following scientific developments in genetics, translating them into practical applications for URUS.
- Ensure accuracy, reliability, and timely delivery of research outputs.
Strategic Communication and Planning:
- Prepare materials for URUS internal and external education channels.
- Report on project status promptly and professionally.
- Contribute to long-term research and innovation strategies.
- Actively participate in team and cross-functional meetings.
- Attend scientific, technical, and commercial events to support knowledge exchange and visibility.
Technical and Operational Support:
- Provide technical and operational support to URUS breeding programs to improve output and efficiency.
- Interpret genetic evaluation results and communicate upcoming changes.
- Monitor and troubleshoot trends in genetic rankings and performance data.
- Maintain up-to-date professional and technical expertise relevant to genetics and operations.
- Deploy genetic diversity management tools within the breeding program.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Ph.D. in Breeding and Genetics, Population Genetics, Quantitative Genetics, Plant Genetics, or a related field.
- Knowledge of dairy or beef cattle production preferred.
- Technical and Scientific Expertise
- Demonstrated experience with genomic evaluation processes, including data ingestion and integration, genotype imputation, variance component estimation, and breeding value prediction.
- Strong background in statistical analysis of large and complex datasets.
- Knowledge of genome-wide association analysis (GWAS).
- Familiarity with dairy or beef cattle production systems (preferred).
- Programming and Software Skills
- Proficiency with genetic evaluation and statistical software such as ASReml, BLUPF90, Fortran, R, Python, and SQL.
- Experience working in cloud environments, particularly Microsoft Azure and Azure Databricks.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
- Excellent communication skills with fluency in English.
- Ability to build strong, effective relationships across teams and organizational levels.
- Skilled at engaging with stakeholders from entry-level employees to executive leadership.
- Strong interpersonal, analytical, and decision-making abilities.
- Effective time-management skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities.
- Intellectual curiosity with a commitment to continuous learning and identifying new opportunities.
- Willingness to travel occasionally.
INTRODUCTION
The Quantitative Geneticist at URUS is responsible for producing industry-leading bovine genetics through innovative quantitative genetics analysis and technical expertise. This role involves development of innovative approaches to genetic advancement with hands-on data analysis and analytical tasks to support scientific and operational excellence with operational goals to deploy genomic and genetic selection tools within the PEAK breeding program.
Reporting to the Chief Science Officer of Acceligen, who leads the team in the Genetic Advancement and Trait Discovery as part of the Innovation group at URUS. The Quantitative Geneticist will ideally be based in Madison, WI.
Responsibilities
Research and Development:
- Support and develop proprietary genetic and phenotypic evaluations and/or indices using appropriate models and software.
- Utilize genomic data and/or machine learning to enhance prediction models.
- Collect, organize, and analyze large datasets using programming languages like R, Python, or Fortran.
- Design and refine software pipelines that empower end-users to work independently.
- Use data-driven analysis to support project decision-making and breeding program optimization.
- Identify opportunities for innovation by actively following scientific developments in genetics, translating them into practical applications for URUS.
- Ensure accuracy, reliability, and timely delivery of research outputs.
Strategic Communication and Planning:
- Prepare materials for URUS internal and external education channels.
- Report on project status promptly and professionally.
- Contribute to long-term research and innovation strategies.
- Actively participate in team and cross-functional meetings.
- Attend scientific, technical, and commercial events to support knowledge exchange and visibility.
Technical and Operational Support:
- Provide technical and operational support to URUS breeding programs to improve output and efficiency.
- Interpret genetic evaluation results and communicate upcoming changes.
- Monitor and troubleshoot trends in genetic rankings and performance data.
- Maintain up-to-date professional and technical expertise relevant to genetics and operations.
- Deploy genetic diversity management tools within the breeding program.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Ph.D. in Breeding and Genetics, Population Genetics, Quantitative Genetics, Plant Genetics, or a related field.
- Knowledge of dairy or beef cattle production preferred.
- Technical and Scientific Expertise
- Demonstrated experience with genomic evaluation processes, including data ingestion and integration, genotype imputation, variance component estimation, and breeding value prediction.
- Strong background in statistical analysis of large and complex datasets.
- Knowledge of genome-wide association analysis (GWAS).
- Familiarity with dairy or beef cattle production systems (preferred).
- Programming and Software Skills
- Proficiency with genetic evaluation and statistical software such as ASReml, BLUPF90, Fortran, R, Python, and SQL.
- Experience working in cloud environments, particularly Microsoft Azure and Azure Databricks.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
- Excellent communication skills with fluency in English.
- Ability to build strong, effective relationships across teams and organizational levels.
- Skilled at engaging with stakeholders from entry-level employees to executive leadership.
- Strong interpersonal, analytical, and decision-making abilities.
- Effective time-management skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities.
- Intellectual curiosity with a commitment to continuous learning and identifying new opportunities.
- Willingness to travel occasionally.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Geneticist Jobs
Verify your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Genetics and molecular biology degrees typically carry STEM-designated CIP codes, but confirm your exact program code with your DSO before applying. A qualifying code unlocks a 24-month extension and significantly broadens your employer options.
Target employers enrolled in E-Verify
STEM OPT employers must be enrolled in E-Verify before you can extend your authorization. Filter your search to labs, biotech firms, and research hospitals that already participate, so you don't lose time after an offer.
Research prevailing wages using OFLC Wage Search
Geneticist prevailing wages vary by SOC code and geography. Pull the DOL wage level for your specific role and location before negotiating. Your offer must meet or exceed the prevailing wage for an employer to file a compliant LCA.
Flag your genomics or bioinformatics specialization early
Employers filing H-1B petitions for geneticists often distinguish between wet-lab and computational roles. Make your specialization explicit on your CV and in early conversations so the employer's counsel drafts the petition around the correct SOC code and job duties.
Use Migrate Mate to connect with sponsoring employers
Finding labs and biotech firms with active H-1B filing history takes time to do manually. Migrate Mate surfaces geneticist roles at employers with documented sponsorship activity, so you're applying where an offer can realistically convert to long-term status.
Geneticist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Geneticist JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a geneticist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Geneticist positions typically require at minimum a bachelor's degree in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a directly related field, which meets USCIS's specialty occupation definition. The O*NET profile for geneticists lists a doctoral degree as the most common entry-level credential, which strengthens the specialty occupation argument further. Your offer letter and job duties must reflect that degree-level knowledge is required, not merely preferred.
Can I work as a geneticist on OPT before my employer files an H-1B petition?
Yes, as long as your EAD is valid and your role is directly related to your degree field. OPT doesn't require employer sponsorship, so you can start work the moment your EAD is active. If your degree qualifies for STEM OPT, you can extend authorization by 24 months while your employer pursues H-1B sponsorship through the annual lottery.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my research position is grant-funded and the grant ends?
Losing your position triggers the OPT unemployment clock. You're allowed a maximum of 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT and 150 days during the STEM OPT extension period, cumulative across both periods. If you exceed those limits, your F-1 status is jeopardized. Report any employment changes to your DSO immediately and start your next job search right away.
How do I find geneticist employers who have sponsored visas before?
Employers with a history of sponsoring geneticists or research scientists have filed Labor Condition Applications with the DOL, which are part of the public OFLC disclosure data. You can cross-reference that data to identify labs, biotech companies, and academic medical centers with active sponsorship patterns. Migrate Mate aggregates this information so you can search geneticist roles filtered by employers with documented H-1B filing activity.
Does my genetics degree CIP code automatically qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Not automatically. Your school must list your specific program's CIP code on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Common qualifying codes include 26.0806 (Human and Medical Genetics) and 26.0204 (Molecular Biology), but the exact code assigned by your institution determines eligibility. Your DSO can confirm your program's CIP code and whether it appears on the current designated list before you apply.
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