OPT Laboratory Manager Jobs
Laboratory Manager roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related sciences. Most positions require hands-on lab experience, which aligns well with STEM OPT extensions. Your 12-month standard OPT window, extendable to 36 months under STEM OPT, gives employers a meaningful runway.
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UCI Health is one of California's largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established on July 1, 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,461-bed health system that includes UCI Health - Orange, UCI Health - Irvine, four Community Network hospitals and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties.
As Orange County’s only academic health systems, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center based in the county, the region’s only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, American College of Emergency Physicians Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County through excellence in patient care, research and medical education.
Position Summary:
Provides professional and technical skills and knowledge to ensure accurate and timely performance of clinical laboratory tests and reporting of results to responsible party. Performs other duties as requested. Reports to the Lab Manager and Director of Laboratory Services.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to provide accurate, timely testing of clinical specimens, preferably in multiple laboratory disciplines.
- Good clinical judgment and problem solving abilities.
- Possesses skills in leadership.
- Current California Laboratory Scientist or Specialty License. One-year internship in California approved program or equivalent.
- Hospital Mandatory Education Requirements: Orientation, Environment of Care, OSHA, Infection Control, Abuse/ Neglect, and Ethics, Tuberculosis Screening, Licensure renewal.
- Must possess the skill, knowledge and ability essential to the successful performance of assigned duties.
- Must demonstrate customer service skills appropriate to the job.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Ability to maintain a work pace appropriate to the workload.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across the Health System.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Prefer 2 years of previous clinical laboratory experience, preferably in a hospital setting.
- Bachelor's degree in biological sciences preferred.
- Knowledge of University and Medical Center organizations, policies, procedures and forms.
TOTAL REWARDS
We offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:
- Background Check and Live Scan
- Employment Misconduct*
- Legal Right to Work in the United States
- Vaccination Policies
- Smoking and Tobacco Policy
- Drug Free Environment
*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
- E-Verify
- Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page: https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php
CLOSING STATEMENT:
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact UCI's Employee Experience Center (EEC) at eec@uci.edu or at (949) 824-0500, Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Overview:
UCI Health is one of California's largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established on July 1, 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,461-bed health system that includes UCI Health - Orange, UCI Health - Irvine, four Community Network hospitals and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties.
As Orange County’s only academic health systems, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center based in the county, the region’s only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, American College of Emergency Physicians Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County through excellence in patient care, research and medical education.
Position Summary:
Provides professional and technical skills and knowledge to ensure accurate and timely performance of clinical laboratory tests and reporting of results to responsible party. Performs other duties as requested. Reports to the Lab Manager and Director of Laboratory Services.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to provide accurate, timely testing of clinical specimens, preferably in multiple laboratory disciplines.
- Good clinical judgment and problem solving abilities.
- Possesses skills in leadership.
- Current California Laboratory Scientist or Specialty License. One-year internship in California approved program or equivalent.
- Hospital Mandatory Education Requirements: Orientation, Environment of Care, OSHA, Infection Control, Abuse/ Neglect, and Ethics, Tuberculosis Screening, Licensure renewal.
- Must possess the skill, knowledge and ability essential to the successful performance of assigned duties.
- Must demonstrate customer service skills appropriate to the job.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Ability to maintain a work pace appropriate to the workload.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across the Health System.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Prefer 2 years of previous clinical laboratory experience, preferably in a hospital setting.
- Bachelor's degree in biological sciences preferred.
- Knowledge of University and Medical Center organizations, policies, procedures and forms.
TOTAL REWARDS
We offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:
- Background Check and Live Scan
- Employment Misconduct*
- Legal Right to Work in the United States
- Vaccination Policies
- Smoking and Tobacco Policy
- Drug Free Environment
*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
- E-Verify
- Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page: https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php
CLOSING STATEMENT:
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact UCI's Employee Experience Center (EEC) at eec@uci.edu or at (949) 824-0500, Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
See all 1,260+ OPT Laboratory Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Laboratory Manager
Lead with your STEM OPT timeline upfront
Tell employers early that your STEM degree qualifies you for a 36-month OPT period. Many lab hiring managers don't know this distinction. Framing your authorization as a three-year window removes the common objection that OPT students are a short-term hire.
Highlight lab-specific technical credentials
Certifications in biosafety, chemical hygiene, or equipment calibration strengthen your application considerably. Employers hiring Laboratory Managers want proof of compliance knowledge, not just bench experience. List any safety training, SOPs you've authored, or audits you've supported directly on your resume.
Target research institutions and university labs
Academic and government research labs are experienced with OPT and CPT work authorization. They hire international students regularly and often have designated HR contacts who understand DSO reporting requirements, making the authorization conversation significantly smoother than with small private employers.
Show evidence of supervisory or coordination experience
Laboratory Manager roles require managing staff, budgets, and compliance, not just running experiments. Document any experience supervising lab assistants, ordering supplies, or coordinating between research teams. This differentiates you from candidates with strong technical skills but no operational background.
Understand your reporting obligations before interviews
OPT requires you to report employer changes to your DSO within 10 days. Know this process thoroughly so you can answer employer questions about your status confidently. Employers who are hesitant about OPT often relax when a candidate demonstrates they understand the compliance requirements.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship during the offer stage, not before
Raise the H-1B visa question after you have demonstrated your value through interviews. Laboratory Manager is a specialty occupation that qualifies for H-1B, so the pathway exists. Bringing it up too early can stall conversations before employers have seen what you bring to the role.
Laboratory Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Laboratory Manager role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your underlying degree, not the job title itself. If your degree is in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, or another STEM field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, and your Laboratory Manager role is directly related to that field, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your DSO must verify the connection between your degree and your job duties.
Can I work as a Laboratory Manager on standard 12-month OPT?
Yes. Laboratory Manager is a post-completion OPT-eligible position as long as the role is directly related to your degree field and you maintain valid OPT authorization throughout employment. You must report the employer to your DSO within 10 days of starting. If your degree qualifies as STEM, you can apply for the extension before your standard OPT expires to stay authorized longer.
Do Laboratory Manager employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Many do, particularly in pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, research hospitals, and university settings. Laboratory Manager meets the specialty occupation standard because the role typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific scientific field. Employers in regulated industries, such as those operating under FDA or EPA oversight, are generally more familiar with H-1B sponsorship than smaller private labs.
How do I find Laboratory Manager jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the best place to start. The platform is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers who are open to sponsoring or hiring international candidates. Searching there saves you from applying to positions where OPT status will immediately disqualify you, which is a common and time-consuming problem when using general job search platforms.
What happens to my OPT status if I'm between Laboratory Manager jobs?
You have a 90-day cumulative unemployment allowance during standard OPT, which is reduced to 60 days if you're on STEM OPT extension. Unemployment is tracked from your OPT start date, not from when you leave a job. If you exceed the limit, your OPT is automatically invalidated. Actively documenting your job search and maintaining contact with your DSO during any gap is essential.