OPT Geneticist Jobs
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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The Department of Pathology at Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced M.D. or Ph.D. Laboratory Geneticist to join the Division of Genomic Medicine as a full-time faculty. The successful candidate will have experience in human genetics, genomics, and computational biology and play a key role in expansion and implementation of genomic testing services in patient care. This faculty position offers the opportunity to contribute to the clinical, academic, and research missions of our department while working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of physicians, pathologists, scientists, genetic counselors, and trainees. The faculty member will join an experienced team and an expanding clinical genomics program at TCH contributing to implementation of genomic testing, test reporting strategies, bio-banking of human specimens, as well as genetic association and precision medicine studies. The successful candidate will hold an appointment as Assistant Professor (tenure track) in the Department of Pathology & Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM).
TCH is the nation's largest children's hospital and is ranked No. 3 in U.S. News and World Report's Honor Roll of Best Children's Hospitals. Located in Texas Medical Center, the largest medical campus in the world, TCH and BCM offer exceptional opportunities for collaboration and research activities across numerous institutions on the campus.
Job Duties
- Providing clinical sign-out and interpretation of genetic and genomic testing results in constitutional genetics and oncology testing in a CAP/CLIA-certified multiplatform diagnostic service, including whole exome and genome sequencing, next-generation sequencing DNA and RNA panels, copy number profiling cytogenomic arrays for constitutional and oncology, and targeted molecular testing.
- Collaborate with Divisional faculty, clinical colleagues, and institutional leadership to advance the development of genomic testing and integration of genomics into patient care.
- Participate in teaching and mentoring medical students, residents, fellows, and laboratory staff as an active faculty member in the ACGME-certified Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship and Pathology Residency programs at BCM.
- Engage in scholarly and/or clinical research activities, with opportunities for academic advancement.
- Contribute to quality assurance, quality control, and continuous improvement initiatives for genetic and genomic laboratory services.
Minimum Qualifications
- MD, DO or PhD (or equivalent) in Genetics, Pathology, or a related field.
- Board certification or eligibility in Laboratory Genetics and Genomics, Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Molecular Genetic Pathology, or equivalent certification(s).
- Strong knowledge of clinical laboratory operations, regulatory requirements, and quality management.
- Prior experience in academic or hospital-based practice preferred.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and collaborative skills.
Academic Appointment
This position will carry a faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor level in the Department of Pathology & Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine. Joint appointments in other basic science or clinical departments are available for individuals with broader academic interests. Academic rank and salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications.
Application Process
Candidates must complete this employment application to be considered and should also send their curriculum vitae, a personal statement of professional goals, and three references to:
Dolores López-Terrada, MD, PhD
Professor of Pathology and Pediatrics
Baylor College of Medicine
Division Chief, Genomic Medicine
Texas Children’s Hospital Department of Pathology
6621 Fannin St., AB1195
Houston, TX 77030
Dhterrad@texaschildrens.org
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a leading academic hospital committed to excellence in patient care, education, and research.
- Collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment with experts across clinical specialties.
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities, clinical genomics infrastructure, and research opportunities.
- Competitive compensation and benefits package.
Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.
Summary
The Department of Pathology at Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced M.D. or Ph.D. Laboratory Geneticist to join the Division of Genomic Medicine as a full-time faculty. The successful candidate will have experience in human genetics, genomics, and computational biology and play a key role in expansion and implementation of genomic testing services in patient care. This faculty position offers the opportunity to contribute to the clinical, academic, and research missions of our department while working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of physicians, pathologists, scientists, genetic counselors, and trainees. The faculty member will join an experienced team and an expanding clinical genomics program at TCH contributing to implementation of genomic testing, test reporting strategies, bio-banking of human specimens, as well as genetic association and precision medicine studies. The successful candidate will hold an appointment as Assistant Professor (tenure track) in the Department of Pathology & Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM).
TCH is the nation's largest children's hospital and is ranked No. 3 in U.S. News and World Report's Honor Roll of Best Children's Hospitals. Located in Texas Medical Center, the largest medical campus in the world, TCH and BCM offer exceptional opportunities for collaboration and research activities across numerous institutions on the campus.
Job Duties
- Providing clinical sign-out and interpretation of genetic and genomic testing results in constitutional genetics and oncology testing in a CAP/CLIA-certified multiplatform diagnostic service, including whole exome and genome sequencing, next-generation sequencing DNA and RNA panels, copy number profiling cytogenomic arrays for constitutional and oncology, and targeted molecular testing.
- Collaborate with Divisional faculty, clinical colleagues, and institutional leadership to advance the development of genomic testing and integration of genomics into patient care.
- Participate in teaching and mentoring medical students, residents, fellows, and laboratory staff as an active faculty member in the ACGME-certified Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship and Pathology Residency programs at BCM.
- Engage in scholarly and/or clinical research activities, with opportunities for academic advancement.
- Contribute to quality assurance, quality control, and continuous improvement initiatives for genetic and genomic laboratory services.
Minimum Qualifications
- MD, DO or PhD (or equivalent) in Genetics, Pathology, or a related field.
- Board certification or eligibility in Laboratory Genetics and Genomics, Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Molecular Genetic Pathology, or equivalent certification(s).
- Strong knowledge of clinical laboratory operations, regulatory requirements, and quality management.
- Prior experience in academic or hospital-based practice preferred.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and collaborative skills.
Academic Appointment
This position will carry a faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor level in the Department of Pathology & Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine. Joint appointments in other basic science or clinical departments are available for individuals with broader academic interests. Academic rank and salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications.
Application Process
Candidates must complete this employment application to be considered and should also send their curriculum vitae, a personal statement of professional goals, and three references to:
Dolores López-Terrada, MD, PhD
Professor of Pathology and Pediatrics
Baylor College of Medicine
Division Chief, Genomic Medicine
Texas Children’s Hospital Department of Pathology
6621 Fannin St., AB1195
Houston, TX 77030
Dhterrad@texaschildrens.org
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a leading academic hospital committed to excellence in patient care, education, and research.
- Collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment with experts across clinical specialties.
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities, clinical genomics infrastructure, and research opportunities.
- Competitive compensation and benefits package.
Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.
See all 73+ OPT Geneticist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Geneticist
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 visa 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.
File your STEM OPT extension before your EAD expires
USCIS recommends filing at least 90 days before your current EAD end date. If you file on time and your OPT is still valid when it expires, you get a 180-day automatic cap-gap extension while USCIS processes your application.
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 OPT: Frequently 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.