OPT Lab Associate Jobs
Lab Associate jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related STEM field. Most positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of authorized work experience in a U.S. laboratory setting.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Baptist Health is the region's largest not-for-profit healthcare organization, with 12 hospitals, over 29,000 employees, 4,500 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. With internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences, Baptist Health is supported by philanthropy and driven by its faith-based mission of medical excellence. For 26 years, we've been named one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For, and in the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital Rankings, Baptist Health was the most awarded healthcare system in South Florida, earning 63 high-performing honors.
What truly sets us apart is our people. At Baptist Health, we create personal connections with our colleagues that go beyond the workplace, and we form meaningful relationships with patients and their families that extend beyond delivering care. Many of us have walked in our patients' shoes ourselves and that shared experience fuels our commitment to compassion and quality. Our culture is rooted in purpose, and every team member plays a part in making a positive impact – because when it comes to caring for people, we're all in.
At Baptist Health, we’re committed to supporting our employees at every stage of their journey, both personally and professionally. Our approach is rooted in a “grow our own” philosophy, designed to help our team members build meaningful, long-term careers with us, supported by benefits that make a real difference, including:
- Career growth and development opportunities, with clear pathways and ongoing support
- Comprehensive health and wellness resources that go beyond traditional benefits
- A wellness program that can help employees eliminate their medical plan deductible, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs
- Tuition reimbursement to support continued learning and advancement
- And so much more
Together, these benefits and others reflect our commitment to caring for our people, so they can build fulfilling careers with us while making a meaningful impact every day.
DESCRIPTION:
The Research Laboratory Associate is responsible for conducting special laboratory procedures for clinical trials, bio banking activities and bio specimen research pilot projects. She/he performs high complexity laboratory techniques for research purposes including, but not limited to routine isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, flow cytometry and DNA/RNA isolation. Estimated pay range for this position is $29.41 - $38.23 / hour depending on experience.
QUALIFICATIONS
Degrees:
- Bachelors.
Additional Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in Biological Sciences.
- Proficient in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) separation from human blood samples, cell culture techniques, cell purification (including immune cells) and functional assays.
- Experience in bench research laboratory setting.
- Advanced skills in tissue culture, molecular biology methods and immune assays.
- Strong ability to work independently, efficiently and productively in a fast-paced and diverse team environment.
- Proficiency with standard office and scientific software's, i.e. Power Point, Excel, Graphpad Prism, etc.
Minimum Required Experience: 2 Years
EOE, including disability/vets
INTRODUCTION
Baptist Health is the region's largest not-for-profit healthcare organization, with 12 hospitals, over 29,000 employees, 4,500 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. With internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences, Baptist Health is supported by philanthropy and driven by its faith-based mission of medical excellence. For 26 years, we've been named one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For, and in the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital Rankings, Baptist Health was the most awarded healthcare system in South Florida, earning 63 high-performing honors.
What truly sets us apart is our people. At Baptist Health, we create personal connections with our colleagues that go beyond the workplace, and we form meaningful relationships with patients and their families that extend beyond delivering care. Many of us have walked in our patients' shoes ourselves and that shared experience fuels our commitment to compassion and quality. Our culture is rooted in purpose, and every team member plays a part in making a positive impact – because when it comes to caring for people, we're all in.
At Baptist Health, we’re committed to supporting our employees at every stage of their journey, both personally and professionally. Our approach is rooted in a “grow our own” philosophy, designed to help our team members build meaningful, long-term careers with us, supported by benefits that make a real difference, including:
- Career growth and development opportunities, with clear pathways and ongoing support
- Comprehensive health and wellness resources that go beyond traditional benefits
- A wellness program that can help employees eliminate their medical plan deductible, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs
- Tuition reimbursement to support continued learning and advancement
- And so much more
Together, these benefits and others reflect our commitment to caring for our people, so they can build fulfilling careers with us while making a meaningful impact every day.
DESCRIPTION:
The Research Laboratory Associate is responsible for conducting special laboratory procedures for clinical trials, bio banking activities and bio specimen research pilot projects. She/he performs high complexity laboratory techniques for research purposes including, but not limited to routine isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, flow cytometry and DNA/RNA isolation. Estimated pay range for this position is $29.41 - $38.23 / hour depending on experience.
QUALIFICATIONS
Degrees:
- Bachelors.
Additional Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in Biological Sciences.
- Proficient in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) separation from human blood samples, cell culture techniques, cell purification (including immune cells) and functional assays.
- Experience in bench research laboratory setting.
- Advanced skills in tissue culture, molecular biology methods and immune assays.
- Strong ability to work independently, efficiently and productively in a fast-paced and diverse team environment.
- Proficiency with standard office and scientific software's, i.e. Power Point, Excel, Graphpad Prism, etc.
Minimum Required Experience: 2 Years
EOE, including disability/vets
See all 1,658+ OPT Lab Associate Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Lab Associate
Lead with your degree field, not just your title
Hiring managers assess OPT eligibility by your CIP code, not your job title. Clarify upfront that your degree is in a qualifying STEM field, biology, chemistry, or biochemistry, so employers can confirm STEM OPT extension eligibility without guesswork.
Address the 24-month STEM extension early
Many lab employers are unfamiliar with OPT timelines. Mention in your cover letter that your STEM degree qualifies you for up to three years of OPT work authorization. This reassures hiring teams that you're not a short-term hire.
Target E-Verify registered employers
The STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Research this before applying. Pharmaceutical companies, university labs, and large biotech firms like Thermo Fisher and Labcorp are almost always already enrolled.
Highlight hands-on lab skills in concrete terms
Generic resumes get filtered out fast. List specific techniques you've performed: PCR, ELISA, cell culture, HPLC, or microscopy. Lab managers hire on technical fit, and specificity signals real bench experience rather than classroom familiarity.
Prepare your DSO to issue an updated I-20 quickly
Some employers want to see your I-20 before extending an offer. Coordinate with your Designated School Official in advance so they can issue an updated document quickly. Delays here have cost candidates offers at time-sensitive labs.
Ask about the training plan requirement during interviews
STEM OPT requires a formal training plan (Form I-983) co-signed by the employer. Asking about this during the interview signals that you understand the process and reduces the administrative surprise for employers approving your extension.
Lab Associate OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Lab Associate jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Lab Associate roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or microbiology. The job must also be directly related to your degree. Your employer must be registered with E-Verify, and you'll need to complete Form I-983 as a formal training plan with them.
How do I find Lab Associate employers that are willing to hire OPT students?
Browse Lab Associate listings on Migrate Mate, which is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers open to sponsoring or hiring on work authorization. Pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and university research labs are among the most OPT-friendly in this field, as they routinely work with international researchers and understand the documentation requirements.
What documents will a Lab Associate employer ask to verify my OPT status?
Expect to provide your EAD card, your most recent I-20 with the OPT authorization page, and your passport. Some employers also request your I-94 arrival record and a copy of your SEVIS confirmation. Have digital copies ready before your first day, as HR teams at regulated labs often need these for compliance audits and E-Verify enrollment.
Can I work part-time as a Lab Associate on OPT?
Yes, but with an important constraint. During your standard OPT period, USCIS requires you to work at least 20 hours per week to maintain valid status and avoid gaps counted against your unemployment limit. During the STEM OPT extension, you must work a minimum of 20 hours per week as well, and the training plan must reflect those hours accurately.
What happens if my OPT expires before my employer can sponsor an H-1B?
If you've applied for the STEM OPT extension before your initial OPT expires, you're covered by an automatic 180-day cap-gap while USCIS processes the application. If your employer wants to sponsor an H-1B visa, the annual lottery opens in March for an October 1 start date, so timing your STEM extension to bridge that gap is critical. An immigration attorney can help you map the exact sequence.