Lab Technician Jobs for OPT Students
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.
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Get Access To All JobsA Place Where People Matter. Start your career journey with Univar Solutions! Here you can make an impact on the world around you and accelerate your career in areas that energize and excite you.
Lab Technician
Performs a variety of laboratory and research related tasks. Analyzes and tests manufactured and recycled Company products to ensure product quality and composition.
What You will Do:
- Uses laboratory equipment to analyze, measure and test chemicals to ensure quality control of products.
- Prepare solutions and standards.
- Perform calculations, routine, and specialized tests.
- Calibrate instrumentation on regular schedules and arrange for annual PM from vendors.
- Prepares, uploads, emails and prints Certificates of Analysis and Toxicological reports.
- Maintain accurate records, laboratory notebooks, and SOPs.
- Orders and monitors laboratory supplies, reagents, and standards.
- Cleans and maintains laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
- Adheres to company quality processes and written SOPs.
- Assists in resolving product quality issues in an efficient and timely manner.
What You will Need:
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Biological Sciences, or chemistry-related field preferred
- Experienced in basic laboratory procedures.
- Ability to work the scheduled shift.
- Knowledge of laboratory protocols.
- Knowledge of cGMP requirements as it pertains to FDA Regulated Products.
- Experience in SAP preferred.
Versed in the Following:
- UV-Visible and FTIR Spectrophotometers
- Gas Chromatography
- Volumetric Analysis (titration)
- pH meters
- APHA Pt-Co Colorimeter
- Density meters
- Karl Fischer Coulometric Autotitrator
- Solution preparation and standardization
- Instrument maintenance and calibration.
- SOP writing
- Microsoft Office products
Where You will Work:
Location: 2750 Southport Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29302
Pay & Benefits:
- The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s relevant experience, education, training, certifications, qualifications, and work location
- Available employee benefits include health, vision, dental coverage, along with industry-leading retirement and time off programs
What you can expect:
- Strong work/life flexibility
- To be surrounded by an inclusive team who is collaborative and committed to the achievement of the company
- To be rewarded for your contributions with a targeted annual company bonus (if applicable to your role) and annual salary reviews
- Competitive pay and benefits
Univar Solutions is a leading, global distributor of chemicals and ingredients essential to the safety, health, and wellbeing of our daily lives from life-saving medicines and vitamins to hand sanitizers and industrial materials used for cleaning, construction, and more. Our global team of more than 9,500 employees support our vision to redefine distribution and be the most valued chemical and ingredient distributor on the planet!
We offer a Total Rewards package that includes market aligned pay and incentives as well as a diverse benefits offering to support our employees’ physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.
Univar Solutions supports sustainable solutions for the world around us so that we can do our part to help keep our communities healthy, fed, clean, and safe!
We are committed to a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusion. Together, we are building a culture that acknowledges the unique experiences, perspectives and expertise of individuals and provides the development and growth opportunities to empower us to redefine our industry.
Univar Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected classification.
Univar Solutions does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms (collectively Recruiting Firms). Recruiting Firms must enter into a Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Univar Solutions prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. All searches must be initiated by Univar Solutions' Talent Acquisition team and candidates must be submitted via Applicant Tracking System (ATS) by approved vendors who have been expressly requested to make a submission for a specific job opening. No placement fees will be paid to any firm unless the aforementioned conditions have been met. Contacting our hiring managers directly is prohibited.
LI-JM1
A Place Where People Matter. Start your career journey with Univar Solutions! Here you can make an impact on the world around you and accelerate your career in areas that energize and excite you.
Lab Technician
Performs a variety of laboratory and research related tasks. Analyzes and tests manufactured and recycled Company products to ensure product quality and composition.
What You will Do:
- Uses laboratory equipment to analyze, measure and test chemicals to ensure quality control of products.
- Prepare solutions and standards.
- Perform calculations, routine, and specialized tests.
- Calibrate instrumentation on regular schedules and arrange for annual PM from vendors.
- Prepares, uploads, emails and prints Certificates of Analysis and Toxicological reports.
- Maintain accurate records, laboratory notebooks, and SOPs.
- Orders and monitors laboratory supplies, reagents, and standards.
- Cleans and maintains laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
- Adheres to company quality processes and written SOPs.
- Assists in resolving product quality issues in an efficient and timely manner.
What You will Need:
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Biological Sciences, or chemistry-related field preferred
- Experienced in basic laboratory procedures.
- Ability to work the scheduled shift.
- Knowledge of laboratory protocols.
- Knowledge of cGMP requirements as it pertains to FDA Regulated Products.
- Experience in SAP preferred.
Versed in the Following:
- UV-Visible and FTIR Spectrophotometers
- Gas Chromatography
- Volumetric Analysis (titration)
- pH meters
- APHA Pt-Co Colorimeter
- Density meters
- Karl Fischer Coulometric Autotitrator
- Solution preparation and standardization
- Instrument maintenance and calibration.
- SOP writing
- Microsoft Office products
Where You will Work:
Location: 2750 Southport Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29302
Pay & Benefits:
- The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s relevant experience, education, training, certifications, qualifications, and work location
- Available employee benefits include health, vision, dental coverage, along with industry-leading retirement and time off programs
What you can expect:
- Strong work/life flexibility
- To be surrounded by an inclusive team who is collaborative and committed to the achievement of the company
- To be rewarded for your contributions with a targeted annual company bonus (if applicable to your role) and annual salary reviews
- Competitive pay and benefits
Univar Solutions is a leading, global distributor of chemicals and ingredients essential to the safety, health, and wellbeing of our daily lives from life-saving medicines and vitamins to hand sanitizers and industrial materials used for cleaning, construction, and more. Our global team of more than 9,500 employees support our vision to redefine distribution and be the most valued chemical and ingredient distributor on the planet!
We offer a Total Rewards package that includes market aligned pay and incentives as well as a diverse benefits offering to support our employees’ physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.
Univar Solutions supports sustainable solutions for the world around us so that we can do our part to help keep our communities healthy, fed, clean, and safe!
We are committed to a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusion. Together, we are building a culture that acknowledges the unique experiences, perspectives and expertise of individuals and provides the development and growth opportunities to empower us to redefine our industry.
Univar Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected classification.
Univar Solutions does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms (collectively Recruiting Firms). Recruiting Firms must enter into a Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Univar Solutions prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. All searches must be initiated by Univar Solutions' Talent Acquisition team and candidates must be submitted via Applicant Tracking System (ATS) by approved vendors who have been expressly requested to make a submission for a specific job opening. No placement fees will be paid to any firm unless the aforementioned conditions have been met. Contacting our hiring managers directly is prohibited.
LI-JM1
How to Get Visa 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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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