OPT Lab Technician Jobs
Lab Technician jobs on OPT are well-suited for F-1 students with degrees in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related lab science. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to three years of authorized work experience in a hands-on scientific environment.
See All OPT Lab Technician JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 320+ Lab Technician jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 320+ Lab Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Lab Technician roles.
Get Access To All JobsABOUT ABBVIE
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Technician IV - Cell Culture (Sunday - Thursday, First Shift, 8:30 AM - 5 PM EST)
Description Details
This position is in the Cell Culture Group of the Science and Technology Biologics Development and Launch (BDL) department at AbbVie Bioresearch Center in Worcester, MA. The cell culture group is responsible for the development, scale-up, and transfer of cell culture manufacturing processes for the production of biologics in pre-clinical and clinical stages to enable the development of AbbVie’s robust pipeline. The candidate will be involved with all aspects of laboratory operations to support cell culture process development at bench scale. Under the supervision of a scientist, the candidate’s responsibilities will include:
- Often acts as a facilitator and team leader.
- Bioreactor Support Activities:
- Support for 100+ 3 L bioreactor systems
- Setup, calibration, troubleshooting and breakdown/decontamination
- Track & perform required maintenance
-
Perform routine sampling of ongoing cultures
-
Media Preparation Activities:
- Prepare stock solutions and media preps of cell culture media
-
Filter sterilize and aliquot solutions aseptically
-
General Lab Support Activities:
- Inventory, order, receive, and stock appropriate levels of raw materials and lab consumables
- Perform daily lab equipment calibration/verification checks– including pH meters, cell counters and biochemical analyzers
- Perform routine lab equipment/glassware cleaning and maintenance activities
-
Data acquisition in paper and electronic systems
-
Weekend Support Activities:
- Independently execute weekend requests for sampling and feeding of ongoing cultures
- Communicate issues to experiment owners and work to resolve issues
- Sunday team lead
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in Biotechnology, Biology or related field + 3 years experience in a pharmaceutical industrial laboratory setting.
- Strong attention to detail and work ethic
- Basic understanding of and interest in cell biology
- Works well as part of a team
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
-
The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
-
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
-
This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit:
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
ABOUT ABBVIE
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Technician IV - Cell Culture (Sunday - Thursday, First Shift, 8:30 AM - 5 PM EST)
Description Details
This position is in the Cell Culture Group of the Science and Technology Biologics Development and Launch (BDL) department at AbbVie Bioresearch Center in Worcester, MA. The cell culture group is responsible for the development, scale-up, and transfer of cell culture manufacturing processes for the production of biologics in pre-clinical and clinical stages to enable the development of AbbVie’s robust pipeline. The candidate will be involved with all aspects of laboratory operations to support cell culture process development at bench scale. Under the supervision of a scientist, the candidate’s responsibilities will include:
- Often acts as a facilitator and team leader.
- Bioreactor Support Activities:
- Support for 100+ 3 L bioreactor systems
- Setup, calibration, troubleshooting and breakdown/decontamination
- Track & perform required maintenance
-
Perform routine sampling of ongoing cultures
-
Media Preparation Activities:
- Prepare stock solutions and media preps of cell culture media
-
Filter sterilize and aliquot solutions aseptically
-
General Lab Support Activities:
- Inventory, order, receive, and stock appropriate levels of raw materials and lab consumables
- Perform daily lab equipment calibration/verification checks– including pH meters, cell counters and biochemical analyzers
- Perform routine lab equipment/glassware cleaning and maintenance activities
-
Data acquisition in paper and electronic systems
-
Weekend Support Activities:
- Independently execute weekend requests for sampling and feeding of ongoing cultures
- Communicate issues to experiment owners and work to resolve issues
- Sunday team lead
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in Biotechnology, Biology or related field + 3 years experience in a pharmaceutical industrial laboratory setting.
- Strong attention to detail and work ethic
- Basic understanding of and interest in cell biology
- Works well as part of a team
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
-
The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
-
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
-
This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit:
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
See all 320+ OPT Lab Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Lab Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Lab Technician
Lead with your lab-specific technical skills
Hiring managers scan for concrete skills: PCR, cell culture, HPLC, spectroscopy, pipetting, or GMP compliance. List the exact techniques and instruments you've used in coursework or research. Generic descriptions lose out to specific, verifiable lab competencies.
Confirm your role qualifies as STEM OPT
Lab Technician positions typically fall under STEM CIP codes in biology, chemistry, or biomedical sciences. Verify your degree's CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer to confirm you're eligible for the 24-month STEM extension.
Target employers with active E-Verify enrollment
STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Before investing time in an application, check the employer's website or HR materials to confirm E-Verify participation. This single step eliminates wasted effort on ineligible employers.
Quantify your lab experience in your resume
Rather than listing duties, describe outcomes: samples processed per week, accuracy rates, or protocols you helped develop. Employers in regulated industries like pharma and biotech expect precision. Numbers demonstrate that precision better than responsibilities ever will.
Address OPT proactively in your cover letter
Briefly state your authorization type, your OPT end date, and that you're eligible for a STEM extension if applicable. This removes uncertainty for hiring managers and signals that you understand your own work authorization clearly and completely.
Focus on industries with high sponsorship track records
Pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, hospital systems, and university research labs regularly hire OPT workers. These employers have existing compliance infrastructure for visa sponsorship and are far more likely to support your long-term authorization needs.
Lab Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Lab Technician jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Lab Technician roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your underlying degree falls under an approved STEM CIP code in fields like biology, chemistry, or biomedical engineering. You'll also need your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify and to sign a formal training plan with your DSO. Confirm your CIP code with your international student office before accepting any offer.
What types of employers hire Lab Technicians on OPT?
Pharmaceutical manufacturers, contract research organizations, hospital and clinical labs, environmental testing facilities, and university research departments are among the most active employers of Lab Technicians on OPT. These industries hire for both entry-level bench roles and more specialized positions in quality control, analytical chemistry, and microbiology. Browse open roles on Migrate Mate to see which employers are actively seeking OPT-authorized candidates.
Can I work as a Lab Technician on OPT if my degree is in a related but not identical field?
OPT requires your job to be directly related to your field of study, but that relationship doesn't need to be exact. A degree in biochemistry can support a Lab Technician role in a microbiology lab, for example, as long as the work draws on your training. Your DSO makes the initial judgment on whether the connection is sufficient, so discuss any borderline cases with them before accepting a position.
How much notice do I need to give my DSO before starting a Lab Technician job on OPT?
You must report any new job to your DSO within 10 days of starting work, including the employer name, address, and job title. For initial OPT authorization, USCIS recommends applying at least 90 days before your program end date since processing can take several weeks. Starting a job before your EAD card arrives and your OPT start date is reached is a serious status violation, so timing matters.
What happens to my OPT status if my Lab Technician contract ends early?
If your employment ends before your OPT period expires, you enter a cumulative unemployment clock. Standard OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment total. STEM OPT extension holders get up to 150 cumulative days. Exceeding those limits ends your authorized stay. Report any job changes to your DSO promptly and begin your next job search immediately to protect your status.